There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15:13 (NLT)]

These were the words spoken by Jesus just hours before his betrayal, arrest, sham trial and crucifixion. It was love that brought him willingly to the cross.

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [Romans 5:7-8 (NLT)]