The Greatest Sacrifice

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (Jn. 15:13)

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not parish, but have everlasting life. (Jn. 3:16)

The greatest sacrifice made on behalf of another, isn't in dying. The greatest sacrifice is to love. The greatest expression of love was ultimately realized in the willingness to die. Christ died many deaths before the death at Golgotha. He died to His own will to do the will of the Father. He died to the glory of heaven to enter a broken world. He died to the glory of a king to be a lowly peasant. He died to the idea of being served to serve others.

It cost to love. You have to constantly give yourself away. Love calls you to do the things the flesh fights to preserve. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Can I help? Will you forgive me? I love you!"

The chances that you or I will ever be called on to actually die in the place of another person is slim to none. But the reality of dying while yet alive is ever present. "Not my will but thine be done." There's the sacrifice.

When you choose the greatest sacrifice of all, (to love) you have no problem dying when the opportunity arises. Jn. 17