I recently read a news story about a father who was at the pool with his child. The child started struggling in the water, and the father realized his child was drowning. He ran to the side of the pool, kicked off his shoes and threw his cellphone to a friend. Then he dove in and saved his child.

It was an inspiring story, to say the least. Yet, I had a slight problem with the father’s actions. Read the previous paragraph again and see if you catch it.

He stopped long enough to kick off his shoes and toss his cellphone to safety. His child was drowning right in front of him, and he took the time to consider his shoes and cellphone!

If it had been me, I wouldn’t have thought twice. I would have jumped into the water regardless of my shoes, cellphone or anything else I had in my pockets. I would have spared nothing. Just as God spared nothing when he sent his own son to die for our sins.

Have you ever really considered what it cost God to send Jesus to die for us? Jesus was perfect, yet he was sent to die for imperfect creatures. Jesus was sinless, yet he was sent to die for sinners. Jesus was holy, yet he was sent to die for the unholy. God gave up so much to save us, and he spared nothing — even though it cost him his son.

Now consider what Jesus gave up when he came to save us. Like his heavenly father, he spared nothing when he came. In 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, we find out even though Jesus was equal with God, he emptied himself and took on human form. He took on the lowliest of human forms, a servant.

As if it wasn’t enough, he then humbled himself and became obedient to death on a cross. It was a very brutal form of execution.

Why is it God spared nothing? Why is it Jesus spared nothing?

I believe they spared nothing, because they knew what they had to gain was us. What they had to gain was you. You and I were worth everything to them. So, they spared nothing in making a way for us to be with them for all eternity.

Have you responded to their sacrifice? If not, receive Christ today.

The Rev. Parrish Myers is a local minister living in Braselton. His column appears biweekly in Sunday Life and on gainesvilletimes.com/life.