Without sacrifice, we would not know what love looks like.

  We say we love lots of things.  We say that we love lots of people too.  How do we know what love really means?  How do we measure love?  Those are great questions.  We can see how much we love something or someone based upon what we are willing to give up.  I love cookies, but would give one up for ice cream.  I love ice cream, but would give it up for my family.

   With our finite resources, most especially our time, we have to choose between many good things.  Spending time with family is good.  Relaxing with friends is good.  Playing games are good.  Some can be bad if we give them too much time.  But we can see what we love based on what we make time for.  We sacrifice our time with our other possibilities.

   Now, we look to see what Jesus sacrificed.  He sacrificed Himself, completely and without reserve.  And for whom did He sacrifice Himself?  For us!  Sinful you and I were the recipients for God’s ultimate sacrifice of Himself.  Did it hurt?  Oh yes, it did!  But He loves us that much.  That is perfect love: a complete self-giving.  Now, how much are we going to love?  Do you want to love with a perfect love, or a partial love?

   Jesus, You gave up everything for us even to death.  Help us to give more of ourselves, so that we might love more perfectly today and everyday.