Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Price Tag

Yesterday, I heard a true story of a new Christian who was previously involved with vice activities. He left his old way of life to be a disciple of Christ. He not only gave up his large monthly income, but also began to practice abstaining from alcohol. Whenever he hangs out with his friends, they make fun of him for these two things. He simply says “Now I am a Christian, and Jesus says cannot get drunk.”

Have you counted the cost of being a disciple recently? We’ve had the Easter crucifixion replayed so many times in our minds that, as shocking as it is (the scary medical details; the violent scenes from the Passion movie; one of our church uncles drawing a beard, taking off his shirt and acting as a very Asian looking Jesus), we lose sight of Jesus himself and don’t ask Him or ourselves, “What will it cost?”

Strip away all the old layers of details and scenes, and return to that first Easter. Stand at the foot of the cross. What is the price Christ paid? Like the story I was told, can we hear Jesus asking us to pay a price? What is it that ‘Jesus says…’ to you?

Christ came to me the night he was betrayed,
Took my hands in His, asked “Will you obey?
Will you pay the price, when I have paid mine?
Through thick and thin, through test of time”

What are your thoughts on that first Easter? What will it cost you to be a Jesus disciple in your own community?