Is any member of your family afraid of getting stung? I remember many years ago going on a picnic with my uncle’s family. We had driven to a very beautiful spot to go for a walk and then to have a picnic beside the river. It was ideal until we spread out the food, then the bees and wasps appeared. My aunt was terrified and rushed back into the car until the bees and wasps had left. We quickly ate our meal and swiftly climbed back into the car and returned home. It wasn’t until many years later that I learned that my aunt was severely allergic to the sting and could have died from just one sting of a bee. This is because of something called anaphylaxis shock, a severe allergic reaction to bee stings which is potentially life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. Statistics show that around 3% of the population are allergic to stings of any kind, many of which can be life threatening. This rises to around 15% of the world population that have severe allergies to certain foods like nuts, to latex, dust, pollens from plants etc. In anaphylaxis, the immune system releases a flood of chemicals that can cause the body to go into shock. Blood pressure drops suddenly, and the airways narrow, blocking your breathing. Anaphylaxis needs to be treated right away or it can be deadly. It is a very serious health problem which today causes people to always carry an epi pen, or an adrenaline auto-injector, with them to counter act the effects of the allergic reaction, giving them time to get to a hospital.
The story is told of a boy and his father who were driving down a country road on a beautiful spring day, when a bumblebee flew in the car window. The little boy, who was allergic to bee stings was petrified. The father quickly reached out, grabbed the bee, squeezed it in his hand, and then released it. The boy grew frantic as it buzzed by him. Once again, the father reached out his hand, but this time he pointed to his palm. There stuck in his skin was the stinger of the bee. “Do you see this?” he asked. “You don’t need to be afraid anymore. I’ve taken the sting for you.” The Bible asks the question in first Corinthians chapter 15 verse 55 ‘O death, where is thy sting?’ Many people are filled with fear at the thought of death. They don’t know what happens after death. However, the death and resurrection of Christ has taken the sting away from death for those who believe in him. The punishment for their sins has been laid on Christ and he has borne their punishment. Thus, redeeming and saving them, they no more need to fear death because now they know that once they die they will go straight to heaven. Christ took the sting when he died on the cross, just like the father took the sting on his palm because he loved his son. Christ loves his people, men and women, young and old all who come and confess and repent of their sins he will save and take the sting of death for them. They have prayed, father come into my heart, forgive me for my sins and save me. Teach me to love and follow you. Then the words of first Corinthians chapter 15 verse 57 ‘But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’, become true for them and they no longer have that fear of death.
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