Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 (MET)

Sacrifice: giving up something for the sake of someone else. For most people, the concept of “sacrifice” is uncomfortable. Even for many Christians, living a life of sacrifice, as Jesus did, seems too hard. We only see it as something that leaves us with less: less money, less time, less of whatever it is we sacrifice for others or for God.

Jesus chose to come into this broken, painful world. He chose that cross and sacrificed His life, but it certainly didn’t leave Him with less. It gave Him so much MORE! These verses explain that Jesus gave everything for the joy of the outcome, because the reward was so much greater than the sacrifice. It gave us life, it gave us direct access to Him, and it opened Heaven to each of us.

What if, like Jesus, we saw sacrifice as a privilege, as something that leads to joy? What if we asked God to shift our hearts from “sacrifice” to “privilege”, from giving to receiving, from losing to gaining? It’s only when we open our hearts and minds, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform them, that we will see having less as gaining more. Jesus certainly didn’t enjoy that horrible cross, but He absolutely enjoys the reward. That is what He wants us to understand fully: sacrifice is beautiful, and the reward is JOY! You are loved!