Hello ,

All in the Family was a popular 1970s CBS series that made the curmudgeonly Archie Bunker a household name. In this scene Archie's son-in-law, Michael, and his wife, Gloria, are in the kitchen. Michael is eating a sandwich and Gloria is baking cookies. Gloria asks him, "Michael, do you love me?"

"Yup," he manages in between bites.

"Would you give up your life for me?" she asks.

"Right after I finish this sandwich."

"Ma saw this movie on TV. It takes place in the desert. The husband gives up his life so his wife can live. I was just wondering if you would do the same for me."

"Sure, honey. If we're ever in the Sahara desert together, you got my life. You got any pickles?"

Gloria sighs and says, "Michael, I'm serious. I mean, if we were stranded in the desert, and we had just enough water for one of us, what would you do?"

"I'd flip you for it."

Gloria is visually exasperated, so Michael adds: "Well honey, what do you want from me? That is a very difficult question to answer. Not many people know how they'd react in a life-and-death situation."

"Okay, forget the desert," she says. "Let's say we're out in the ocean, and there's this shark coming at us. Would you swim in front of it to save me?"

"How big is the shark?"

"He's big. He's a man-eating shark."

"Well, then maybe you should swim in front of it to save me."

"Why?"

"Because it's a man-eating shark. You didn't say woman-eating shark."

At this point Gloria has about had enough. "I'm just trying to find out how much you care for me!"

"I care for you, honey. If you care for me, you'll let me finish this sandwich."

Gloria grabs the sandwich out of his hands and looks him in the eye glaringly: "Michael, we are lost in the mountains. This is our only food-our only chance for survival. Would you give me this sandwich?"

"I wouldn't have to. You'd take it from me."

"Michael! I just want to hear you say you'd give up your life for me. Would you say it?"

Gloria angrily walks out of the kitchen and into the living room. Michael follows her.

She looks back at him again, saying, "Just say you'd lay down your life for me."

"This is ridiculous. How did we get into this?"

"Just say the words, Michael!"

Michael finally gives in, exhausted by the whole conversation. "All right! All right! I'd lay down my life for you!"*

Although the dialogue above seems rather exaggerated, human beings want to know that there is someone out there who would lay down their life for them if the need arose. 

In John chapter 10, Jesus makes it clear that He willingly laid down His life for you and I.  He didn't have to be coerced, manipulated, or cajoled into it. His love sent Him to the cross.  May this thought sustain you today and always!

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word