Have You Accepted Christ’s Sacrifice?
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Most folks understand something about sacrifice. They can comprehend the dedication and sacrifice needed to become an All-American or professional athlete. Many have been in wars and know all too well the commitment and sacrifice required to be victorious. Some folks make tremendous sacrifices to master a favorite hobby or passion. Moms and Dads make sacrifices every day to care for their children. Still, will we ever fully comprehend the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us?
I recall a story a friend of mine shared about sacrifice — a sacrifice of love.
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by this eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings.
The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze arrived and the heat singed her small body, the mother remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings had lived.
And so, it is in these later days, God is gathering together those who accept the sacrificial death of Christ on Calvary’s Cross in order that they may be eternally spared. Yet so many reject Him, running fool-heartedly into the flames. The anguish of Christ’s words to the unsaved in Jerusalem breaks my heart: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)
Are you willing now? If you have never accepted His sacrifice, it is my prayer that you would do so right now. He paid a very dear price for you. Confess your sins and accept His gift of salvation. Allow Him to be Lord of your life, loving you, teaching you, and changing you!
Let us never forget the sacrifice that Christ made for us. He is still our Protector, our Deliverer, our Redeemer, and Lord. Let’s take some time today to thank Him with our praises.
Personal Application
How have you sacrificed for someone else? What is something you could do for a loved one struggling with an issue? “and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
Honor someone with your love and presence who isn’t expecting you to contact them: “But our High Priest offered himself to God as one sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down at the place of highest honor at God’s right hand.” (Hebrews 10:12 NLT)
Worship Christ for the sacrifice He made on Calvary’s Cross. “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you — I whom you have redeemed.” (Psalm 71:23)
How about sending this and other Weekly Devotionals off to someone you love who doesn’t yet accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord? How can we help you reach out to the lost people in your life? Have you checked out our new website mensministrycatalyst.org for resources you can get that will help others to know Jesus? Even our weekly radio programs of Man Up! are available for you to pass-along to others.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.