If you enjoy history as much as I do, you may have heard of a certain general who served under Emperor Cyrus, the great founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Cyrus was renowned for his military conquests, his policies of tolerance, and for establishing one of the largest empires the world has ever known.

While this general was away on duty, his wife was falsely accused of treason and sentenced to death. The general returned just before the sentence was to be carried out. Standing before Cyrus, he pleaded to take his wife’s place and die instead.

Deeply moved, Cyrus responded, “Love like this must not be spoiled by death,” and he granted the wife a full pardon.

As they left the palace, the husband said, “Did you notice how kindly the king looked upon us when he gave you your freedom?”
She replied, “No. I had no eyes for the king. I saw only the man who was willing to die for me.”

That ancient story gives us a faint but powerful echo of a far greater love. The general, the husband, offered his life to save his wife; King Jesus gave His life to save His bride. Unlike Cyrus, who pardoned out of compassion, Jesus paid the full price Himself—stepping into our place, bearing our sentence, and proving that true love is measured by sacrifice. We, like the wife, fix our eyes not on the throne, but on the One who was willing to die for us.

This Valentine’s Day, that love sets the standard for husbands. We are not called merely to provide flowers or words, but to reflect Christ’s heart—protecting, covering, serving, and standing between danger and the woman God has entrusted to us. Biblical love isn’t passive or self-focused; it is watchful, courageous, and self-giving. A godly husband asks daily, How can I lay down my life—my comfort, pride, and preferences—for her good? That kind of love still turns heads . . . and still changes lives.

Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!

Andy Oldham is the founder and co-creator of Christian Grandfather Magazine. He received his B.A. in religious studies and education from Anderson University. He has served as pastor to senior adults, and fills pulpits when needed. Andy taught memoir classes at the local library and after writing his personal memoirs wrote Everlasting Cronies, a story of growing up in rural Louisiana. His inspirational column in the Northside Sun Newspaper was well received by his community. A poem, Winters Grace has been honored by the Mississippi Poetry Society. He and his wife, Barbara, have six grandchildren and enjoy retirement in Mississippi.

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