We hear it much more frequently now in regard to casualties on the battlefield: They made "the supreme sacrifice." They gave "the last full measure of devotion." These are ways of acknowledging the courage of those who put their lives on the line for the sake of loyalty to a cause or movement they count as greater than themselves. It is often described in the language of love.
There has always been a deep connection between love and life, the giving of life, the offering up of one's life for the sake of others. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down their life for their friend." (John 15:13) Weighed out on the scales of human devotion, that's the greatest gift one can give, "the supreme sacrifice," "the last full measure of devotion."
But there is a greater gift yet, as measured out on the scales of divine love. Read John 10:7-16 and Romans 5:1-8. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep! Jesus offered himself up, not for the righteous, but sinners! The Son of God poured himself out for us as the supreme sacrifice, the full measure of love, God's redeeming love. Greater love has no one than that! "God did not spare his own Son, but offered him up for us all."(Romans 8:32) "God made him to be sin who knew no sin; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."(2 Corinthians 5:21) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that all those who believe in him might not perish, but have eternal life."(John3:16)
Those words always take the shape of the cross. Every time we see the form of the cross we might well perceive those words emblazoned across it, and know that they are meant for us and for all, for the world and for you and me. Here is the heart of God, the self-surrender of God in our behalf, the theology of the cross which theologian Jurgen Moltmann expresses this way, the cross of the Son of God therefore reveals a change in God. "It takes on Christian form in the simple formula which contradicts all possible metaphysical & historical ideas of God: It says simply, 'God is love!'" (Crucified God. p.193)
"The Son of God loved me, and gave himself for me." Even me. Greater love has no one than this!
Page Last Updated: March 31, 2003
