The fact that mass shootings happen is a true tragedy. What happened in Parkland FL is dark, tragic, and something that won’t soon be forgotten. My heart goes out to all the families, friends, teachers, administrators, and the rest of America that hurts with all those involved. As many know by now, there is a light shining through the darkness already. Coach Aaron Feis was one of the football coaches at the school who also doubled as a security guard. During this tragic event, Mr. Feis used his body to shield students from the shooting. The result of this decision was death for Mr. Feis. Another result, however, was students who were blessed enough to be behind Mr. Feis walked away with their lives. Mr. Feis showed the highest form of love by giving up his life for others.
John 15:13 tells us, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends”. Mr. Feis did that and it is something honorable. It is something that should be remembered as heroic and the pinnacle of love for others.
The context of John 15:13 is important here. This happens during the Lord’s Supper. Jesus and His disciples are sitting in the upper room where they have already taken the bread and the wine which is to represent the body and blood of Christ. Jesus has told His disciples that he is going to die for them. In John 15:12, Jesus tells them, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you”. This statement is followed by the greatest act of love. Jesus was talking to the disciples about their relationship to each other but in the context of Jesus doing the greatest act of love whenever He lays down His life for the world.
You see, Mr. Feis is an amazing image of the work of Christ on the cross. I praise God for Mr. Feis’s bravery and love for those students. He stepped up and acted for the sake of others. He was selfless and loving. It is a portrait of Jesus.
Jesus, through His love for humanity, obeyed His Father’s will all the way to death that, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 6:23). While we were enemies of Christ, He died for us. He died for the sake of many. He died that many could come to knowledge of God and experience true life (John 17:13).
Mr. Feis, your bravery is commended. Your love for the students is abundantly clear. Thank you for your actions and it is my prayer that those actions would be seen as a great representation of what the Creator of the universe did for His creation.
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”.
