I hope you’ve been having a blessed and reflective Passion Week. Take some time to meditate on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Read the Gospels’ account of it. Take a spare moment to pray to Him.

If you want to reflect on Passion Week in Real Time, I recommend that you check out this link: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/easter-week-in-real-time.

One thing you can reflect on is what we discussed this past Sunday: Have we counted the cost of following Jesus? In the Gospels, Jesus gives us some hard truths to swallow:

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. -John 15:19

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. -Matthew 16:24

This is the cost. We’re called to die to ourselves and surrender our lives unto Him. We’re called to suffer and be hated just as Christ suffered and was hated. Have we counted the cost of following Jesus?

Our answer to that question will determine the way we live our lives. If we have not counted the cost, we will live as comfortably, securely, and pleasurably as possible outside of Christ. We will not surrender our dreams, goals, and agendas to Him. Instead, we will live for ourselves and for our own glory.

In our passage this Sunday, the cost of redemption was too great for the kinsman redeemer (Ruth 4:6). He counted the cost, and he refused to follow through. However, Boaz redeemed Ruth at a cost to himself. He sacrificed greatly to marry her, but for him, it was a delight, not a burden (Ruth 3:13).

Church, Christ has redeemed us at a cost to Himself. He has sacrificed greatly to marry us, but for Him, it was a delight, not a burden (Hebrews 12:2). He gave up His life so that we can gain life. He was forsaken so that we may never be forgotten.

Christ counted the cost from eternity past, and it was His joy to pay it for our redemption. Now, the question is: Will you count the cost and take up the cross for Him?

This Friday, we have Good Friday Service at 7:45pm in the NRG room. We will partake of Communion so please prepare your hearts beforehand. See you then, and see you at Easter Worship. Pray for one another.

In Christ,
Pastor Tim

Image source: dailywordofdestiny.com