“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:19-23).
Heavenly Father, as I come in prayer to You today, I come rejoicing in Your love. A love so great that would lead You to sacrifice Your life, as You were in Your Son, reconciling the world unto Yourself, in order that a world of sinners might live! For this we say, thank You God! May we never take Your love for granted. And may we live to bring others to the foot of the cross, where they too, may find eternal life in You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
That our salvation is a Gift, is an indisputable fact (John 3:16; Romans 6:23b). But today we want to begin a conversation about the cost of our salvation. What was the cost to the Giver Jesus, our Lord, and Savior. To do this, let us begin at the beginning:
“[K]nowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:18-21).
When the Godhead sat in the Counsel of Peace (Zechariah 6:13) before creating humankind, it was decided: “If they should lose their way, we will not abandon them, so let us put in place a rescue plan from now. The Son will go and die in their place.” (This is the pathetic, inadequate, unworthy, human manner of speech, of the author, as I try to explain with the understanding, and the vocabulary of humanity, something far bigger than myself!). My apologies.
Let us not think for a fleeting moment that this was an easy task for the Godhead. That the Father could easily give up His Son, from whom He had never been separated throughout eternity, even before there was a beginning!
Or that the Son could easily leave the community of the Godhead to come to planet Earth, the planet in rebellion, knowing beforehand, the cost of the second death (eternal separation from the Father) that the Son would have to pay if He should sin!!!
I admit, that I do not understand this love, because I am finite. God is infinite! I humbly bow in gratitude, and accept that reality.
That God, the Son would take upon Himself humanity, and be made “a little lower than the angels“ (Psalm 8:4, emphasis supplied). That in His hour of temptation, angels would be the ones to minister to their Creator, “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him“ (Matthew 4:11, emphasis supplied).
And in His darkest hour, when He began to feel Himself being separated from the Father, and it broke His heart, “He knelt down and prayed. . . Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:41b, 43, 44, emphasis supplied).
Hematidrosis, or hematohidrosis, a rare medical condition that exists under conditions of great emotional stress, where tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can rupture thus mixing blood with perspiration” (Healthline.com)
Even before they nailed Him to the cross, the Savior began to die. Beating, and mocking, slapping, and spitting, would add to His suffering, but it would take much more than this to kill the King.
So we will continue this conversation on the cost, tomorrow.