We hear about people leaping into lakes or rivers to rescue a drowning stranger or others donating organs to someone they’ve never met in order to save their lives. I think most of us would say we’d be willing to do the same if the situation arose. But what if you knew in advance that the person who was drowning was an escaped prisoner, or the person who needed the kidney was a child abuser? Would we then pause before taking the leap or agreeing to the surgery? If we’re honest with ourselves, we’d probably admit it would be harder to risk our own lives for someone who wasn’t a “good person.” But the thing is, Romans 3:12 says, “There is no one who does what is good, not even one.” Despite this, God did not hesitate to do what was necessary to rescue mankind from the snares of sin that would result in our death and condemnation. Even while we were still bound up in sinful darkness, He sent Jesus. Even though He knew not all would turn from sin to salvation, He still sent Jesus. Jesus took our sins upon Himself when He went to the cross. He did it to save us. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another, and Jesus exhibited that love for us by being obedient to the Father’s will. He died for me; I want to live for Him.
