Written by Jackie Bourassa
We have all made sacrifices. We sacrifice for something that we regard as more important and worthwhile than what we are giving up. The disciples made sacrifices to follow Jesus. They left families, livelihoods, their daily comforts. Following the Messiah would surely be worth it.
But sometimes friends hurt us, a loved one does not get better, or for the disciples, their teacher (the one they put their hope in) is arrested and sentenced to death. Imagine the pain of your master suffer the unimaginable. Had the sacrifices of the past three years been in vain? Overcome with sorrow, discouragement, and fear, they couldn’t remember what he taught them about sacrifice, his purpose and the promises he had made to them.
It wouldn’t be until three days later that they would begin to understand why and how he could make this unimaginable sacrifice. It was because of love, genuine, ultimate love. It was “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2)
When the sacrifice seems too great and the loss unbearable, we can cling to the promises of Jesus that were secured through his sacrifice. We are part of the joy set before him!
