Sacrificial Love
“So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his
love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.”1
Jacob was one of the twin sons born to Isaac and Rebekah.
From the beginning Jacob was a deceiver and his mother’s favorite son. Together,
he and his mother executed a plan to steal his brother Esau’s birthright and
blessing. Because of his poor choices, Jacob was forced to flee because of his
brother’s anger and leave his family behind. During his time with relatives in
another land, he met the love of his life, Rachel. Jacob may have been used to
things coming easy or having the help of his mother to get what he wanted, but
here he was alone and, if he was going to earn the right to marry Rachel, he
was going to have to work… really hard!
In addition to the physical labor, his future father-in-law
deceived him into marrying Leah, who was Rachel’s older sister. Instead of
working seven years, he ended up serving his father-in-law seven more years in
order to have Rachel as his wife as well. Despite his mistakes, Jacob
eventually learned the necessary lessons, embraced humility, and made peace
with his brother. Because of his repentance, he was blessed by God.
Like Jacob, we too have made mistakes. Our sin had
separated us from God, and the penalty was too high for us to pay. Jacob was
willing to work for Rachel out of love, but God’s love for us is incomparable!
He saw us with love and mercy and sent Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our
sins. It was because of this that we can now be reconciled to God and have a
personal relationship with Him. Out of love for our Savior, we must also
willingly suffer for Christ’s sake. This suffering looks different for all of
us, but we know that if we are faithful and endure, we will reach the final
prize when we see Jesus face to face one day.
Suggested prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me so
much that you sacrificed your life in order to save me. Help my love for you be
so great that I, too, may willingly sacrifice what you ask of me to further
your Kingdom. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name,
amen.
1. Genesis
29:20 (NLT).
Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.