Sacrifice

The other day, I read a story about a British marine named Matthew Croucher.

Croucher and three other marines were walking through a dangerous area in Afghanistan when he looked down and suddenly realized that he had set off a trip wire that was connected to a grenade.

Thinking quickly, he told his squad mates to get down.

Acting bravely, he jumped on the grenade and rolled onto his back to cover the grenade with his backpack.

The blast flung him through the air, and after gathering his thoughts, he realized that he had only suffered a nosebleed.

He was given the George Cross, the medal for the highest level of bravery, for his sacrifice.

His selfless bravery saved his fellow marines, and his quick thinking also saved his life.

I could not read this without being reminded of the most important sacrifice.

What is a sacrifice?

Thinking of Croucher’s story, a sacrifice is restricting or sometimes even submitting to harm for the sake of others.

Croucher soberly evaluated the situation, with only 7 seconds to do so, realising that he tripped the wire.

He did not think of himself above others and was willing to die for those around him.

Now think about Christ, his teachings, and ultimately, upon the cross: we were shown a different interpretation of sacrifice.

This was an act of love, of generosity.

!This passage highlights the Lord’s desire that we offer our bodies up to the Lord as a sacrifice, not to receive his love merely, but also to give love in return.