When our identities are rooted in God, we cling to nothing and thus have the psychological capacity to make sacrifices for the sake of others. Jesus interprets his cross for his disciples in this way, teaching them that it represents love and self-expenditure for the sake of others: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13) In other words, the cross symbolizes the Christian identity and the call to willingly “lay down our lives” for others.
