Tackling the Problem

The scene eerily resembled the Columbine High School Massacre of 1999.  This time the events occurred at Deer Park Middle School , three miles from Columbine, in Littleton , Colorado .

A 32-year-old man with a history of mental illness opened fire at students at the Middle School last Tuesday afternoon.  The shooter had wounded two students when Math teacher Dr. David Benke, 57, who had been helping with crosswalk duty, saw the gunman reloading his rifle.  He saw an opportunity to help protect his students.

“I noticed that he was working a bolt action rifle and realized that I had time to get him before he could chamber another round,” said Benke.

He ran and tackled the suspect, preventing him from inflicting more harm. Thirteen year old Reagan Weber, one of two students wounded in the attack, believes Benke’s actions saved lives.  “I think he’s a hero,” said Weber. “He obviously probably saved a lot more students.” *

Neal Pollard, minister of the Bear Valley Church of Christ in Denver , wrote: “People want heroes and Benke is a good fit. There's the gentle, sure demeanor that quickly restored calm in a terrifying situation. There's the willingness and ability to sacrifice himself to save others.” **

Benke’s actions remind us of an even GREATER Hero…

When WE were trapped by our sins and destined to die, Jesus Christ came to our rescue (Romans 6:23), 

Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus “tackled” (CONQUERED) sin AND our great adversary, Satan (Hebrews 2:14).

Through Jesus, WE can be saved from sin when we respond to Him with:
faith (Acts 16:30-31), repentance from sin (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).  He will CONTINUE to cleanse those who CONTINUE to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Because of ALL He has done for us, we should consider Jesus to be the Greatest Hero of ALL!  Pollard reminds us of the words of a beautiful song:

“Why should I not love Jesus? Jesus who died for me!
Why should I not adore Him, Hero of Calvary .
Why should I not love Jesus? Lost and alone was I;
In His great love He saved me, lifted my soul on high.
Why should I not love Jesus? One day He'll come for me;
Oh, I shall share His glory for all eternity.”
– Claude T. Lynn

Because of His great love for us, Jesus “tackled” our greatest problem: "SIN".  

He will save us and give us an eternal home in heaven -IF- we will just “TAKE” His hand in trusting obedience.

Won’t YOU?

David A. Sargent, Minister

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

* Information gleaned from “Hero Teacher Tackled Colorado Gunman” by Barry Petersen of CBS News

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