Whether we agree or disagree about the justice and advisability of our country’s war in Iraq, I think we can all agree that individual soldiers have demonstrated incredible heroism on the field of battle.One such soldier is Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. Here’s how his Medal of Honor citation describes his heroic actions:

On [April 4, 2003], Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded.

The citation described SFC Smith’s deeds as “acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty,” which they obviously were. SFC Smith sacrificed his life for the safety and wellbeing of his fellow soldiers. Such actions are the stuff of heroism.

And yet, Jesus Christ displayed an infinitely greater level of heroism on the cross. Consider what Paul wrote in Romans 5.6-8:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Compare and contrast these two forms of heroism. Both involve sacrificing your self for the wellbeing of others. But the similarities end there. Heroes such as SFC Smith died to save their comrades. Jesus Christ heroically died to save his enemies. Without in any way taking away from the heroism of SFC Smith’s actions, I would suggest that Jesus’ death on the cross is the infinitely greater form of heroism.

Paul tells us that Jesus’ death for sinners is a demonstration of God’s love for us. We are sinners. We have dishonored God and disobeyed his commandments in numerous ways. And because of our actions, we deserve nothing but judgment. We are, as it were, enemy soldiers fighting against God. God fights back with the weapon of love. Jesus Christ does not send his enemies to their deaths. Rather, he dies for his enemies, giving them a life they do not deserve. This is an act of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. Love always is.