Hope in the Sacrifice
Will you trust Jesus, no matter what happens?
One of my favorite church experiences is watching people declare their faith.
About once per month, our pastor gives a message that compels people to come to faith. He ends by inviting people to stand up and say, "I Believe." Many do, some with loud voices, others barely able to speak. After a long silent pause, giving as many people as possible the space they need for such an important decision, we all clap loudly, hoot and holler, and rejoice in the Lord for the new creations just birthed.
When I first became a believer, I was thrilled to start a new life with God. In my new identity in Christ, it was my hope to experience renewal, deep love, hope, grace, peace, and so much more. I wanted Jesus to guide me to a life of purpose, meaning, and beauty. I expected to receive blessings from my heavenly Father. All of this came true and more. But the journey of faith is surprising, and sacrifice is at the core of it. Much of what we desire, what He desires, the most precious gifts, in fact, will come through sacrifice.
Jesus was rejected, dishonored, abandoned in his suffering. It was by divine necessity that his sacrifice took place. On the Mount of Olives, Jesus asked his disciples to pray for him. He knew the hour had come for his greatest suffering. As his knees buckled, Jesus fell to the ground, perhaps with his face so close to the ground that he could breathe in dirt, and he prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39) Jesus sacrificed, "For the joy that was set before him..." (Hebrews 12:2), the world, you, and me.
Just as Jesus sacrificed, suffered, and was rejected, we as his disciples are called to sacrifice. It's not if, but when. Jesus was honest about this.
"Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. John 13:16a
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Suffering and sacrifice are not the same, for sacrifice only happens if we're willing. Our sacrifice can be small (to give someone a gift from our excess), or it can be huge (to give others our very life), or everything in between. This is the essence of the cross.
The English Christian missionary William Carey put it this way, "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God".
You will not regret it, not in the end.
Would you ever eagerly say yes to an invitation to suffering? I hope so. For I am convinced, a cloud of witnesses and heavenly angels will stand up and clap loudly, hoot and holler, and rejoice in the Lord for the new creations just birthed.
One more encouragement…
Consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won't grow weary and give up. Hebrews 12:3
Q. What type of sacrifice done by others inspire you the most?
Q. What if you sacrificed in some way just a little more this week? Who would benefit?