Most of us have enjoyed a cold crisp day skiing in the mountains. We see all sorts of skiers, from experts, to reckless to careful to those who are starting out who fall every time they stand up. I thought this would be the perfect analogy for a discussion on sacrifice. We shall call the resort Sacrifice Mountain. The point to notice is that each skier is at a different level. The beginner has issues even getting started but with a few weeks practice is totally comfortable with the lower slopes. The mid level skier navigates the steeper slopes with ease while the expert goes right to the top and glides down the deep powder in complete ecstasy and navigates black diamond runs with the glee of a child. Although he is skiing the most difficult terrain, he is obviously having the most enjoyment from the experience.
What does that have to do with sacrifice? Perplexed on the subject of sacrifice, I asked my wife what sacrifice meant to her on a religious level. Her response took me back. "There is no sacrifice", she said. I believe she meant something like I pay my tithing and attend church every Sunday and play the piano in primary and teach my activity girls and serve where I can. "It is responsibility and duty and I like doing it", she said. Well then how about if I asked you to leave your home or sacrifice one of your children like Abraham. "Hm, maybe that would be a sacrifice", she responded. I thought of the line of the popular song "He ain't heavy, he's my brother! That got me really pondering.
So what is sacrifice? Does sacrifice have to be difficult and disagreeable. Do you really have to be giving up something of value to be sacrificing. Who is giving the greater service, one who serves willingly or one who gives the same service always wishing he was on the ski hill or the golf course. What are your thoughts?
In ancient times of the old testament, sacrifice was specifically giving blood sacrifice in the form of killing of animals. Sacrifice was to be in the form of the first born of the flock and without blemish. What was the significance of that?
Moses 5:5-8. Speaking of Adam and Eve, "And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks for an offering unto the Lord,and Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord. And after many days an Angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam saying, why dost thou offer sacrifice unto the Lord? And Adam said unto the Lord,"I know not save the Lord commanded me. And then the angel spake , saying, This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the only begotten of the Father which is full of grace and truth.
Back to my analogy you could say that Adam and these early people were on the bunny hill. There were no issues- the pommalift soon did not bother them and sacrifice became a routine part of their lives. With a few exceptions like Abraham who became so dedicated to his skiing that he became an expert and was prepared for the big mountain. He was asked to sacrifice his son. Genesis 22 2-3 And he said "Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest and and get the into the land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell the of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his ass... It was not too much of an issue. He was prepared. Was it sacrifice?
Blood sacrifice continued until the coming of the Savior. He provided us the perfect and ultimate sacrifice of giving his life for others. A new sacrifice was then required.3 Nephi 9:20 "And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit..." The apostle Paul wrote Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service!
I believe it is clear that what God requires of us is our all. The question is whether we are comfortable with that concept. Do we really believe it? Does service to others and righteous living come before all our personal desires and interest, and moreover are we so so willing to do it that like the high mountain skier it becomes our joy. Has total sacrifice become our comfortable second nature. When are we truly the most happy? When we completely forget ourselves and sacrifice for others. When have you been the happiest?
Personally I would identify with the rich young man who came to the saviour and asked what he needed to do to enter the kingdom of God. Like me he paid his tithing, attended his meetings and gave to the poor. When asked to sell all he had he bowed his head and withdrew. Luke 18:18-23. He was a mid level skier.
Why sacrafice anyway?
1. If we have arrived at the right state of mind, Sacrifice is its own reward.
2. Mathew 19:29 ... Everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren or sisters, or father or mother or or wife or children or lands for my name's sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall have everlasting life.
Our willingness to sacrifice is the greatest indicator of our readiness to live in the presence of God. Who is happier than the willing temple worker or full time missionary?
May we all reach that level of willingness to give our all like Abraham or even God who gave his only Son that we might live.
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