Yes, Blood was Shed!

February 13, 2025

Chaplain LaVina “Viny” Burns

In 1996 we lived near Fort Knox Army Fort in Radcliff, KY. Being Jim was Air Force, we had the privilege of using the BX and the commissary along with many other services. We loved the area and the people.

Interestingly the one thing I find in ministry, interacting with individuals, young and old, offers us opportunities all around us. One day I went to the PX with my kids. We stopped in at the food court to get something cold to drink. I was walking with a cane at that time in my life and so the kids went to the different restaurants to obtain their desired soft drink. I sat at a table waiting for mine to be brought to me when I looked over and saw 3 young men in their teens standing in one of the lines. What appeared to be the oldest in the group had a Marilyn … T-shirt on sporting a cross with Jesus hanging on it and blood all over. Reading the “punch line” on it showed clearly it was not in praise but in mockery of our Savior. The youngest in the group looked like he desperately needed to be included by someone and so he was hanging around with the other two.

Instantly my mind went to Jesus on the cross. The group passed by me. It was then the Holy Spirit nudged me and said, “The next time they walk past, you talk with them.” Sure enough, here they came again. I looked into the eyes of the oldest one wearing the shirt and said, “Young man, I would like you to know, the man, Jesus, on the cross on your shirt loved you so much He really did die for you. I want you to know the blood was shed to cover each of your sins and it was all done, just for you!” Speaking, I hoped my voice was filled with the love of Christ, a softness, not of condemnation, but of great concern.

As the group began to walk away, the youngest of them looked at me and said, “Thank You. My mom has always wanted me to believe what you just said.” Then he disappeared with the group.

Every once in awhile I think of those 3 boys and wonder if the Holy Spirit ever made a breakthrough into their hearts. Too often we shy away and criticize when we need to listen to the nudging of the Holy Spirit in our lives and just speak up in love with a couple of sentences stressing the love of Jesus towards someone else. I think of the mom who was probably very worried about her son falling into the wrong group. I felt privileged to be praying with someone I had never met, but definitely know what is ahead for her.

John 3:16-17 come to mind as I write the recollection of this incident, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten (so loved) Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”

With that in mind I am positive the blood was shed, but only out of love, not out of hate or condemnation, all God’s people said, “AMEN and AMEN!!”.