December 4

Self-Sacrifice

The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” — Luke 23:35 BSB

It was because Jesus came to save others that He could not save Himself. A soldier cannot save himself in battle and save his country at the same time. A mother cannot spare herself and save her child. Jesus could have saved Himself, but what would have become of us?

There is a story of three children lost by the sea. The next morning, two of the children were found alive and warm, covered with seaweed, while the third, their older sister, lay dead nearby. She had given her own clothing and gathered seaweed to keep the younger ones warm, sacrificing her life for theirs. There is also the account of a doctor during a plague who, knowing that someone must dissect a victim of the disease to discover a cure, volunteered himself for the task. He performed the operation, recorded his findings, and died of the plague, but his work saved many lives.

These stories illustrate the self-sacrifice of Jesus. He could have saved Himself, but in doing so, the world would have been lost. His death was voluntary; He gave His life for the salvation of others. We are saved today because He chose not to save Himself.