REMEMBERING THE SACRIFICE OF LOVE

“So also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” — Hebrews 9:28.

There are moments in the Christian life when our hearts need to be gently redirected back to the central truth that defines our faith: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, not merely as a historical event, not as a theological concept, but as the deepest act of love ever displayed. Remembering His sacrifice is not something we do only on Good Friday or during communion; it is meant to shape our everyday lives, guiding our decisions, calming our anxieties, and awakening our gratitude. When we remember what Jesus has done, we see everything else more clearly.

Jesus’ sacrifice was not accidental or forced—it was intentional. He said in John 10:18, “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily.” His willingness reveals the heart of God: a love that moves toward sinners, not away from them; a love that absorbs the cost rather than demanding repayment; a love that gives everything so that we might live. To remember His sacrifice is to remember that grace is not cheap. It cost Jesus His life.

Yet His sacrifice was also victorious. When we remember the cross, we are not remembering a tragedy of defeat but a triumph of redemption. Jesus didn’t simply die—He conquered. He took on sin and crushed it. He faced death and defeated it. He entered the grave and shattered its authority. The cross is the place where love and power meet, where justice and mercy embrace, where our past is forgiven, and our future is secured.

Remembering His sacrifice reorients our hearts. In a world that constantly pulls our attention toward ourselves—our achievements, our failures, our anxieties, our desires—the cross calls us to look at Him. It reminds us that our worth is not grounded in what we do but in what He has done. His sacrifice reminds us that we are loved—not conditionally, temporarily, or partially, but completely. It silences the lie that we must prove ourselves. Jesus has already proven everything that needed to be proven.

Remembering His sacrifice also shapes how we live toward others. Jesus said, “Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34).  When we reflect on the forgiveness we’ve been given, it becomes harder not to forgive others. When we dwell on how patiently Christ endured the cross for us, we become less likely to give up on the people around us. His sacrifice transforms us into people who extend grace, patience, compassion, and humility.

So today—and every day—pause. Remember. Reflect. Jesus’ sacrifice is not just the foundation of your faith; it is the heartbeat of your life. Live in its shadow. Walk in its strength. And let its love define you.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you respond to the idea that Jesus’ sacrifice was a choice He made freely?
2. How does the sacrifice of Jesus challenge or change your view of self-sacrifice and serving others?
3. How can the assurance of Jesus’ sacrifice give you hope and confidence to live without the pressure of earning your own righteousness?