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In a terrible winter many years ago, an army was flying from Moscow. In the army were a young German prince and some German soldiers. Many of the soldiers fell down and perished in the dreadful cold. One evening only a handful remained with the prince. They came to a ruined shed which had been built for cattle. There they sought shelter for the night. Hungry, cold, and weary, they lay down to sleep. The men were rough and stern, yet, when they saw their prince, used to comforts, spent, heart and body, sleeping now in the fearful night, they were moved to pity. They took off their cloaks and laid them gently on him as he slept. Then they lay down themselves to sleep uncovered. Morning came, and the prince awoke, warm and refreshed. He raised his head. All was silent about him save the wild wind. Where were his men? He saw their forms covered with snow. He called – no answer. One glance and he saw all. Their cloaks were all piled upon him, and they were dead – dead through love for him.
You turn your eyes toward the cross, and there is Jesus dead, while in your soul are the warm throbbings of life. You have peace, joy, hope, comfort, while about him the winter winds of woe beat, and the snows of sorrow fall, – dead, that you might live. “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for a friend.”