HELEN SANDERS
10-26-2022
COUNTING THE COST
Before you go into ministry you might want to consider this:
Jesus said that because he was going to the Father that we would do the things that he did. Wow, we can do what Jesus did. That sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Glory, that sounds awesome.
Yet, what did he do? Well, he walked on water. That’s good. He made the loaves and fishes multiply. That’s good. He healed the sick. That’s great! He cast out demons. That is terrific. He opened blind eyes. That is amazing. He did so many wonderful works.
In spite of this, in his hometown he could do very little. What else happened to him? He was called a bastard. His family was looked down on, because Mary was pregnant before marriage with Joseph. Yes, they were legally bound together, but if Joseph hadn’t stepped in and defended Mary she would have been stoned to death. Not such a great family history, right?
Then his brothers and sisters questioned who he was. No family loyalty there, right? Then he was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of Satan. That doesn’t sound very pleasant. Then he was despised by the “religious” crowd who were always looking for something to destroy and discredit his ministry. Not much of a friendship there, right?
Father gave him an assignment to upset the apple cart of the religious leaders by driving them out of the temple. I’m sure that didn’t go over too well. Then he was falsely accused and was put on trial and found guilty.
Many of the ones that said crucify him had praised him the weeks before. That sounds like two-faced friends, right? He asked his friends to pray with him, and they fell asleep, and one close friend betrayed him.
Then he was whipped, scourged, crucified, and died. I can’t say I like that part at all. But there was hope when he was raised from the dead. Sounds better, right?
When we think of the things that he did we desire to do the same. We often we think only of the miracles, and good things. Being in ministry cost Jesus everything. Before you even think about being in ministry remember this—you may lose your family, your friends, your reputation and even your life to be like Jesus. It will cost you everything, yet it will be worth it all to some day hear Jesus say, “well done thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21a).
Being a follower of Jesus is a choice. Are you ready to pay the price?
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