As we enter the Easter week I’ve been thinking of the price that Jesus paid. He gave his life so that I don’t only get to keep mine, but I get an eternal life. Just like that. At no cost of my own. Salvation is free.
However, walking with Jesus might cost me.
My Savior, who willingly laid down his life for me, calls me to lay down my life for him. He asks me to pick up my cross and follow him, no questions asked. I still do, though… ask questions. I ask myself – and God – how much it could possibly cost me?
Last Sunday Christians were gathered to worship God in Egypt when two bombs went off in two different cities. Within hours 39 people were killed and more than 100 people hurt, some of them badly. They were killed and maimed because of their faith. Parents lost their children, while other kids will now grow up without their parents.
That was how much it cost them to gather for worship.
I have friends who have fled for their life because of their faith. I have other friends who are ministering in so-called closed countries, sharing the gospel with people in desperate need of Jesus. They are risking their freedom as well as their lives, and they are constantly aware of the threat to the security of their families. They’re laying down their lives, getting rid of all unnecessary weight, such as entitlement, guarantees, and comfort.
They are willing to pick up their cross. I wonder if I am.
We have visited Mozambique a couple of times and seen firsthand how people struggle just to see their everyday needs met. They pray as if their very existence depended on it. Which it surely does. As does mine, no matter whether I’m aware of it or not.
I’ve been taken aback by how close they are with Jesus. They know him personally, as a trustworthy friend, a faithful provider, the lover of their soul. Daily, they willingly lay down everything, just for Jesus to give them himself in return.
Do I hold back? Or do I pour myself out for Jesus?
Have I emptied myself to make room for the Kingdom of God within me?
Is it at all possible to represent the true heart of Christ without willingly sacrifice?
This is the quiet week in our home. We all think and then we gather to talk. We try not to get lost in activities throughout the Easter holiday, but rather stop. Reflect. Ponder.
I’m left with all these questions.
I can hear some of your objections coming at me through cyberspace, so I’ll hurry up and answer some of them:
Yes, I’m so grateful for the gift of salvation!
I know that it’s free of charge!
Yes, I’m so blessed to have my name written in the Book of Life!
It’s true that Jesus paid the price for my life, health, and eternal salvation!
But the very same Jesus made a solemn promise of the kind we’d rather be without:
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
John 15:20, NKJV
He didn’t add “That is, if y’all don’t mind?”
Jesus said to all of his followers: “If you truly desire to be my disciple, you must disown your life completely, embrace my cross as your own, and surrender to my ways.” Luke 9:23, TPT
He said that we were to expect persecution. If we’re not experiencing difficulties or persecution, have we really picked up our cross and followed Christ? Or did we replace him somewhere along the line, with a toothless, spineless, and bland parody of our risen King?
If our sisters and brothers are experiencing persecution for their faith, and we don’t stand up for them, are we then truly following Jesus?
How enriched you are when you bear the wounds of being persecuted for doing what’s right! For that is when you experience the realm of heaven’s kingdom. Matthew 5:10, TPT
This Easter I’m returning to the foot of the cross, once again surrendering my life at his feet. My plans. My expectations. My needs. My, my, my. He can have it all. I’d rather have his.
I’m choosing the realms of Heaven.