Most of us have been at a concert, a sports game, or a church service where veterans are asked to stand up and be recognized. They are given appreciation because of their dedication and service to this country. Ultimately, when we thank the military for what they've done for us - we thank them because of their level of sacrifice.
Those working in the military sign up to potentially give their lives in service for their country, and many have lost their lives in the wars that we have been involved in. Our armed forces resemble sacrifice in a very tangible way, and that’s why we thank them. In the same way, we thank God for the sacrifice he made for us. In some of the last words recorded of Jesus before his death, he shared this with his disciples: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Jesus gave us a picture of the greatest sacrifice on earth, because he did lay down his life for his friends. But he also lay down his life for those who despised him, rejected him, or ignored him. Just like we would thank an army member who sacrificed to protect us, we thank God for sacrificing himself to save us. We thank God for the level of his love, which was to let the sin of the world rest on the shoulders of his Son Jesus, killing him. But through the resurrection power and new life through him, we get to live in response to that loving sacrifice. As 1 John 4:10 says:
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”