Many of us go through life talking about how we have to sacrifice for our families, give up things for our friends, and lose out on opportunities because of our jobs. A sacrifice is an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure. A sacrifice is a loss or something you give up, usually for the sake of a better cause. Parents sacrifice time and sleep to take care of their children, while kids might sacrifice TV time to hang out with mom and dad.
Sacrifice is a simple concept that we should understand and recognize in our daily life. In addition to the definitions given, we must agree that we sacrifice many times each day to some extent. Any time we give up something so someone else can have or achieve something and we maintain a peaceful mind or atmosphere we are making a sacrifice even if it is very small. Allowing someone to enter a door first, giving in to a loved one’s desire to do something you don’t really want to do, allowing a child to win at a game, and many more examples could and should be considered a sacrifice. “
This time of year, it is important for each of us to think about the ultimate sacrifice and to thank for God for the sacrifice he made for us. John 3:16-17 tells us about a true sacrifice stating, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Jesus willingly went to the cross knowing his fate, accepting the sins of the world, so each one of us could have forgiveness and the opportunity for eternal life. Jesus while on the cross said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (in response to one of the two thieves crucified next to him) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (last words).
The word or phrase “sacrifice” appears 336 times in the King James Bible starting in Genesis 31:54 and ending in Hebrews 13:15. To offer up a sacrifice is a divine institution. Man did not invent sacrifice. God actually directed man to worship by offering sacrifices, and the idea is throughout the Bible. Hebrews 13:16 tells us to, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Romans 12:1 states, “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” And then Galatians 2:20 reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
While being human is sometimes difficult we need to remember our troubles are small and our sacrifices are insignificant compared to Jesus. Without the sacrifice made by Jesus our lives would have no purpose and the chance of eternal life would not exist.