A Message In Blood

It all began when a troubled man decided to take his life by parking his Jeep Cheroke on the Los Angeles Metrolink tracks just in time to get crushed by an oncoming train. Moments before impact the suicidal man came to his senses. There was no time to start the vehicle and move it so he just jumped out and ran, narrowly escaping death. Others would not be so fortunate.

The train derailed on impact with the parked SUV killing at least eleven and sending to hospitals the more than two hundred injured.

A man named John was trapped in the mangled wreckage. Breathing was difficult. He feared his life was about to end. So he wrote what he thought would be his final words — a message to his wife and children. A message written in blood. I (heart) my kids. I (heart) Leslie. A message of love.

Turns out John’s injuries were not as severe as he feared. Firefighters discovered the message finger-painted in blood as they used the jaws of life to extract John from the wreckage. After a brief hospitalization, John was released. And that is where the story ends, at least for now.

John is a very private person. While hundreds of people hearing about and seeing the picture of the message in blood called the hospital to check on his condition, John refused to let his name be released. His reluctance to be identified has not quenched our desire to know more details.

Who is this guy? Was he reunited with his wife and children? Who are they? Is there a dark side to the story (I really hope not)? Will he successfully keep his identity concealed when the entire country has been captivated by his message in blood?

While we may not know much about John, Leslie, and the kids, their story reminds us of another message of love written in blood. A message that seems too good to be true. A loving God. Sinful man. The wonderful cross. A message that raises just as many questions. Who understands the depth of this love? How can we comprehend the reality of this sacrifice? Who can we tell about this good news? When will we learn to love like God loves? What lifestyle changes are inspired by this message of love in blood?

“He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom
through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven”
(Ephesians 1:7 NLT).

— Bob Clark

2/1/2005