Jesus calls us to live sacrificially. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

But what is sacrifice? 

Here’s one way to think about it. Sacrifice is giving up something good for something great.

For example, if you are fasting, you sacrifice a good thing (food) for a great thing (greater clarity about God’s will in prayer). Or think of men and women who sacrificed their lives in war. They gave up a good thing (their lives) for a great thing (peace and freedom for others).

So if Jesus calls us to live sacrificially, what are the benefits? What are those “great” things?

I went through Luke’s Gospel and made a list of what we find in God’s kingdom. These are realties described by eyewitnesses, or things Jesus says, does or teaches, or which he commends in others. 

Let me list them for you.

-Jesus himself reigning as King (1:33)
-a never-ending kingdom (1:33)
-where the proud are scattered and the lowly are lifted up (1:51-52)
-where the hungry are filled with good things (1:53)
-salvation (2:11, 30; 3:6)
-peace with God (2:14)
-triumph over Satan and darkness (4:13, 35)
-good news proclaimed to the poor (4:18)
-liberty for the captives (4:18)
-recovery of sight to the blind (4:18)
-liberty for the oppressed (4:18)
-healing from illness (4:39; 5:13)
-purposeful kingdom work (5:10)
-forgiveness for sin (5:20)
-friendship with outcasts (5:30)
-repentance from sin (5:32)
-freedom from demonic oppression (6:18)
-blessing for the poor (6:20)
-blessing for those who are hungry (6:21)
-blessing for those who weep (6:21)
-blessing for those who are persecuted (6:22)
-reward in heaven (6:23)
-love, even for enemies (6:27)
-wisdom (6:47-48)
-feasting (7:34)
-the word of God (8:11; 11:28)
-the light of God (8:16)
-a new family (8:21)
-provision for daily needs (9:3)
-wholehearted love for God and neighbour (10:27)
-mercy (10:37)
-no fear (12:4)
-lack of worry (12:22)
-the last becoming first, and the first becoming last (13:30)
-the humble exalted, and the arrogant humbled (14:11)
-feasting with the less fortunate (14:13)
-belonging (15:6)
-joy (15:7)
-eternal life itself (15:32: 18:30)
-escape from hell and torment (16:23)
-comfort (16:25)
-child-like faith (18:16)
-paradise (23:43)

Wow, those are most definitely “great” things!

Making sacrifices as a disciple can be hard. But we find fresh motivation when we remember what we’re shooting for. The majestic beauty of God’s kingdom is a life-changing blessing not only for us, but for the people we care about.

Think big. Sacrifice is giving up something good for something great.

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Notes and extra content:

—PAUSE ALERT. After today, this devotional will go on pause as I take some vacation time. It will return on August 28th. You can catch up with previous devotionals at TheUpDevo.com or subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)

–“Giving up good things for great things.” Sermon. July 28, 2024. Click here.

–*The notation behind each line is a verse reference. In many cases, it’s only the first of several passages on similar themes.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.