Reflections on the Sunday Sermon

June 15, 2024

Speaker: Laura Calzone

“I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!”

By Linda Cobourn

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

(Romans 5:8)

It was a moment that stunned everyone. In The Hunger Games, a dystopian story set in the fictional nation of Panem, a yearly event forces children to fight to the death for the entertainment of the ruling class. When young Primrose Everdeen’s name is called to compete, her older sister Katniss does the unthinkable—she steps forward and cries out, “I volunteer as tribute!” In that one brave moment, Katniss saves her beloved sister’s life, offering her own in exchange.

This kind of love is rare among humans, but not with God. Agape love—the highest form of love—is selfless and expects nothing in return. As Romans 5:7 reminds us:

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.

But God’s love for us is different. He loves deliberately, sacrificially, without waiting for us to deserve it.

We see this kind of love in the story of Ruth. After tragedy struck their family, Naomi tried to send her daughters-in-law back to their own people, but Ruth refused. She left behind her homeland, her family, and her future to walk beside Naomi into an uncertain life. Ruth’s words in Ruth 1:16 echo with courageous love:

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

Like Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi—but in an even greater way—Jesus chose to walk with us. He chose to be with us. And He didn’t just risk His life; He gave it. Willingly.

The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

We deserved death.

Jesus offered life.

Jesus volunteered to take our place, to stand where we could not stand, to carry what we could not carry. He loved us with agape love—not because we earned it, but because that’s who He is.

Now, we’re called to reflect that love to others. Not only in words, but in action. As Peter reminds us:

The end of all things is near. Therefore be solemn and sober so you can pray. Above all things, have unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:7-8)

Choosing love often means sacrifice, but we don’t do it alone. The One who volunteered for us now lives within us, strengthening us to love as He loves.

Takeaway:
God’s love is sacrificial—not because we deserve it, but because that’s who God is. Jesus volunteered for us. This week, let’s reflect His love by choosing to love others without expecting anything in return.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for showing us true love—the kind of love that sacrifices and gives freely. Help us to love like You love, even when it’s difficult. Give us eyes to see those around us who need encouragement, forgiveness, or kindness. Teach us to love without expecting anything back, just as You have loved us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.