Pastor’s Pen
Greater Love
In Iraq, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor and his SEAL platoon performed patrols in a very dangerous part of Ramadi called the Ma’laab district.
On Sept. 29, 2006, Monsoor’s platoon came under attack when an enemy fighter shot a rocket-propelled grenade at his building. Aware enemy attack would continue, the SEALs remained on the rooftop to continue their mission of guarding the west flank of the Coalition’s main effort.
Suddenly, an enemy fighter threw a grenade onto the roof. The grenade hit Monsoor in the chest and bounced onto the floor. He immediately jumped to his feet and yelled “grenade” to warn his fellow SEALs of imminent danger.
With no time to evacuate the sniper nest, Monsoor, in an act of self-sacrifice threw himself on the grenade to protect his comrades who were nearby. The grenade exploded, mortally wounding Monsoor while only wounding his teammates. His heroic action saved their lives.
On April 8, 2008, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in Iraq on Sept. 29, 2006.
Monsoor’s selfless act reminds us of an infinitely greater selfless act, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ’s on the cross.
Jesus Christ left heaven’s abode to die a sinner’s death. 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” In other words, His death was substitutionary, meaning He died in our place. He paid the penalty our sins deserved.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9).
God the Son took upon Himself a position of a servant who voluntarily surrendered Himself to death on a cross (Phil. 2:5-8) so that we who are poor spiritually might be made rich. The riches of Christ are salvation-forgiveness, joy, peace and hope of life eternal.
There is no greater love than this. Do you know this love?
Pastor Craig Ressler
Hartville Church of Christ