The cost of the cross is your life. It is presenting yourself as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God as an act of worship. This act of worship is not once in a while, but it is to be a lifestyle. It is denying self to put God, His will, His way and His word first. It is laying aside one’s feelings and opinions and making God’s instructions not just a priority, but the priority. It is not easy and goes against everything the world stands for, but thankfully the Holy Spirit empowers followers of Christ to boldly walk in faith, focusing on Christ in spite of the obstacles.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26
Pastor Olman in Costa Rica understands the importance of a soul. On a recent trip to the Chirripó Mountains, where he brings food, medicine and the Gospel to these forgotten people, his body as usual was worn out and weary from trekking treacherous trails for ten to twelve hours up the mountains and then walking some more extra hours to other villages. There is no bed to lay his head, so he pitches his tent in an unfinished church to rest for the night. He returned home after this arduous trip with pains in his arms and his legs. But, he was thankful because of the work God was doing restoring souls and people. Pastor Olman expressed that he gets a lot of satisfaction from God who gives him strength, so his well-being does not matter. Sometimes when he helps, it comes at a cost. A few months ago many people in the villages had COVID-19. It can take them up to three days to get to a hospital, therefore he went and offered medical assistance to them and contracted COVID-19 himself. This man of God is on a mission to save souls and lives, no matter the risk. Therefore, he has taken up his cross, dying to self as he follows Jesus.
On the other side of the world in Pakistan, S gets up early and loads up his tuktuk, a three wheeled vehicle, to drive an hour away to work with another neglected group of people, brick kiln workers. He is a Christian in a country where this religion represents less than two percent of the population, put that doesn’t stop him from sharing God’s love. The ministry is supervised by his brother who many call E who lives in Switzerland with his wife and daughter. He is a student with little resources and relies on God to finance not only the brick kiln school, but also the church in Lahore and the other ministries to the children and youth. However, the needs at the brick kiln factory are overwhelming. The children sit on the ground during extreme weather conditions for their classes. Sometimes it is too cold and another time it is too hot. There is no roof where they have school, so S has to go early in the morning to have classes before ten o’clock in the morning before the sun is too hot for the students. Many of whom already suffer from many ailments because the only water they have to drink is polluted, plus there is a lack of healthcare. The school is important as it teaches the children English and also about Jesus, and while knowing English gives them hope of having a better future, knowing and accepting Jesus gives them eternal life. God is using S and E to execute His plans for these children and their families to have a hope and a future.
Now, seeing the success of the school, Muslim families who feel hopeless are asking for their children to join the classes. S will not turn them away although there is a great need for more teachers and school supplies. His purpose is to show them the love of Christ.
The greatest display of love was Christ dying on the cross for each of us although we may reject Him every day. This love came with a price – His life. Yet, we refuse Jesus’ love, when we do not love in turn and carry our own cross. Bearing our cross means we die to our own ways, our own will and even our own words. But too many of us aren’t ready to die to self in order to show selfless service to others.
The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40
What have you done for the least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters? They are all around, near and far. Whether in the faraway cold Chirripó Mountains in Costa Rica, or in the dusty brick kiln factories in Pakistan where people live in slave-like conditions, or an underprivileged community near your home, there are people who need your help. And, like Pastor Olman, S and E, we must take up our cross and deny self to show Christ’s love to those in need.
Starting this Easter, will you make the decision take up your cross and follow Jesus? Jesus has already paid the cost on the cross, we only have to accept it and follow Him in loving and helping others.
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