“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, the 2016 film Hacksaw Ridge tells the true-life story of Desmond Thomas Doss who became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor. A youthful Doss decides that he cannot sit by and watch others go off to World War II, so he enlisted with the intention of becoming a medic while refusing to carry a firearm. He excels physically in basic training, but because of his strong belief in the Ten Commandments (including “Thou Shalt Not Kill” – Exodus 20:13) – he becomes an outcast among his fellow soldiers. As the story progresses, his unit becomes engaged in the Battle of Okinawa and is assigned to secure an area labeled as Hacksaw Ridge. Here the Japanese launch a massive counterattack and drive the Americans to retreat. Doss hears the cries of the injured and decides that he cannot abandon them, so one-by-one he rescues and lowers them by rope over the cliff’s edge to safety. Driven by his faith, he prays “just one more” after each rescue, eventually saving the lives of seventy-five while placing his own at risk with each attempt.

In a dramatic scene, the Captain of Doss’ unit makes the following confession: “All I saw was a skinny kid. I didn’t know who you were. You’ve done more than any other man could have done in the service of his country. I’ve never been more wrong about someone in my life, and I hope someday you can forgive me.” How many times have we found this to be true in our own life? We judge others by what we see or sometimes, even worse, by what we hear or think we know about them.  Because a person has a certain name, runs with a particular crowd, or is otherwise known to be “from the wrong side of the tracks” – we have all been guilty of making judgments that are sometimes questionable at best. I know there have been times that I have heard wonderful things about someone after they have died, causing me to wonder how I ever formed the conflicting opinion I had held about them in the first place. To Desmond Doss – it didn’t matter; all he saw was a life worth saving.

In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus asks His disciples – “Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8:27).  They respond with various answers, naming John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.  Then He asks an even more profound question: “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?  Simon Peter responds by stating: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16; Mark 8:29). Then Jesus says something very interesting: “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being” (Matthew 16:17). Afterwards, He affirms that Peter is the rock upon which He will build His church. He also sternly warns the disciples not to tell anyone that He is the Messiah, as He foreshadows His own death.

What do we learn from Desmond Doss and Jesus about finding meaning in our life?  Doss clearly demonstrated that there was a way to serve his fellow man without breaking the laws of God. His selfless acts of fearlessness were rewarded with a long life. Although he was just a “skinny kid” when he entered WWII, his determination and faith in God more than compensated for any lack in physical size. He became a modern-day David, as he faced his own Goliath treating and rescuing his comrades in close proximity to enemy forces. While Doss was in the business of saving men physically, Jesus understood that He would have to sacrifice His own life in order to spiritually save ours. He revealed who He truly was to only a close few, knowing that through his ultimate death and resurrection – He would become the savior for all mankind.  He reaches out on a personal level, setting a challenge for each of us to be non-judgmentally involved with others daily. For both Doss and Jesus, all they ever saw was a life worth saving. So we, like the young soldier, must dare to look Heavenward and say . . . “Just one more.”

REFLECTION: Are there ways that you can impact your world and help in healing the wounds of a hurting friend or even a stranger who needs a word of encouragement?  Do you see others around you whom you may be misjudging because of their own physical or emotional wounds? How might you ask for spiritual guidance in order to provide a more abundant life for someone in need?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., MARCH 4, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.