Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

In Suzanne Collins’ novel The Hunger Games, teenager Katniss Everdeen bravely volunteers for a dangerous assignment. She nobly takes the place of her younger sister to compete in a government-mandated competition that will almost assuredly lead to her death.

Katniss’ heroic act is the basis for a story that has become quite popular. The movie based on the book brought in $683.8 million worldwide at the box office.

This tale of sacrificial love also reminds us of a true story—the greatest story ever told–that Jesus willingly volunteered to die in our place.

Romans 5:6-8 says, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”