th (1)Do you know anyone who fought in one of our nations wars?  I had an uncle and a great uncle who served in multiple wars, but neither ever spoke about it.  When I was in high school we had a Vietnam veteran come and share some of his story in  history class.  We were captivated by what he shared. He told one story that burned into my memory and I can recall it today as if I just heard it.

We were in a fox hole, me and my buddy, with gunfire all around us. It was intense and the enemy seemed to be winning, but we were giving it our all.  A grenade landed in the hole. There was no time to think, only react.  My buddy looked me straight in the eye, winked then dove on top of the grenade, taking the full explosion, leaving me safe. He died. I tell this story to all who will listen to honor him. We weren’t just soldiers, we were best friends.  He died so I could live. It’s because of him I sit here today.”

John 15:13 says,

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

I remember sitting in history class staring at this man in uniform, looking so strong and regal, with tears steaming down his face. It had been years since he served, yet he wept for his friend and for the sacrifice he made. He knew he was loved and he knew the sacrifice that love cost his friend.
Jesus did the same for us. He died on the cross for our sins. He did so out of love for us. Yet, unlike this soldier, many times we fail to acknowledge the sacrifice. Romans 5:8 says,

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This soldier embraced the gift his friend gave him, life, and he tells this story to any and all who will listen to honor the sacrifice and the man who made it. While the young soldier’s death saved the life of one man for a time, the death and resurrection of Christ saved all who will receive Him and it isn’t just for a time.  Christ died for us so we can be with Him in eternity [Ecclesiastes 3:11, John 17:24].

When was the last time you told someone what Christ did for you?  Don’t you think it’s time to tell your story? It has the power to move those who hear it and mark them for the Kingdom. He sacrificed everything for you.  That’s a story worth telling.