The Way of Sacrifice
Following a Savior who laid himself down.
The Christian life is a series of small dyings.
The big idea
Following Jesus means picking up your cross — not just saying his name.
What does “The Way of Sacrifice” walk through?
Take Up Your Cross
Luke 9:23 · KJV
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
In plain English
If you want to follow me, deny yourself. Pick up your cross every day. Follow.
Daily Death
Notice 'daily.' Following Jesus isn't one big sacrifice. It's a thousand small ones — putting someone else first, biting your tongue, choosing the harder right thing. Each one is a tiny death and a tiny resurrection.
He Made Himself Nothing
Philippians 2:7 · KJV
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.
In plain English
He emptied himself. Took the form of a servant. The God who could've claimed everything chose lower.
“What you sacrifice now you keep forever. What you grab now you lose.”
What's Yours to Lay Down?
Some sacrifices are obvious. Most are small: time, comfort, the last word, your version of how things should go. Pick one and lay it down today. That's the practice.
Pray
Lord, you laid yourself down. Help me follow. Show me what's mine to release today.
Write it down
What's something you could lay down this week — your time, comfort, or pride — for someone else's good?
You finished: The Way of Sacrifice
The cross was a moment. Following him is a habit. Pick yours up tomorrow.
Which passages does this journey use?
2 passages, drawn from Luke 9:23, Philippians 2:7. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 5 minutes for the whole thing, or 6 short sittings.
- Luke 9:23
- Philippians 2:7
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
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