Devotion #5: Sacrifice

Imagine what it must have felt like to be one of Jesus’ followers after He ascended into Heaven. They had just gone through the heartbreak of watching Him die, the overwhelming joy of seeing Him alive again, and then, just like that, He was (physically) gone. I can only imagine the mix of emotions, excitement, confusion, and maybe even feeling a little lost. What now? How do we move forward without Jesus here to lead us? 

However, Jesus did not leave them alone. He had promised them something, the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit showed up at Pentecost, everything changed. They were united, bold, and commissioned to a new way of life, one centered completely on Jesus, His teachings, and sharing the Good News. 

Acts 2:42 gives us this amazing snapshot of the early church, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This was not a casual thing. They were not just squeezing God into their schedules. This was not a devotion only on one day of the week. They were all in! They were committed to daily growing in their faith, praying together, sharing meals, and caring for one another. 

Here is the part we do not talk about enough: being devoted to Christ means being devoted to what He loves. What does Jesus love? He loves His people. He did not just save us so we could be independent. He saved us because He knew we could not do life on our own. He saved us into the family of God. That means devotion is not just about memorizing more Scripture, praying more frequently, or having perfect attendance at Growth Community. It is about showing up for your brothers and sisters in Christ. It is about encouraging them, serving them, and loving them. 

However, let us be real, true devotion takes sacrifice. In Scripture, the word “devoted” (anathema) can also mean set apart for destruction. In other words, sometimes things in our lives have to go in order for something else, meant for God’s glory and our good, to take place. Maybe it is pride, comfort, bitterness, or just the busyness of life pulling us away. 

So, ask yourself, what needs to be set aside so that you can be fully devoted to Christ and His Church? What is holding you back from living like the early Church, fully committed to Jesus, His Word, and the Church family He has placed you in?