Sacrifice

Read John 15:9-18

"I demand that you love each other as much as I love you.And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; and you are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you slaves, for a master doesn't confide in his slaves; now you are my friends, proved by the fact that I have told you everything the Father told me." John 15: 12-15 (TLB)

Lauren Herth, from Kentucky, was recently out of town with her family, and since it was Sunday, they visited a church in the area. Before the sermon began, there were a few moments of thanks for those who had served in our country's armed forces and made the ultimate sacrifice - their lives.

Lauren has seen many similar dedications, but that memorial struck her differently than any had before. Long after the service ended, the scripture at the end of the memorial video played in her mind: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." This verse reminds us that Christ laid down his life to save all humanity from sin. Giving up one's life is an extreme way to show love, but this verse made Lauren wonder, What does sacrifice look like in daily life?

Many weeks after that worship service, Lauren is still pondering that verse. Even if she is not laying down her physical life for her friends, she cam go out of her way to show kindness not only to her loved ones but also to her neighbor across the street, the person at the grocery store, or an acquaintance she happens to see in town. Laying down one's life, or simply laying down one's busy schedule in order to show God's love to others, is a habit worth embracing.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for giving us the example of ultimate sacrifice through Christ. Help us to sacrifice time throughout our day to share your love with others, in Jesus' name. Amen.