The heart-wrenching attack on Ukraine by Russia is a clear demonstration of the worst of humanity. Yet amidst the destructive cruelty we’ve seen play out daily on our televisions, there has also been evidence of the best of humanity.
Many volunteer soldiers and untrained civilians have gone to Ukraine to help fight on their behalf. Others have left the comfort and safety of their homes to help Ukrainian civilians with food, clothing, and medical needs.
One nurse interviewed on CNN said that she had helped in Afghanistan and now she is helping in Ukraine. When asked why she would put her own life in danger, she replied, “My life is no more valuable than theirs.”
Amidst the hell of war, this nurse and numerous others are modeling Jesus, who taught, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). The people of Ukraine are but strangers to these selfless heroes; still, they are willing to die, if necessary, to help secure Ukraine’s freedom from the grasp of tyranny.
Their example makes me even more awestruck by what our Savior did. To secure our freedom from the tyranny of Satan—a tyranny that could have brought eternal consequences—Jesus freely offered up his life in our place. We weren’t friends or even strangers; we were enemies of God, yet “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Praise God for such an outpouring of love, and praise those who model God’s love in our world!
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About the Author
Jan Gompper
Jan Gompper spent most of her career teaching theatre at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee. She also served six years as a cohost for Time of Grace during its start-up years. She has collaborated on two faith-based musicals, numerous Christian songs, and has written and codirected scripts for a Christian video series. She and her husband now reside in the Tampa area, where she continues to practice her acting craft and coach aspiring acting students as opportunities arise. She also assists with Sunday school and other church-related activities.