What is the most self-sacrificial thing you have ever done? Have you given of yourself in a lot of little ways to a variety of people or do you have one huge sacrifice that comes to mind?

Short of jumping in front of a bullet to protect someone, the biggest sacrifice that comes to my mind is parenthood. Raising another human from birth to adulthood requires a nearly complete sacrifice of your time, your energy, your resources, and for women, even your very body.

Jesus says that is love.

“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭13,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Of course a parent loves their child. But Jesus said the verse above right after repeating His command for His followers to love “one another.” Not just the children we happen to bear.

Does that mean He wants me to put some stranger through college?

Maybe.

Jesus defines love as being self-sacrificial. To the extreme. Christ-like love isn’t just smiling at a stranger; it’s taking time to help that stranger afford groceries, even if it means I have to forgo mine. Christian love isn’t about waving to neighbors. It’s about checking in on neighbors, spending time getting to know them, mowing their lawn or weeding their yard, watching their kids. Real love is more than giving the homeless guy a gift card. It means working at the homeless shelter on my weekends and days off. Christian love isn’t easy. It requires a lot. It may require everything I have in this life, even my very life.

Jesus modeled His brand of love for us. He gave His all. But then He rose again. And He promised that when I give my all in the name of love, He will raise me up again too.

Dear God, what you ask seems so hard. Help me to trust you and be generous with my life. Thank you for the opportunities I have already had to love sacrificially. You have greatly blessed me through them. Open my eyes to the new ways you have in store for me to love.