During the winter of 1944-1945, I was in the U.S. Army, 503 Engineers, stationed in Germany. This was near the end of World War II. Our job was to build bridges so the troops could cross the rivers. Being in Headquarters Platoon, my job was to keep the trucks and other vehicles in running order. Although the other platoons built the bridges, we had to take our turn guarding them.
On this particular afternoon I checked the bulletin board and found my name listed for guard duty that night. It was a cold, wintry day and I did not have a warm coat. I headed right over to the supply room to get one so I could keep warm while on guard duty.
When I came out of the supply room to get on the guard truck, it had already left! Turning to some soldiers standing nearby, I asked, “What happened? Where’s the guard truck? I’m supposed to be on it.”
They answered, “Sergeant McGraw took your place. He wanted to go.”
This was not the first time a friend had taken my place. Nearly 2000 years ago the Lord Jesus Christ took my place on Calvary’s cross and bore all the punishment that I deserve for my sins. He took my place because He loves me. Sergeant McGraw was a good friend, but he did not take my place on guard duty because he was my friend; he took it because he wanted excitement.
I was glad not to have to go on guard duty that cold night.
The next day I looked around for Sergeant McGraw, but I couldn’t find him. When I asked where he was I was told that while he was standing guard that night an artillery shell came in close, and he lost an arm. Not only did he take my place on guard duty, but he was wounded in the line of duty. Had he known what taking my place was going to cost him, he probably would not have gone.
I want to tell you something amazing and hard for me to understand. My Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, took my place at Calvary, knowing exactly what it was going to cost Him His life. It was no accident. This was God’s plan. And the Lord Jesus, God’s beloved Son, loved not only His Father and obeyed Him, but he loved me so much that He would die that terrible death for me. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5). Such love cannot be explained; it can only be accepted.
Sergeant McGraw did not lose his life. He was taken to the hospital and then he was sent back to his home in Texas. I never saw him again.
But I am going to see my Saviour who died for me. After He died and was buried, God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Today He is living in heaven, sitting on the right hand of God. I am going to spend eternity with Him in heaven. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions.... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-31Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1‑3).
This same Jesus loves you just as much as He loves me. Will you believe that He died in your place for your sins? Will you accept Him as your Saviour, just as I have? “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [sacrifice] for our sins.” 1 John 4:1010Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10). “Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that... we should live together with Him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9,109For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9‑10).
Can you say “He took my place”?
ML-05/24/1992