Apples of Gold

As the Easter season comes to a close, many followers of Jesus find themselves reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus with humble gratitude. At times we all struggle grasping the value that God puts on each of us. Easter brings it to the forefront as the renewed realization that the cost of our purchase was staggering. 

This year I have been particularly moved by the fact that Jesus came to earth not only with the full-knowledge that he would suffer for us, but that was the plan. The crucifixion isn’t something that happened to Jesus, he chose it in order to rescue us. The consequences of his action were the very thing on his mind. His sacrifice was intentional, purposeful and efficacious!

Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3

Jesus knew his suffering would be great, but because of the joy that was coming, he endured. He looked at you and me and said it is worth it. I am willing. Let’s take a look at Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing things had been set in motion. This is his conversation with God the Father:

Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22:42-44

Part of him must have dreaded what was coming. He counted the cost and deemed that it would be worth it but going through it was not going to be easy. His determination to push through because he loved us shouts through the years reminding us of the value that God puts on us.

Appreciation surrounds me like a warm blanket on a frigid winter night as I draw comfort from the knowledge that Jesus takes joy in our relationship. Another realization is not far behind, a powerful recognition that along with salvation, I have acquired an insurmountable debt that I am neither able, nor expected to repay, and yet my life should reflect the fact that it now belongs fully to the one who paid so much to ransom me. 

Jesus’ sacrifice should serve as an example to us. He held nothing back in order to redeem us. 

Together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:17

The call to give everything back to God is not the obligatory requirement of a slave; but rather the seemingly irresistible draw of a loving Father, allowing us to bring our meagre sacrifice, with the hope of honoring him. 

Although the line for those wanting a share of the glory stretches unabatedly toward the horizon; the line of those willingly stepping forward to share in his suffering is rather diminutive. But this doesn’t read as an optional path. The glory and suffering seem to be wound together, like a tightly woven cord, one alternately obscuring the view of the other throughout the course of our lives. 

As we turn more and more of our hearts and lives over to God we often find that there is a marked increase in difficult struggles within our lives. Sometimes these are brought on by those around us who do not understand or approve of our fervor and zeal after God. Sometimes they come from our own flesh putting up a fight for it’s life! Sometimes it is just life happening around us. 

Similar to the tension that increases as you stretch an elastic band to its limit; a spiritual tension grows as you turn your face toward God and press forward with determination to give him everything that you have. The deeper you dig and the more committed you are to push closer to your Savior, the more that tension increases. 

But Paul reminds us:

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:18

Jesus willingly endured the cross for the joy that was coming. Keeping an eternal perspective will give us the endurance to continue to move forward even when we feel the tension increasing. 

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58