Hero

This monument in Lytham Lancashire, largely ignored by passers-by, is to 13 lifeboat crew who sacrificed their lives trying to save others.

In December 1886, their's was one of 3 lifeboats (just large rowing boats) that put into a horrific storm to rescue 12 crew of the German ship "The Mexico". Two of the lifeboats capsized drowning 27 of the 29 crew, and orphaning over 50 children. (the worst loss in RNLI history.)

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lays his life down for his friends." John 15:13.

These men were willing to sacrifice their lives to try and save not just their friends or acquaintences, but strangers from another country. Their sacrifice was not in a seperate category to what Jesus spoke of and demonstrated. If you are willing to lay your life down for another, then your are friends to all humanity. The Talmud says "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire." These lifeboatmen became the 12 German sailors best friends though they never met. May the sun never set upon the memory of their heroism, nor our aspiration to love others that deeply.