Whilst reading Romans 5 this week, it made me think about what it costs to have faith, which led me to why would we do it? Which led me to what did it cost Jesus? These are my thoughts. I’ll start with Jesus.
WHAT DID IT COST JESUS TO COME TO HELP US?
- He set aside everything he had in Heaven to come to us.
- He came as a lowly man, no wealth, so worked for a living.
- He suffered in the desert while being tempted, (but overcame)!
- He was ridiculed and regularly threatened.
- He needed, literally, ‘the patience of a saint’ to explain to those around him and help them understand.
- He was hated by those in charge
- He was physically abused by those in charge in the Sanhedrin court.
- He was flogged/flailed/scourged. *
- Whilst in agony he was forced to carry part of his cross on his back until he could go no further, (then they grabbed someone else to carry it).
- Whilst still in agony from the flogging, he was nailed, (and possibly tied), to the cross.
- He was left to hang until the joints came out of his sockets until he eventually died.
Why would he if it wasn’t true???
WHAT DOES IT COST US TO HAVE FAITH?
- Changing our minds about Jesus.
- Changing the direction of our lives.
- Accepting we are not perfect.
- Climbing down off the pride pedestal we’ve put ourselves on.
- Losing some of our friends who don’t understand.
- Ridicule by those who don’t understand.
- In some places a beating for our beliefs.
- In some places death for our beliefs.
- Loving those around us. Even those we do not particularly like, and even our enemies.
WHAT IS THE PRIZE?
- The love of Jesus.
- Eternal life with Jesus.
- Forgiveness of ALL our sins
- A life of purpose.
- A deep contentment and peace even in difficult situations.
- Knowledge of the Father. **
- Abundance of His grace. (Romans 5:17)
- His Righteousness (Romans 5:17)
- His justification, (Romans 4:25 & 5:1).
- A future life with no pain, hunger or thirst.
- Bad memories wiped away.
- No more tears of sadness.
There is probably much more than I’ve got here, but these are the ones that came to mind.
For me, the prize is worth it, because eternity is a long time! I can’t help thinking, why can’t everyone see that the life Jesus showed us would be great for everyone if we all followed his example?
This is how I understand my God.
Read for yourself, see what you think.
*Flogging/Scouring is when they take a stick with thongs attached, and along the thongs are pieces of metal at intervals. They use this to quickly remove the flesh from the body of their victim and expose the ribs. It left their backs looking like ploughed fields.
**I personally believe we will learn a lot more in heaven than we can even imagine now.