Topic: THERE IS A PLACE FOR SACRIFICE – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 21 March 2020 [The Redeemed Evangelical Mission]
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THERE IS A PLACE FOR SACRIFICE
“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
John 12:23-24 KJV
You know there is a place for sacrifice in serving God. If anyone tells you there is no place for sacrifice, it’s not true. Sacrifice can either be a burden or struggle if you don’t understand the reason for sacrifice. But it is not meant to be a struggle; it is meant to be worship. When you truly understand the truth of sacrifice, you will approach it with joy. Jesus knew that he was going to lay down His life for humanity. Yet, He said, “the hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified.” He was looking at it as glory. This is how the believer should view sacrifice.
Jesus also went on to say that much fruit can also be produced from a seed of corn put in the ground. When you put a seed of corn or anything in the ground, it appears as if you are losing it but then, you are going to produce much fruit by what you are doing. So it is with every sacrifice you make. The Bible declares in Philippians 2:5-7: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”
These scriptures encourage believers to develop the mind of Christ. Jesus lived a life of sacrifice. He died not just an ordinary death on the cross. To the natural mind, the plan for salvation of man is over. They thought Jesus was finished. But that was the beginning of life. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9 KJV).
Further Reading. Philippians 2:3-11
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Joshua 4-6; Evening- Luke 1:1-20
