Sacrificial Love

In this is love, not that we loved God,
but that He loved us and sent His Son
to be the propitiation for our sins.
(1 John 4:10 NKJV)

And according to the law
almost all things are purified with blood, and
without shedding of blood there is no remission.
(Hebrews 9:22 NKJV)

knowing that you were not redeemed
with corruptible things, like silver or gold,
from your aimless conduct
received by tradition from your fathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
(1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV)

About Jesus:

who, being in the form of God,
did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6-8 NKJV)

Now as He drew near,
He saw the city and wept over it,
(Luke 19:41 NKJV)

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.
Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
(Jesus speaking in Luke 22:42, 44 NKJV)

“Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down one’s life for his friend.”

(Jesus speaking in John15:13 NKJV)

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.”

(Jesus speaking in John 13:34-35 NKJV)

Sample Prayer

Lord, You volunteered to shed Your blood as the requirement for the forgiveness of our sins: past, present, and future. You were and are the only perfect and flawless sacrifice. You showed us the great love You have for us.

Your words demonstrated You fully understood the agony You would endure on our behalf. You agonized and cried out: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” This must have been emotionally painful since Your sweat was like blood, yet You went to the cross for us. Perhaps too, You pondered the separation from Your Father, if even for a moment, as You took the sins of the world upon Yourself.

Your sacrifice is precious to me. You had such compassion for people, and wept when You entered their city, understanding their need for a Savior. I am thankful that You have that same compassion today. The greatest gift and sacrifice is to lay down ones life for his friends. Thank You for giving Your life for me and all people in the world for the forgiveness of our sins, paying the price I/we owed, but could not pay.
I praise You. You are our Savior and Lord. May I follow your example and cause Your love to flow through me, and out from me, to others. May I be a light to others, bringing them the good news of salvation which comes from having faith in what You did for us on the cross.