Sgt. Jarrod W. Black

On December 12, 2003, Sgt. Jarrod W. Black, 26, was killed when his convoy was hit by an explosive device in Iraq. He left behind two sons and a widow who was pregnant with their daughter. Sgt. Black was the son of William and Jane Black of Peru, Indiana.

This young soldier’s death was tragic, but there was something positive that resulted from his sacrifice. You see, his younger brother, Brandon, 24, was also a soldier serving in Iraq. The Army did not want to put this family through any more grief, so Brandon was brought home. His brother’s death had ensured that he would be safe, at least from the bullets and bombs of Iraq.

In the same way, the sacrificial death of Jesus ensures that his followers will not have to face spiritual death. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”—1 John 2:2.