The boys’ father awoke one morning and quickly discovered that the trailer was on fire. Flames of fire in the hall of their home separated his room from the boys’ bedroom. The father ran outside, broke the window to the boys’ bedroom, and yelled to his 13-year-old son, William Holsclaw, to hand his brothers to him through the window.

William’s father later told how William saved his brothers: “He stood there and handed me them babies out while he was cooking [i.e., was on fire]. He never looked up or hesitated a minute; he did just what he was supposed to do. The flames were … coming up his backside. He was on fire! I could see him, but there wasn't a thing I could do except grab the babies. I didn't think he was going to get out, but he made it. … All he had on was a T-shirt and underwear, and the shirt was burning on his back while he got the boys out.”

After sharing the account of William’s heroic actions, Willis stated that a subsequent newspaper account revealed that at the time of the article, William was in critical condition but was expected to survive the ordeal.

William’s actions were indeed heroic. They also reflect a wonderful example of brotherly love.

As Willis commented: “This thirteen year old lad demonstrated what brotherly love is all about. He endured pain – excruciating pain – in order to save the lives of his brothers. He put his own safety second to their good. Surely we can learn a lesson from this beautiful example of brotherly love.”

I want to suggest two lessons:

One lesson is that Jesus loves us even more than this amazing brother loved his brothers. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). William risked his life for his brothers. Jesus laid down his life for us, and He did it, not just for His friends but His enemies, too! Read Romans 5:6-10. He died for us so that we can be saved from our sins which separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).

A second lesson is “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). Jesus instructs His followers: “love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1), and may that love reflect the depth of love that Jesus has for you and me. Won’t YOU accept God’s loving offer of salvation and eternal life through Christ?

-- David A. Sargent