Sacrificing in Gratitude

And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it. - Mark 14:23

As hard as it is to believe, it is already the first of April, the month of showers. In agriculture, this is the time to plant, sow and cultivate. It is a time for a new start or starting over with new expectations.

There are different ways to sow and numerous seeds that could be planted. As we approach Resurrection Sunday, recognize Jesus as the greatest, most powerful seed ever planted. In His burial, He was planted for our benefit. As the bible says, He had communion with his apostles before being taken into captivity. While serving the wine, which represented His blood, He gave thanks. Symbolically, He was serving His blood that would be shed through a horrific death to a group who would abandon Him, yet He expressed gratitude.

Many times, it is difficult for us to willingly be planted, or sacrificed, for others. Although we typically do not sacrifice to the point of painfully shedding blood, our attitude is not what it should be. If Jesus was thankful knowing the offering He as about to be, we should do likewise. It is a blessing to be a blessing. There is no greater purpose in life than to help save someone else’s. In doing so, while you may expect gratitude, be sure to express it as well.