"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Have you made a sacrifice for another? Have you given something up that meant a lot to you, for someone else? Sometimes it is really hard to make this kind of sacrifice. If you think about it, we are faced with this kind of sacrifice a lot. In little ways and sometimes in very big ways.
Let’s suppose you have a car. You really love your car as it is reliable and just a great car to have. It’s paid for which really makes it special because it’s yours. Now you find out someone halfway across the country, a family member who is very special to you, is in need of a car and isn’t sure how they will get another one. They are struggling and need something reliable. You can’t buy them a car, too much money. Not to mention, you don’t know what they would be getting so far away. You make the decision, without hesitation, to sell them your car for a deal and pay to ship it to them. Even do some car repairs before you send it. Then suddenly, your car that you loved is gone.
The decision to give up something you love to benefit someone else is a true act of love. You are giving of yourself for the benefit of another. This shows so much love. In little ways and big ways, it shows love. That is what God wants us to do. Love one another. Without hesitation, love and do for others. Not to benefit ourselves but for the benefit of the other. Love one another.
Jesus did this in the greatest way imaginable. He knew before He was even born that He would die a horrible death all for the love of each and every one of us. The ultimate sacrifice. The giving of your life for another. There are those who do this today. Those in the military, police officers, firefighters, just to name a few. They put their life on the line for others. Jesus did this in a much larger scale. He did it for the entire world, past, present, and future. All mankind.
Show your appreciation for this great gift that Jesus gave. Show love to your fellow man. Without hesitation, show kindness, love, gentleness, and understanding. By showing our love to each other, we not only show reverence for what Jesus did, but we show our appreciation and love. Praise God for His tender mercies and the sacrifice of Jesus! Because of His sacrifice, we can live for eternity with Him and those we love!