In the days after September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush agonized over the decision to send U.S. troops into combat in the war against terror. He knew that there would be casualties and that each life lost would be devastating for the family involved. During that time, the president received a letter from a fourth-grade girl whose father was in the military. She said, “As much as I don’t want my dad to fight, I’m willing to give him to you.”

Bush later wrote, “My anxiety about the sacrifice was mitigated by the urgency of the cause.”

The need to set humanity free from their sin was urgent enough to send Jesus Christ to the cross. Jesus asked his Father if there was any other way (Matthew 26:36-42). But as Hebrews 9:22 says, “…Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”—Hebrews 9:28.