As Jesus was already crucified, the chief priests and the teachers of religious law also mocked Him, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself.”

Ironically, these mocking words perfectly described Christ’s purpose on earth: He had come to save everyone, and it was never His plan to save Himself.

Instead, He had said of Himself: “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).

Jesus knew very well that He had to give His life as a ransom for many. That’s why He demanded the same attitude from His followers when He told them to carry their cross as a symbol of sacrifice for the sake of others.

There, He said to them: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will also be. If anyone serves Me, My Father will honor him” (John 12:26).

The call for every follower of Jesus is sacrificial: It means giving one’s life for the Master, just as He gave His life for us. But the result is highly significant: We have abundant life and the immense satisfaction of seeing many finding true happiness in God.