They Sacrificed For You

They Sacrificed For You

Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

There is a lot of well deserved focus today

on the self-sacrifice of many who give

of their time, efforts and sometimes their life

in service to us and our country.

I will name a few,

but will probably miss many others.

We have the fire fighters,

the first responders,

police, the prison guards,

the military, the teachers,

 the ministers and their wives,

the health care workers,

the missionaries

and so many, many others.

When we see a story or a video about someone

who has been killed in service to others,

we are saddened and feel great compassion

for their families and those who have

been hurt by what has happened.

I truly applaud all of those who are willing

to sacrifice even their life for my protection

or to make my day-to-day life better.

Sacrifice takes great courage and strength.

Many of these whose chosen career

includes the risk of death,

and even though they are willing

to face that to protect us,

did not ask to die in the line of duty.

Often those they serve hate them

or rebel against them,

yet they continue serving faithfully

in spite of the hostility shown them.

But there is one who was willing

 to come to the earth from His heavenly home,

for the sole purpose of dying a brutal death 

for us because of our sin. 

How can we ever thank Him enough.

He knew He would face hatred and hostility

and finally die on the cross.

But He left heaven with the

only purpose in mind,

to be the sacrifice for our sins,

so that we could be with Him 

in heaven when we die.

I can’t even comprehend that kind of love.

While our fellow friends and those we do not know,

are willing to lay their life on the line for us,

Jesus was born solely for that reason.

He longs for our love and service.

How grateful we should be and 

answer His loving call.

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;

but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16-17