?lan

A clue the lion pride had just finished off a great meal was the two circling vultures.  By the time we found the spot for the meal the lions had moved off and left the clean-up to the vultures and hyenas.  There wasn’t much; shiny white ribs with tinges of blood, nearby some fairly clean legs with just a bit of skin near the hoofs.  An ?lan had given up its life by serving as a meal to a lion pride of twenty plus.  Today when we went back even the bones had been eaten by the hyenas.
 
The scene has repeated itself again and again on the endless plain known as the Serengeti.  From Impala bones bleaching themselves white in the bows of a tree to the scattered skulls and horns of uncounted wildebeests; it is clear that this is dangerous world.  Eagles feast on baby gazelles while foxes chase their afternoon meal of guinea fowl.  Everyone is seems is out on the hunt, desperately looking for what can be taken.  Even the striped hyena this evening was snooping within twenty feet of where we had dinner; open and ready for anything that might slip through our fingers.
 
When we talk of giving ourselves fully to a cause I don’t think this is the scene we had in mind.  Even when Jesus said he was willing to give of himself others around him were confused.  With Jesus’ words the Jews started righting among themselves; “How can this man serve up his flesh for a meal?”  (John 6.52)
 
Until today I don’t think I ever visually experienced just what the statement meant.  Even known I cannot understand it fully.  I can recall saying the words.  Did I really understand what I was offering to others?
 
The ?lan today paid the ultimate sacrifice that these words reflect.  Jesus did the same for you and me.  I know that I do not fully understand what God did but I can appreciate that it was the ultimate act of love.  Question is; what will I do with this gift?