A True Hero!

Few verses illustrate the love of God toward a sinful world as vividly as Zechariah 13:6. When Jesus tells the story of His death on the cross, He speaks of the wounds He suffered having been inflicted by His “friends.” When a soldier is wounded or killed because of his or her actions in saving others in combat, that soldier typically receives awards and recognition and is considered a hero.

It is not uncommon for combat personnel to be seriously injured.

Such individuals deserve the respect of society.

They not only volunteered to serve their nation but also paid a very significant price as a result of their decision to do so.

The greatest war hero of all is Jesus. Caught in the heat of the battle of the ages, Jesus came to earth and was tortured and killed by the enemy so that both His friends and enemies could have the opportunity to live.

And yet Jesus did not have to die. He said to Peter in Matthew 26:53, “Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” He chose to die. Jesus could have opted to remain in heaven and leave earth to its fate. No one would have blamed Him if He had.

Jesus was committed, not to His own welfare, but to the welfare of others. Jesus was a true hero, who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Jesus died willingly for the sins of the world, knowing that the sacrifice He made would result in heaven being populated by men and women and boys and girls who had been redeemed because of the Cross.

He wasn’t awarded a Purple Heart or a Congressional Medal of Honor for what He did. But you can honor His heroism by giving Him your heart today.