He died so his people could live

Recently, a casual friend of several years opened a conversation by asking about my vest which proclaimed "Alaska".

I explained I had cruised the Inside Passage last summer, something I had wanted to do since I first learned of it as a child. I also mentioned I had previously done a nine-day land tour.

He said it made him a bit homesick for he had lived in Alaska for a year. He had worked among the Native American population northwest of Fairbanks.

Native Americans - I was reminded of an article I had read recently about the maltreatment of the Cherokee nation -- Native Americans.

In 1838, 17,000 Cherokees were force marched from their native homes in beautiful North Carolina to Oklahoma. It was a rugged and grueling trek - a trek made infamous by the death of more than 4,000 people - a trek so rugged, so demanding, so wearying and deadly it became known as the "trail of tears."

Cherokee brave Tsali was one of that tribe. In the conflict before the forced march, his wife was murdered by a drunken U.S. soldier. That soldier was, in turn, killed by Tsali and his kinsmen who then escaped into the depths of the mountainous forest area.

Eventually, General Scott, who was in charge of the removal of the Cherokees, proposed a compromise to a trusted friend of Tsali: If Tsali and his kin who were in hiding would surrender to be shot, the remainder of the tribe could stay in the beloved land of their birth.

We can only imagine the days of anguish during the decision making process, but finally Tsali, his sons and a brother-in-law walked, unescorted, into Bushnell to face certain death.

Why did they do it? They knew they were safe in their cave near Clingman's Dome. The soldiers never would have found him.

Tsali and his kinsmen had a burning desire to live, but, out of a depth of love that surpasses all loves, they went before the firing squad so others could live. At the very last moment, his youngest son was spared.

Rifles roared! Three men died. A thousand Cherokees were free.

Some two thousand years ago, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem heralded by crowds of enthusiastic supporters shouting "Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!"

He spent the week with His dearest friends empowering them for the task ahead. Then, He was taken to trial - a mock trial to be sure - and was sentenced to death, the heinous death of the cross.

As He made that final walk - His "trail of tears" as it were - He was again heralded by the crowds. This time, they shouted, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

What brought about this dramatic change in the crowds? Well, for one thing they were crowds and crowds are easily swayed to conform to their leaders.

But a more important question is "Why did He go to Calvary?"

Because of love! He loved you and me so much He would rather die than spend eternity without us! Imagine love like that! Respond to it.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Jesus declared us to be His friends.

One Man died!

"Whosoever" have been declared free!

What love!