An Extraordinary Operation

The type of operation – a common appendectomy – had been performed many times throughout history, but on this particular day in February 1921, this operation became a historic event in the little town of Kane, Pennsylvania.  Dr. Even O’Neill Kane, whose father was the founder of the town, wanted to prove something to the medical world.  “It was his belief that the anesthesia "ether" was being used far too often when less dangerous local anesthetics could be used.  So he set out to perform an appendectomy using only a local anesthetic” (Source: A Brief History of Kane’s Hospitals*).

A patient was eventually found who needed the surgery and was willing to undergo 
the surgery using only a local anesthesia.  The patient was prepped and wheeled 
into the operating room.  A local anesthetic was applied, and Dr. Kane, who in his thirty-seven-year medical career had performed nearly four thousand appendectomies, went to work.  He dissected the superficial tissues and located the appendix.  He skillfully excised it and concluded the surgery.  The patient fared well during the surgery and was dismissed two days later.

Thanks to the willing volunteer, Dr. Kane had proven his theory.  He demonstrated that local anesthesia was a viable alternative in at least some types of surgery.

There is another facet of this surgery that really makes this a historical event, and that is the identity of the patient.  The patient was Dr. Kane himself!  

According to A Brief History of Kane’s Hospitals,* Dr. Kane was “propped up on the operating room table with a mirror over his abdomen.  Three other doctors looked on, in case of trouble, as he began to make the necessary incision for the removal of his OWN appendix.”

The DOCTOR became the PATIENT in order to prove to other patients (as well as the medical community) that they could trust the doctor....

What Dr. Kane did to prove his point partially signifies what Jesus did for us!  Jesus, the Great Physician, became a patient (“came in the likeness of men,” Philippians 2:5-8) in order to once and for all take care of the sin problem that plagues mankind and also to teach us that we could trust Him for our eternal salvation.

“Therefore, in ALL things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).

He WILL save those who will: place their trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), repent of their sin (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38).  He will CONTINUE to save those who CONTINUE to follow Him as a way of life, for the rest of their lives (1 John 1:7).

What an extraordinary operation! The Son of God became man and died on the cross for our sins!  This extraordinary operation provides eternal blessings for those who will give their lives to Him.  

Will you give YOUR life to Him?

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister 

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:

                      HTML version:  subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net
                   TEXT version:  subscribe-livingwater-text@lyris.dundee.net

Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com

Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org