What does counting the cost have to do with Thanksgiving?
Many of us are counting the cost these days. The cost of fuel at the gas station, the price of groceries keeps going higher and now we are looking forward to Christmas and the presents we would like to buy for family and friends.
If you’re on a budget all of this brings up the thoughts of cost cutting. But once again, how does this tie into having a thankful heart?
I was reminded of not counting the cost the other day when I came home and heard a song on Pandora.
“Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that you’re my God,
You’re altogether lovely,
Altogether wonderful to me.
I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.
I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.
And I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.
No I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.” By Chris Tomlin
“I’ll never know how much it cost”…stop and think about that!
How much did it cost Jesus to bear our sin? It cost Him relationship with His Father. It cost Him His home in heaven, His reputation. He was hated by men and hated by the realm of Satan and his demons and they spent time trying to destroy Him. He was misunderstood by His friends and family. It cost Him His physical life, which He laid down willingly, but only for three days and then He rose again!
Aren’t we glad that Jesus didn’t look for cost saving measures when it came to our salvation. No second-rate sacrifice, only the most costly would do. To Jesus, we were worth it!
“He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, ‘He is a nobody!’ 4 He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. 5 He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well…
8 He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. 9 He wasn’t dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb of cruel and rich people. 10 The LORD decided his servant would suffer as a sacrifice to take away the sin and guilt of others. Now the servant will live to see his own descendants. He did everything the LORD had planned. 11 By suffering, the servant will learn the true meaning of obeying the LORD.
Although he is innocent, he will take the punishment for the sins of others, so that many of them will no longer be guilty. 12 The LORD will reward him with honor and power for sacrificing his life. Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins and asked God to forgive us.” Isaiah 53:3-12 CEV
This is loving kindness. This is how valuable Jesus thinks we are. Thank you Jesus for going through all of this just for me!