Day 31 - Lent 2026

EMBRACING SACRIFICIAL LOVE

“He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

Mark 8:34-35 (NRSV)

Good Friday presents us with the perfect example of Sacrificial Love. On the day of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, He demonstrated that even though we may not be worthy of His sacrifice, Jesus Christ loved us so much that He sacrificed His mortal body to save us.   

How often do you ask yourself what is worthy of my sacrifice? Is your first answer your children, your spouse, your home or even your lifestyle…?  

During the Lenten season, we should spend time reflecting on how we got to our current destination. We should also visualize how we plan to move forward.  

When you look at your past, you will remember the people that made sacrifices for you and said prayers for you. Our parents and grandparents made several sacrifices to provide stable and safe homes for us. The prayers of our family, friends and church members protected us from the harms and dangers of life. We’ve all benefited from the prayers of others. We should learn to appreciate the prayers that were said on our behalf by our loved ones. Our memories should guide our faith as we move forward. 

When we look forward, we must ask ourselves what examples we are setting. Are we loving our neighbors? Are we visiting the sick? Are we showing God’s love?

Jesus Christ showed us what Sacrificial Love looks like, by dying on the cross. We must live a life of faith that shows the light of Jesus and allow that light to draw others into God’s Love 

Matthews 5:14-15 (NSRV) – “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.”

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love. Thank You for demonstrating Your love for us. I pray that Your presence in our lives will shine through so that others may see the joy in following You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

PRAYERFULLY SUBMITTED

BY ELDER IAN ANDERSON REID FRANCIS, SR.