No greater love has one man for another than one lays down his life.
We easily accept this idea on the surface. Growing up in the church, there is an understanding that Jesus did that. It is accepted – perhaps even easily. But when someone near sacrifices himself, we don’t accept the gift very easily. We question why he did not ask for help. We feel disappointed he did not allow us to help or trust us to help.
There is a girl who was being abused. She was told to stay quiet or the abuser would hurt her little sister. Now, the parents tell her she was wrong to not talk about it. But she was laying herself down to protect.
There is a husband who did not want his wife to worry. He fretted alone and now the wife is disappointed she was not trusted with the worry. He protects and she is disappointed she was not allowed to be part of the team.
Sacrifice is not an easy gift to give. And it is a very difficult gift to receive.
It is true. A difficult job for anyone.