SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1373

“Sacrificial Love”

It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. – Matthew 20:26-27; John 15:13

It is in our nature to desire to be great and to be first. No one likes to be picked last when picking teams. Everyone desires to be named the MVP. In God’s Kingdom, however, being great and first means to turn our natural inclinations upside down.

Jesus taught that to be considered ‘great’ (megas) we need to voluntarily serve and minister (diakonos-servant) to others.

He took it one step further and said that to be ‘first’ (protos – best; foremost) we must be a slave (doulos – bondservant).

Jesus also taught that the greatest love is sacrificial – to be willing to be poured out for others.

Jesus did not merely ‘teach’ as the Pharisees did. He put His teachings into practice, setting an example for us to follow. Jesus is our Servant-Slave-Savior.

Jesus was a servant Matthew 20:28a – (He) came not to be served but to serve. (diakonos)

Jesus was a slave Philippians 2:7 – but emptied himself, by taking the form of a slave. (doulos)

Jesus poured out His life Matthew 20:28b – (He) came to give his life as a ransom for many.

How do we follow Jesus’ example in our day-to-day life?

Sacrificial Love of Praise – It is easy to praise and worship when everything is coming up roses. When times are difficult and you feel angry, resentful, and questioning God’s love, are you willing in faith to die to self and offer a sacrifice of praise? Are you willing to continue to sacrificially serve Him and pour out your praise to ‘prime the pump’ in faith that God will yet see you through these difficult times?

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name – Hebrews 13:15

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. – Romans 12:1

Sacrificial Love in Life – There is a freedom in the born-again Christian’s life having been forgiven, cleansed, and possessing a clear conscience. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, our freedom must be tempered by our love for others whose faith and relationship with Jesus is fragile or non-existent.

In following Jesus are we willing to be a servant-slave to others as Jesus was and to die to our self-interests, being willing to be sacrificially poured out in His Name.

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up; But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. – 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Corinthians 8:9

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. – Philippians 2:17

Sacrificial Love in Marriage – Nowhere is the example of Christ’s sacrifice as a servant-slave as explicit as it is in instructing husbands to love their wives. Husbands are you willing to die to your self-interests and be a servant-slave to your wife as Jesus is to His church? Are you willing to pour yourself out to prime the pump of your marriage relationship to receive an abundance of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your marriage relationship?

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her – Ephesians 5:25

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; – Galatians 5:22-23

Servant – Slave – Sacrifice – A secular wisdom story is told about a thirsty traveler who comes upon an abandoned farm with a well pump. There is a jug of water next to the pump with a note: ‘Do not drink this water. Pour it all into the pump to prime it, and you will have an abundance of water.’ The traveler has to decide whether to die to self – his flesh craving for water – and in faith, pour it all into the pump to prime it in hope of receiving an abundant supply in return.

The traveler has to also decide whether to self-serve or serve others who will come after him by after having his needs met, refill the container, leaving others a full jug of water and instructions as to how to obtain an abundance and thereby ministering to the needs of others.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it; Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. – Matthew 16:24-25; 28:19-20

May you whole heartedly and steadfastly follow Jesus’ example of sacrificially being a servant and slave in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. Begin first with your relationship with Jesus, then to your family and spouse, and then to the world.

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. – Galatians 2:20