Love and Sacrifice

I have heard some dismiss the gravity of Christ sacrifice. Some may say that Christ sacrifice was not so harsh since He knew He would be resurrected. Scripture does show that He knew what was to become of Him.

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Luke 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. KJV

Yes He knew this but still He also had to endure torture and crucifixion. Jesus was stripped, beaten, slapped, whipped, and spat on. After that He was made to drag the cross He was to be nailed to and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. Nails were driven through his body impaling Him to the cross. (See Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19) Any of that sound easy to endure? Jesus was on earth only about 32 years. From the age of 12 He was studying, teaching, and doing all the other works of God that He was to do.

We must make a sacrifice as well. Our sacrifice is easier. We must sacrifice selfish desire, a worldly lifestyle. We must submit to God's will. Yes there will be some who are persecuted and some put to death because of faith in Christ.

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. KJV

See also: Acts 26:9-11, Mat 10:23, 23:34, Luke 11:49, Acts 7:52, Acts 22:4 This is not the entire list. Still for most the sacrifice is living a godly life and serving others. Eternal joy, love, and life just for giving up wants and sin and for giving love unselfishly. Who else will ever make you such an offer?

Yeah that's a lot of scripture. But that's a good thing. The point of all this scripture on sacrifice is Love. Lovingly offering of one's self for others.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

1John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the LOVE of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. KJV

Isn't it great to be loved so much? Return that love. May God bless you all.