INTIMACY WITH US IN OUR SACRIFICES

In a scene from the film Chariots of Fire, when one character is trying to convince another to go beyond what would normally be expected of him, he tells him, “We are all called upon during times of war to make great sacrifices.” One of our staff members, a father of three young boys, has used this line in all manner of circumstances when his children don’t want to do something. Upon hearing them complain about tidying their rooms or mowing the yard, he deadpans, “Sorry boys, we are all called upon during times of war to make great sacrifices.” The humor is lost on the children, but it does serve to remind them that sacri- fice is not just demanded during trying times. We’re all called to make sacrifices every day.

Living in relationship with other human beings whose de- sires often run contrary to our own means we will be called upon regularly to make sacrifices for the greater good. These are the routine sacrifices of which life is made. We wash the dishes for each another. We allow the other to choose what we will eat or where we will eat it. We are gracious toward one another when preferences differ between us.

There is a second level of sacrifice, however, that goes be- yond this. It’s not a give-to-get sort of sacrifice. These sacrifices are not merely the back and forth, give and take of relational living, but rather the extension of Christ within us. It’s not dif- ficult to find sacrifice in the life of Christ. His very coming to Earth in bodily form was a sacrifice we cannot completely com- prehend (John 1:1-5). To move from His position at the right hand of the Father in Heaven to become human, and then to become sin that we might become the righteousness of God, was a

demonstration of sacrifice at which we will marvel forever. Angels must have stood in wonder and bewilderment as they watched Him descend to the earth and then go to the cross.

He has appeared to put away sin by the sacri- fice of Himself. (Hebrews 9:26)

Having paid that price, Jesus is uniquely qualified to en- counter us intimately as we deal with the broad range of emo- tions we experience as we make significant sacrifices. From the heroic struggles that may cost us our lives, to the humbling daily sacrifices, we receive strength in knowing Jesus recognizes them all. He knows all of them in a way we can’t articulate; He knows the pain of what it costs us far better than even we do.

You may be making a sacrifice right now. Perhaps you’re holding your tongue as rumors fly around you. You would be justified in defending yourself, but the Holy Spirit is impressing you not to. Perhaps you’re in a marriage that has been far less than God intended. Your best friends have offered you all sorts of justification for ending it, but you know God wants you to persevere right now. Maybe you are being called upon to make a financial sacrifice because someone you know needs funds. You know this will mean that you will go without some things.

In these moments of legitimate sacrifice on our part, we come nearer to the character of Jesus. This explains why the fury of Hell seems to be unleashed on us in these moments. All kinds of feelings enter our hearts. Is this really worth it? Does anyone even know that I’m paying the price for this? In these moments, having made the initial sacrifice with willing hearts, many find them- selves wavering in their resolve to follow through. While they’re sacrificing on the outside, on the inside they want to stand up and scream, “I’m sacrificing, but I don’t like it and I want the whole world to know!”

Throughout history, the heart of Jesus has drawn near to those who have known sacrifice. From the martyrs of the first century to the home-schooling mom of this century, His eye has been attracted to those who have given without expecting to be

noticed by other people. He sees our hearts and knows all; this encourages us to go on. In intimacy with Him, we find strength to continue. The frustration passes as we confess, “I can do this. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Eventu- ally, through the intimacy with God that accompanies our giv- ing, we will find a certain joy in sacrificially pouring ourselves out. Paul knew intimacy with Jesus in times of sacrifice. The fiery little Jewish evangelist who once spent his days persecut- ing Christians found himself as the apostolic leader over many fledgling Christian congregations. He was called upon to give of himself; his energy, his time, even his emotions, were taxed by these believers.

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offer- ing on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. (Philippians 2:17)

I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ… that I may know Him and…the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death… (Philippians 3:8-10)

Paul discovered an intrinsic value in intimacy with Christ— joy in sacrifice. Jesus wants to come alongside us in those mo- ments when we wonder if anyone even realizes what sacrifices we are making and give us joy in the moment so that we, like Paul, can be glad and rejoice as we are being poured out for oth- ers. Intimacy with Jesus in sacrifice is by no means limited to this age. In the age to come, He will recall each sacrifice we made throughout our Christian lives. He will surprise us as He retells times of giving we have long forgotten and how He felt about us when we were giving ourselves to others for His sake.

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward

His name, in that you have ministered to the saints… (Hebrews 6:10)

Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, as- suredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward. (Matthew 10:42)

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