by Kala Loptien

A Sacrificial Life

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For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 21

Sacrifice is an emotionally-charged word, isn’t it? What do we think about when we hear it? We probably make small sacrifices or compromises for the ones we love. But what about all our other neighbors God lists? What about the orphan, the widow, the hungry and needy? Do we provide for them? Do we make sacrifices in our lives on their behalf?

Jesus did. He spent His life tending to the poor — both the penniless and crushed in spirit. All of His time was dedicated to caring for others and healing their wounds. His entire life was a sacrifice. Then He paid the ultimate price, with the most brutal and humiliating death. At that cross, nail by nail, He took the blame for us. All the sins of the world; all the judgement and punishment placed upon His shoulders. I am quickly overwhelmed when I remember His asking God to forgive those responsible for putting Him there. I get angry every time I read about His crucifixion. Those deplorable people that denied Him, mocked Him and stood aimlessly by as He took the blame. Yeah…guess what? That’s us. We are all the sinners who sent Him to the cross.

He died so we might live. This freedom, this gift and this new life does not necessarily come with strings attached or a checklist of works. Rather, the very nature of being loved and redeemed children of God produces in us a desire to selflessly serve others and a heart determined to spread the Good News.

I’ll leave you with a beautiful quote from Martin Luther:

“Lord Jesus, You are my righteousness; I am Your sin. You took on You what was mine, yet set on me what was Yours. You became what You were not, that I might become what I was not.”

Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado