Devotionals

Love's Sacrifice

by Denise Ferrell
12/21/14
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And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  (Ephesians 5:2 / NIV)

In early November, my husband and I spent a couple of days in Helen, GA.  The north Georgia mountains and the changing hues of the autumn leaves were beautiful despite dry weather having somewhat dulled the vibrancy of the colors.  Upon entering the dining room of the hotel the next morning for a hot breakfast, I noticed a lovely elderly couple.  The gentleman wheeled his wife, who was in a wheelchair, to the dining table and proceeded to plate her food.  Their voices were gentle and low.  After returning, he prepared his own plate.  Later, they browsed a nearby stand in the lobby where locals displayed handcrafted wares for sale.  She selected the item of her choice, and he rendered payment.

The calm and tender care of the husband for his wife was impressive – no grandeur; only beautiful simplicity in their gestures.  Sacrifice of effort was demonstrated in the husband’s doing for his wife what she was unable to do for herself.  There was sacrifice of independence in the wife’s having to allow her husband to do these things.  Was there any dignity lost?  Not from my perspective.  Though strangers to me, their love was a beautiful example of Christ’s love for us – sacrificial.  “This is real love – not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:10 / NLT)