Scripture:
Luke 14:25-33
This week we hear some of the most difficult words that the gospels record Jesus saying. We hear Jesus say that we need to hate our families in order to be his disciple. We need to take up our crosses. We need to give up all of our possessions. This is tough stuff. Jesus is saying that if we want to be his disciple, we must weigh the consequences of following him. He does not want us to hate anyone in an angry, ill willed kind of way. Instead, he is saying to the crowds that if they want to go with him and be his disciples, they must consider all that it will cost and make an intentional decision.
In the same way, we must weigh the consequences of committing ourselves to God following Jesus. If we choose to follow Jesus, there are sacrifices we must make. So, what does it mean to make a sacrifice? Let's take a look at what the word "sacrifice" means. It comes us from the Latin word "sacrificium", which is made up of the roots "sacer" (holy, sacred) and "facio" (make, do). Sacrifice is making something holy.
We often think of sacrifice as giving something up. When we look at the meaning of the word, however, we see that we can sacrifice something by making it holy. If we offer something; our gifts, our money, our lives, etc... to God and use them for holy purposes, then we are sacrificing them.
What are the gifts, treasures, thoughts, etc... that you have not shared in your life with God? Is there a hobby that you have that you think is somehow separate from your spiritual life? Do you have gifts that you hide away instead of using to further the kingdom of God? Are there parts of your life that are not sacred, because they are not expressions of love of God and love of others? What do you need to sacrifice? What do you need to make holy?
In the same way, we must weigh the consequences of committing ourselves to God following Jesus. If we choose to follow Jesus, there are sacrifices we must make. So, what does it mean to make a sacrifice? Let's take a look at what the word "sacrifice" means. It comes us from the Latin word "sacrificium", which is made up of the roots "sacer" (holy, sacred) and "facio" (make, do). Sacrifice is making something holy.
We often think of sacrifice as giving something up. When we look at the meaning of the word, however, we see that we can sacrifice something by making it holy. If we offer something; our gifts, our money, our lives, etc... to God and use them for holy purposes, then we are sacrificing them.
What are the gifts, treasures, thoughts, etc... that you have not shared in your life with God? Is there a hobby that you have that you think is somehow separate from your spiritual life? Do you have gifts that you hide away instead of using to further the kingdom of God? Are there parts of your life that are not sacred, because they are not expressions of love of God and love of others? What do you need to sacrifice? What do you need to make holy?
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