Joe (not his real name) was a Japanese prisoner of war during WWII.

Despite living in absolute squalor and treated with unspeakable cruelty, Joe remained somewhat strong and healthy — at least by POW standards. His cell mate, “Charlie,” however, was barely hanging on.

The only thing keeping Charlie alive was the hope of meeting his two-year-old daughter — the one who was born three months after he left for the war. Because Joe knew Charlie would not survive another beating and that he was literally on the verge of starving to death, Joe went out of his way to make it look like he was the one not able to follow instructions, or falling down on the job, instead of Charlie.

The slightest infraction was punishable by beating or by withholding what small amounts of food they were given. Joe didn’t mind, though. His longsuffering nature allowed him to willingly and silently take the punishment that would have otherwise killed his friend.

Jesus did the same thing for us. He knew we could never stand up under the weight of our sin, so He willingly and silently took our punishment for us. His longsuffering and compassionate heart led Him to the cross to commit the greatest act of love this world will ever see.