We all want something.We all have expectations and we all have a price.All our giving usually has a dedegree of receive attached to it no matter how self sacrificing we believe ourselves to be. Only in knowing it can we count the cost and forsake immediate payment for something further along the road.Jesus said that we needed to love him more than our very lives and it might not be the not dying part but also the parts that seem less important. Perhaps 3 meals a day or a good house or a property or a better car or something else that we might seek to bargain for in exchange for us to continue following Jesus
There is a scripture in eclesiasties that states. I am my beloveds and he is mine. That acknowledgement alone brings with it two important aspects that remove the necessity of looking for recompense in other forms for our service. Knowing the beloved Jesus and knowing we are beloved in return.The only factor that affects this transaction is the degree we know or believe we are loved for out of this comes our expectation of returns.Sometimes we are tested in this when our desires for other things, sometimes even Noble or necessary things cause us to reconsider again the cost. A type or re evaluation.As Human beings we find ourselves doing this from time to time in all manor of things, even with friends and family.Perhaps because we know we are mortal and everything costs us and we have to pay a price for it, even just to live day by day.But if we are loved. This is the one currency that causes us to sacrifices more than anything else in this life as we count these costs.Jesus said there was no greater love than this that someone would lay down their life for a friend. Again it could just be the day to day sacrifice that we make in support of someone which takes time and energy away from our own wants or needs or it could be the ultimate sacrifice as Jesus demonstrated by laying his life down for us.Yet in the garden of gesemeny he had his own moment of re evaluation.A moment when he could have said that the cost was too high. He asked God if it were possible for there to be another way, to take away the cup of suffering.But scripture says that because of what was laid up before him he endured the suffering.Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.He didn’t need to look forward to the love as he already possessed it but he looked forward to the joy.
The joy of being reunited with the father and uniting us right along together with him. Let’s press on to continue to know what is the height,depth and breadth of this love.Jesus has received his joy. For in him also is the fullness of our joy.