The highest form of love is sacrifice. Sacrifice is the surrender of something highly valued for the sake of something else of greater value.

Jesus, the “lamb of God” our King, sacrificed his life for us, so that we have a chance at salvation. This sacrifice is representational of the Passover Lamb. 1 Corinthians 5:7, “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

This Easter remember the Love Jesus revealed to us through his sacrifice and consider his sacrifice as you raise your children. Jesus instilled the reality that any sacrifice you make to your child’s eternal life is worth it. The days of raising children beckon tough, busy, and sacrificial years of our lives. They may perhaps be the hardest, but most abundant years. If your parental responsibility is on par, your days and nights are consumed in to-dos and your focus on family is your top priority.

A parent’s sacrifice is to prioritize their children over themselves. Do I go to the gym, or do I stay home and read with my child? Do I purchase that expensive purse or pair of shoes, or use the money toward my child’s extracurriculars? This Easter consider what sacrifice you can make to your child and remember the crucial message from the cross. What do you need to sacrifice to love your children eternally?

Perhaps you can reminisce on a crossroads where you chose your children over something personally monumental, like a job promotion. Maybe that sacrifice is your popularity or reputation? Will you sacrifice your time for your children? Your comfort? Your sleep? Loving parents sacrifice for their children. Our ultimate duty is to raise them up right and our sacrifices bear bountiful fruit. “Light is sown like seed for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart.” Psalm 97:11

A parent has the ultimate job; to raise our children in light and truth. This responsibility comes with sacrifice. When we are blessed with a child, their birth is the sober realization that our ultimate responsibility is to that new life. This Easter remember Jesus’s sacrifice for us and commit yourself totally and completely to your children. Sacrifice out of love; remembering that our children are blessings and our future. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

The greatest example we have of a parent’s love, comes from the cross. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” His love for us is sacrificial, and permanent; like our love for our children should be. You will love your kids forever. Eternally. Like God loves us. Appreciate the humbling sacrifice Jesus, our Lord and Savior, made for us and consider how you can sacrifice for your children. After all, Jesus thought your children were worth the highest sacrifice.