Sacrifice

When was the last time you went out of your way to help someone in need?  I’m not referring to the time you took someone to their scheduled appointment.  I’m talking about when you’re knee deep into cleaning out the garage, or planting your vegetable garden, and someone calls and says they need you now.  Did you make excuses so that you could finish your own plans?

The great thing about sacrifice is that it is temporary.  Your unselfish desire to help another may just be the greatest blessing of their life.  I can remember when I was a single mother and money was tight.  And, just when I was wondering how to rearrange my bills to make ends meet, a check would arrive in the mail from my mom. It was her giving spirit that made me want to give to those in need. 

In the spiritual realm, offering is a fitting image of total surrender, of our heartfelt desire to draw near to the living and holy God despite our sinfulness. 

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for all of humanity.  He could have chosen to stay in Heaven with God, yet He gave His own life so that you and I could live a life here on earth.

 We will never be able to do what Jesus did, but we can start by being more selfless, and looking for opportunities to tell others about Jesus so that when this life here is over, they too can live in eternity with our Creator.

 Hebrews 9:28 - “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”