Sacrifice Play: Coach Donates Kidney to Star Player

Wake Forest University baseball coach Tom Walter, took one for the team when he donated his kidney to freshman outfielder Kevin Jordan.

“I feel I was meant to be here with Kevin,” said 42-year-old Walter, whose players call him “Walt.” “I don’t consider myself a hero. It’s just doing the right thing.”

During the winter of 2010, Jordan’s health rapidly began to decline. Doctors at Emory University Hospital found Jordan’s kidneys were only functioning at 15 to 20 percent of capacity.

Jordan started dialysis three times a week. Two days before he enrolled at Wake Forest for the fall semester, doctors told Jordan he needed a kidney transplant as soon as possible. Jordan completed the first semester of school while receiving dialysis.

While doctors discussed Jordan’s treatment and prognosis with Walter and a trainer, ”our mouths were hanging open,” said Walter. “We couldn’t believe what he had endured. I made the decision immediately that if I could help, I would.”

After Jordan’s mother and brother were not found to be good donor matches, Walter was tested. Walter learned he was a match in late January of this year. When he told his team a week ago that he’d be donating his kidney, the players gave him a round of applause.

It’s not surprising that “Walt” would receive a round of applause from his team for his sacrificial donation of his kidney. For Kevin Jordan to live, it meant someone had to make a sacrifice on his behalf. Likewise, our sin makes Jesus’ sacrifice necessary on our behalf so we won’t face God’s wrath.

Jesus Christ is the only one who can bridge the gap between God and man. Jesus was the perfect match. As humans, we have no possible way to atone for our sin or way to free ourselves from enslavement to it. Jesus, being fully human, yet not sinning, was the perfect and only substitute available.

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice play, but have you benefited from His sacrifice? If you have ever asked, “What am I here for?” or “How do I commit?” If so, the answers are online at www.morethanwinning.org.

Huddle Talk

• Does it surprise you that a coach would make such a great sacrifice for his player? Why or why not?

• Would you be willing to make a similar sacrifice? Why or why not?

• Have you ever noticed the John 3:16 signs at sporting events? Do you think everyone knows what this Bible verse means?

• When Tim Tebow inscribed John 3:16 on his eye black for the BCS National Championship game, the biblical reference became the most popular search item on Google.com. Read John 3:16, “For God so love the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” What does this verse teach about salvation and sacrifice?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gordon Thiessen has served on staff with the Nebraska FCA since 1986 He has also founded Cross Training Publishing (www.crosstrainingpublishing.com). He has written Team Studies on Character and edited The Athletes Topical Bible. He is married to Terri and has four grown children.