By Danny Minton

Numerous stories surrounding the Alamo have been passed down through the years. Some are true, while others are myths. One story passed down over the decades involved a man named Tapley Holland. I’m unsure if all the facts are correct, but the story has a strong lesson.

Who was Tapley Holland? That’s the question that most people who read this are probably asking. He’s not a household name. He was not a movie star or a great sports figure. He was never elected to public office or nominated for some political post. His chest was not covered with medals, nor was he in command of a great military regiment.

Tapley Holland steps across a line drawn in the sand at the Alamo

Tapley Holland was born in 1810 in the state of Ohio, the son of Canadian immigrants to the United States. Tapley’s family moved to Texas in 1822 as part of the “Old Three Hundred” settlers.

On March 5, 1836, Col. William Travis knew that the fate of the men of the Alamo was sealed. For 12 days, they had held off Santa Anna’s slowly tightening assault. Now, with the Mexican army a mere 200 yards away from the northern wall, their fate was dim. Col. Travis vowed to stay and fight, but that was his choice. On that day, he took his sword and drew a line in the sand. Looking at the 180-plus men, mostly volunteers, he told them that whoever wished to stay and fight should cross the line. No man would be shamed or looked down on for not staying. All the men crossed but two. One was Jim Bowie, who lay sick on his cot. He requested that he be carried and four volunteers helped him over the line. The other was Louis Moses Rose.

The first man to cross did it as soon as Travis made his charge. Tradition says that the young man was 26-year-old Tapley Holland. Upon crossing, the brave volunteer stated, “I am ready to die for my country.” Over 180 men crossed the line, knowing fully that they would die within days, maybe hours. However, they took on the challenge led by this brave young man.

With such great names as Crockett, Bowie, Bonham, Dickinson, and Travis, an ordinary soldier’s name can get lost in the crowd. Yet what he did on that cold March day in 1836 showed great bravery and love for his country.

Centuries before, Jesus stood before a group of hand-picked volunteers and figuratively drew a line in the sand. “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” They are told they would face persecution, insults, and even death. Yet they accepted the challenge because they knew the cause and were ready to die for their Savior. Those who accepted the offer to follow Jesus were not men of well-known society. Among those walking with him were fishermen, a tax collector, a betrayer, and a political activist. Unknowns before Jesus selected them, they would become symbols of faith, courage, and dedication to God in the centuries to follow.

God needs men and women who are willing to serve. Whether we are a leader or a follower doesn’t matter to Him. What matters is whether you are willing to make the sacrifice. Do we have the courage to say, “I am willing to die to this world for Christ?” Do we have the love to say, “I will die so that others can be free?” Are we willing to step across the line for something greater?

 I remember a minister telling a story years ago about a young boy in a village at a religious service. When it came time to take up a collection, the congregation’s men would pass a basket through the crowd, not for money but gifts the people wanted to give to the church. When the basket was set in front of the young boy, it was obvious he had nothing to give. To make a point about the shame of not giving, the men stood for longer than normal before the boy. Finally, the young boy stood up and stepped into the basket, saying, “All I have to give is me, so me I give to God.”

For the world to know Christ, we must be willing to step forward and give our lives to Him. “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ