A Rare Death
A father would give anything for his son. The same is true for a mother and applies equally to daughters.
I would do anything—including give my life—for my sons and daughters. If you are a parent, you know this feeling well. There is nothing you would not do for your children.
As we honor those who have given their lives in service this Memorial Day week, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the magnitude of the sacrifice the Heavenly Father has made for us.
Although you and I would readily give our lives for our children, the sacrifice made by those we honor this week is on another level altogether. Romans 5:7 puts it this way: “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.”
It is a stunning thing to consider that the price for your earthly freedom and mine was paid by strangers and involved the laying down of many lives. What a humbling thing to remember that many dared to die in order that you might be free. As Memorial Day fades away for another year, let’s endeavor together to be vocally grateful all year long to those who made this ultimate sacrifice.
Further, while you and I might willingly lay down our lives for our sons and daughters, that is nothing compared to the sacrifice the Father made for you when He allowed His one and only beloved Son to hang, suffer, and die on the cross. Kari Jobe’s song Forever describes that moment this way: “One final breath He gave, as Heaven looked away.”
What an unfathomable sacrifice. The Almighty God didn’t just lay down His own life. No, the Almighty God gave His beloved Son in order that you might live and be free. The Almighty God turned away in that moment in order that you would be free in this moment!
It is a sacrifice no words can fully describe or do justice.
It is a sacrifice too large to even fully comprehend.
Most important, it is a sacrifice that goes far beyond daring to die for a good man! No, this sacrifice was made in order that you—a sinner—would be moved from certain death to eternal life (Jn. 3:16)!
If you know this transformative truth this week—and as you intentionally express your gratitude for those who laid down their life in service for you—share it with someone who needs it.
If you don’t yet know this truth—if you haven’t yet had a personal encounter with Jesus—make today the day. He came and died in order that you could be free from sin and death (Rom. 6:8-14). The Father didn’t just die for His Son. No, the Father allowed His Son to die so you could know Him.
It was the ultimate sacrifice. It was made and intended for you. Accept it today.
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.