The Atoning Sacrifice

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [1]

“For My [the Lord’s] sake.”

To talk about Jesus as the only Lord and Savior of people is to speak prophetically. To speak up for Jesus for the sake of people’s salvation and for His glory is often regarded as offensive and evil in this world, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to do so. In fact, our Lord urges us to rejoice and be exceedingly glad when we experience conflict for His sake because our rewards in heaven will be great.

May our Heavenly Father grant us the grace and compassion to reveal Jesus to those around the table this thanksgiving that have not yet experienced what it is like to know and walk with Him. That they too would be assured of a place at the banquet table of heaven not based on their own goodness or deeds but based on the merits of what Jesus did for their salvation on the cross.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” [2]

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” [3]

Seeing our loved ones in heaven would be an exceedingly great reward.

[1] Matthew 5:11-12

[2] 1John 2:2

[3] 1 John 4:10