Lenten-Meditations-2015-w

Sacrifice
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Greater Love Has No Man
READ: John 15:9-17
KEY VERSE: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his
life for his friends.” – John 15:13 (ESV)
“What is in it for me?” This was the question Joe asked his dad when told to
mow the lawn. Many of us approach life’s situations from the perspective
of Joe. Like the movie line “Show me the money,” we envision the benefits
before service is rendered.
The call to sacrifice challenges us to deny our own desires, wants, and in some
instances, needs so that others may experience life in more meaningful ways.
To sacrifice is to love, and to love is to sacrifice. It is to do as Jesus is asking – to
lay down our lives for our friends.
Sacrifice is difficult because it requires more than a contribution, showing up
or expressing sympathy. It requires life itself. Sacrifice makes demands that
will seem unreasonable. But Jesus is not asking us to do anything that He
didn’t do. Was dying on Calvary’s cross reasonable? But He did it for you and
me. –Rev. Emmett Dunn
LOOKING WITHIN: When was the last time I totally went out of my way
to help someone else? Do I mostly think about personal benefits before
extending a helping hand?
Lord, open my eyes to see others as you see me, hear others as you hear me
and feel the pains of others as you feel my pains so that I will uplift others
for the good of the kingdom. Amen.
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