People who serve us will die. That's the reality of this crisis. People who could have kept themselves safe by staying at home, instead go to work where they could die. Some go to the most infectious areas to give those that were sick a fighting chance of getting better, and in doing so increase their chance of dying.
We are familiar with sacrificial love within our families but this is sacrificing for the stranger regardless of race, attitude or wealth. This pandemic has shone a spotlight on those we have often taken for granted. It's right that we clap them and others like them who serve us behind the scenes. Theirs is a love for the stranger that could cost them their live.
Sacrificial love is at the heart of the events of that first Easter. Jesus' love was costly. He gave his life for those who hated him. While it was usual for the crucified man to call down curses upon those who had put him there, Jesus asked his Heavenly Father to forgive. Such love; that cries "Forgive" those who nailed his wrists and feet to the cross. Such love; that cries "Forgive" those who gather around the cross to mock and jeer him. Such love that takes the full weight of the punishment we deserve (Isaiah 53: 5-6) and cries forgive them. This is heart melting love.
This is the love that Easter shines a spotlight on. This is the love that everyday we clap and rejoice in. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." This is the love that defeats death. Has this love melted your heart? If it has, death brings us joyfully to Jesus Christ.
What riches of kindness He lavished on us
His blood was the payment His life was the cost
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
