Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.
—John 15:13
When a 200 mph tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri, Bethany Lansaw’s husband, Don, covered her body with his to protect her from flying debris.
Bethany survived. Don died. She will never forget his love and ultimate sacrifice.
Nor would we if we had been in Bethany’s place.
Well, in one sense, we are in Bethany’s place. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to save us. In the words of the hymn, it’s the “Old, Old Story,”—but it must be new and personal for each of us. Insert your name in the blanks:
“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn __________, but to save __________” (Jn 3:17).
He came “to give his life as a ransom for __________” (Mk 10:45).
“[He] loved __________ and gave himself for __________” (Gal 2:20).
You are the object of ultimate love.