We struggle to understand God’s character when it compromises our expectations. While we frustrate and rebel against the idea of a just God, the reality is that we love fairness. Like children, we love it when it works for us. Yet, God is only just and fair if he keeps his word about the price on sin to the same degree that he keeps his promises. While holding onto the promise to break us free from sin and darkness, we must accept the consequence of death for our rebellion. Incapable of death defying feats, we find ourselves, yet again, in need of saving. In need of a hero. There comes a time in every hero’s story when they have to do the unthinkable. Some are imprisoned, some injured, some experience loss, some are even tortured. In one way or another, they must choose between themselves and the ones they love. Those we revere as heroes choose us. While most would consider obedience to death a paradox, it is the extent to which Jesus’ obeys God the Father, that we would be saved. To rescue us from the clutches of the evil one, Jesus pays our ransom and dies our death. Sacrifice is the pinnacle of Jesus’ heroism. The heroing circumstances of Jesus’ life span the gamut of adventure and adversity, but who can imagine death. With the power to create and define the universe in the palm of his hands, power restrained isn’t what we imagine. However, brawn and brute force won’t do because they are the weapons of this world. Quiet refrain demonstrates his real power. Quiet refrain rescues humanity from certain death. Some believe this act of sacrifice is the product of his love for humanity, others believe it to be the product of His love for God the Father. At the end of the day, he is revered for both. His loyalty and dedication to the will of God His Father is honorable and we love Him for the demonstrative love He shows us when he dies on the cross. What must we mean to Him? The scene is set. God the Father sets the price on sin, and Jesus gives all, raising the bid to priceless. Sacrificial love places value on the object of affection. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the value. Jesus supersedes our appraisal and gives everything. No haggling, the complaining, no compromise, to Him, we are priceless. The cost of redemption for all of humanity calls for a death of epic proportions. Tortured for us; pain intended for us, life relinquished for us, he dies for our sin that we may be set free. Life for life. He who knows no sin, takes on the sin of the whole world, becoming a shield from the rightful wrath of God the Father. Unto us is given a gift of love.