This story was one I read over 20 years ago on the wall of 'Nuestra Cocina', the Argentinean take-away shop where I used to buy my dinner. I read it often and have never forgotten it.
Two friends, Pablo and Pedro, were sent to war. They were in the same unit, and on one occasion, Pablo went missing while trying to accomplish a mission. None of the men who had been sent on this mission returned.
Pedro asked his commanding officer if he might go and look for his friend.
“Permission denied” the officer said. “I am sorry to say it, but we must recognise that Pablo and the whole team are almost certainly dead. You cannot go on a fool’s errand.”
But while the commanding officer was distracted, Pedro left the dug-out in search of his friend. Some time later he returned with Pablo on his back. Pablo was dead, and Pedro was suffering from a wound which was clearly fatal. It was only a matter of time before he too would die.
“Why did you go?” his officer shouted. “What was the point of sacrificing yourself like that? You have been mortally wounded, and what for? To bring home a corpse!”
“No sir,” Pedro replied. “When I found him, he was still alive.
And the last thing he did was smile at me, and say:
‘I knew that you would come.’”
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That story always moved me to tears. It reminded me of Jesus. Since then I have discovered a song which captures this theme. You’ll probably like it, so here’s the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7NdBVTtvcg
A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
(Proverbs 18:24)
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing;
but I have called you friends,
for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
(John 15:13-15)
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