DEVOTION//A picture of our Savior

Henrietta Lacks has saved thousands of lives in the last seventy years, even though she has been dead since 1951.

A life saver

Mrs. Lacks died from cervical cancer at the age of 31. During a biopsy of her cancerous tumor, doctors at the Johns Hopkins Hospital removed and cultured those cells. Her cells became the HeLa cell line that continues to advance cancer research today.

In line with current medical standards, Lacks’ doctors were not required to gain her consent to use her cells. Nor, until 1975, were she or her family told about the way Johns Hopkins would use her cells or the financial benefit that would come to the hospital.

A soul saver

Compare this with Jesus of Nazareth who also died in his early 30s.

His life was not taken from him by a terminal disease or even by his enemies. He willingly offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice that would forgive all sins (Hebrews 9:28). On the cross, he gave not some cells from his body, but his entire body and soul — his whole being — to provide us with a cure for all our sins. Because he is the infinite Son of God, his one death won eternal life for everyone (Hebrews 10:14). His sacrifice continues to grant healing to all who trust him as their Savior (John 3:16).

Unlike Mrs. Lacks’ life-saving contributions, the life-giving power of Jesus' death in our place was not an unwitting byproduct of his demise. It was part of the divine plan for rescuing sinful humans, a plan the Son of God agreed with and willingly participated in (John 6:38-40).

Millions owe gratitude to Mrs. Lacks because her cancer cells have given them a reprieve from a terminal illness. But Jesus deserves indescribably great honor. He has given us never-ending reasons to praise and thank him (Revelation 19:6-8).