Sacrifice in Lockdown

Christmas and New Year already feel like a distant memory. Lockdown Three means everything has changed once more. For parents and teachers, for key workers and homeworkers, for carers and the retired, the coming months will be a real challenge. How are you being impacted by this lockdown? Is it different from last year? And how do you think others in different work life situations will be coping?

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV).

One of the words I’ve heard in the news this week is sacrifice – the giving up something valuable to help someone else. For some, sacrifice means giving up their own personal safety to provide essential services and help to others. For others, sacrifice means staying at home to keep their neighbourhood safe. For Christians, we also reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and respond to Scripture’s call to follow Jesus’ example in living a life of love for one another.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1, NIV)

What sacrifices are you willing to make this week as an act of love for another? How will you bless your family, your community and those on your frontlines?

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16, NIV)

(Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash)