Everything Has A Price Series

Once free, the Israelites were able to worship God, to enter the temple and give God honor and praise. But to do so, they had to offer an unblemished lamb, a perfect sacrifice, on the fiery altar. Because of the separation between humankind and God, only through death could one ever enter into God’s presence and receive forgiveness. Someone, something needed to pay for sin. EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE.

Jesus’ disciples were anxious to follow Jesus. But they found the way hard and filled with trouble. Jesus once told them some parables about Kingdom life (Mt. 13:44-46). “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Jesus was teaching them that EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE.

The disciples learned and lived the principle. Consider how they died.

Simon Peter was crucified upside down; Andrew was crucified; James was beheaded; John was exiled and died of old age; Matthew was speared to death; Bartholomew was beaten and then then crucified; Philip was crucified; Thomas was speared to death; Simon was crucified; Thaddaeus was stoned to death. EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE.

Then there’s Jesus. He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" They were rejoicing in their new King. Jesus would, indeed, be victorious over the enemy. Jesus would, indeed, set up His Kingdom. Jesus would, indeed, take the seat of power and reign. Jesus would, indeed, rule the world. But after a time of intense prayer to His Father, Jesus went to His sleeping disciples and said, “Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" He was crucified, dead, and buried. EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE.

So today we proclaim Jesus as King – and we should. But He is a King by virtue of the price He paid. (Phil 2:5-11 NLT) “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

So how do you see Jesus? As a resource to help in a time of need? As a guarantee when assurance is needed? As a strength in time of weakness? As a healer in time of brokenness? As a ruler in time of trouble and temptation? As a comfort in times of sorrow? He is all of these. But how often do you see Him as the Suffering Savior who paid the price? “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.” Hallelujah! What a Savior!