Last week, Tiger Woods set the consecutive cuts streak at the Masters. In windy conditions, having only played one competitive round all season, Tiger played the first two rounds in one-over par to extend his made-cuts streak to 24. While the conditions were brutal for scoring, Tiger’s biggest challenge remained his body.

A video began circulating on Friday afternoon, which showed Tiger on the range preparing for his round. It wasn’t him hitting balls, instead it showed Tiger rubbing Icy Hot over his torso. In addition, you could see a patch on His back trying to relieve pain.

A meaningful reflection of Jesus happens as we love sacrificially.

It’s remarkable how much pain and suffering Tiger Woods is willing to go through to compete in the game he loves so much. It’s his love for the game that drives his willingness to sacrifice. This chapter of Tiger’s career will not be known for the championships he won, but his willingness to endure pain in order to play.

Followers of Jesus are also to be known for their sacrifices driven by love.

In John 15, Jesus said “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I loved you.” He then goes on to explain that it is a sacrificial love. It’s a love demonstrated by Jesus dying on the cross for all of mankind. We are not able to express this level of love on our own, but because Jesus lives within us, we’re able to love others this way. Followers of Jesus are supposed to produce the fruit of sacrificial love.

Three Thoughts
 
1. Sacrificial love is voluntary — No one made Jesus die on the cross. Jesus chose to be obedient to the Father…Even to death on a cross.
 
2. Sacrificial love is beneficial to others — Jesus chose to do it because it was God the Father’s will for bringing redemption to mankind.
 
3. Sacrificial love is appropriate — We love others in a sacrificial manner in response to the fact that Jesus loved us sacrificially. How could we say no to loving others in the same manner Jesus has loved us?
 
As you watch the video of all the things Tiger is willing to go through to play golf, you get a sense for his love of the game. Can people get a sense for how much you love God based upon what you sacrifice to love Him and others because of Him?
 
Keep Reflecting Jesus!

Photo by Matthew McBrayer on Unsplash