In 1980 millions of people were touched by the courage and determination of a young Canadian man named Terry Fox. Although crippled by the terrible disease of cancer, he was determined to run from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Vancouver, British Columbia, to raise money for cancer research. A few miles east of Thunder Bay, Ontario, stands a very impressive monument marking the end of Terry’s “Marathon of Hope.” Anyone traveling the thousands of miles of hilly country between that point and St. John’s cannot help but be amazed at the courage and determination of this young man with an artificial leg. This year, 2005, the Royal Canadian Mint has minted a new dollar coin in Terry’s honor.
We can think back to others in the past who, through research and determination, conquered diseases such as tuberculosis, smallpox and polio. Although Terry was not able to finish what he set out to do, the millions of dollars that he raised have gone far in helping to find a cure for this disease.
There is, however, a disease far worse than cancer for which man’s research will never find a cure. Everyone has this disease, and it is fatal. It is called sin. But there is a cure provided by a loving God for anyone who will accept it. The determination of Terry Fox reminds us of the deep love and determination of the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross to provide a cure for the disease of sin. “He [Jesus] 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). A man would be foolish if a cure for cancer were found and he refused to accept it. But are you ignoring or refusing to accept God’s cure for the disease of sin? “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Have you accepted the cure?
ML-10/30/2005