Miracle on the River Kwai

During my study time this week I re-read Miracle on the River Kwai, the story of the miraculous renewal of faith, hope, and love that happened to many allied troops in the Japanese prison camps of Burma during World War II. Scottish prisoner Earnest Gordon, later chaplain of Princeton University, wrote,

"I realized again I was witnessing saving grace in action. More and more men began to help one another. The less sick cared for the more sick. The few who could walk fetched water and gave baths to the dying. We began to lose the bitterness towards our ruthless captors. When we prayed, 'forgive them as you forgive us', we were released from hatred and given a new love and freedom... All this came to a head when, during one of the brutal marches, we came across wounded Japanese soldiers left by their own on the sides of the road to die in their pain and filth. Without a word, most of the officers in my section unbuckled their sacks, took their rations, and a rag, with water canteens in hand, went over to the Japanese to care for them. I regarded my comrades with wonder. Eighteen months ago they would have readily joined in the destruction of our captors had they fallen into our hands. Now these same men were dressing the enemies' wounds. We had experienced the grace of Christ and the power of God to break the barriers of prejudice and hate. We experienced the wonder of the Kingdom of God as we began to see His grace in action among us." 

 When we catch a glimpse of Kingdom servant leadership in action, when we look at Jesus and what He gave up for us, and then see selfless service by His followers in action, it can be life changing.