The Journal Herald newspaper of Dayton, Ohio

Brotherly Love

Mike Willis once shared the story of 13-year-old hero that was the subject of an article in the
February 13, 1984 edition of The Journal Herald newspaper of Dayton, Ohio. The article disclosed how
this young teen saved the lives of his two brothers, ages three and four, when their house trailer
caught on fire.

The boys' father awoke one morning and quickly discovered that the trailer was on fire. Flames of
fire in the hall of their home separated his room from the boys' bedroom. The father ran outside,
broke the window to the boys' bedroom, and yelled to his 13-year-old son, William Holsclaw, to hand
his brothers to him through the window.

William's father later told how William saved his brothers: "He stood there and handed me them
babies out while he was cooking [i.e., was on fire]. He never looked up or hesitated a minute; he
did just what he was supposed to do. The flames were . coming up his backside. He was on fire! I
could see him, but there wasn't a thing I could do except grab the babies. I didn't think he was
going to get out, but he made it. . All he had on was a T-shirt and underwear, and the shirt was
burning on his back while he got the boys out."

After sharing the account of William's heroic actions, Willis stated that a subsequent newspaper
account revealed that at the time of the article, William was in critical condition but was expected
to survive the ordeal.

William's actions were indeed heroic. They also reflect a wonderful example of brotherly love.

As Willis commented: "This thirteen year old lad demonstrated what brotherly love is all about. He
endured pain - excruciating pain - in order to save the lives of his brothers. He put his own safety
second to their good. Surely we can learn a lesson from this beautiful example of brotherly love."

I want to suggest two lessons:

One lesson is that Jesus loves us even more than this amazing brother loved his brothers. "Greater
love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). William risked
his life for his brothers. Jesus laid down his life for us, and He did it, not just for His friends
but His enemies, too! Read Romans 5:6-10. He died for us so that we can be saved from our sins which
separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). His
blood will continue to cleanse us from sin as we continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
1:7).

A second lesson is "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11).
Jesus instructs His followers: "love one another; as I have loved you" (John 13:34). "Let brotherly
love continue" (Hebrews 13:1), and may that love reflect the depth of love that Jesus has for you
and me. Won't YOU accept God's loving offer of salvation and eternal life through Christ?

Won't YOU share the love of Christ with those around you?

-- David A. Sargent

SOURCE: "Brotherly Love" by Mike Willis in Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 11, pp. 322, 345-346. June 7,
1984. http://www.truthmagazine.com.