Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2 NLT
Jeff was living his dream of being a Marine Pilot and flying for the legendary Blue Angels. Everyone knew Jeff to be loyal, kind, compassionate and a loving father and husband. Life couldn’t have been better for Jeff as he had so much to live for. But, on a recent afternoon his life was cut short. Not because someone took his life, but because he gave it.
As his aircraft began to malfunction, and only split seconds to make a decision, for Jeff there was no deciding. Letting his jet crash into a residential area potential killing or hurting others just wasn’t an option. Yes, he could have saved his on life, but instead he laid it down.
Jesus Himself said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Interestingly, Captain Kuss had no friends that he new of on the ground that faithful day. To his knowledge, he knew no one that lived in those apartment buildings or homes below, yet he stayed in his jet to steer it away. Its one thing to lay your life down for a friend, but what about people you don’t even know?
We all would like to think we would have done the same, but none of us could say with certainty what we would do.
Over 2,000 years ago, “One” laid His life down for a people that didn’t know Him. His once and for all sacrifice paved a way for us to the Father. He forever set the example of “Greater Love” and so freely died for us so that we could live freely. Free from guilt, condemnation, and free from eternal doom.
Today, let’s honor and remember those who have willing given all, but especially the One who gave once and for all.