OK, I know as Mom I’m a bit biased, but isn’t this a good looking boy? This is Abraham. He’s been part of our family for over twelve years now. As many of you know from experience, pet ownership can be a great joy, but also carries with it a huge responsibility. There are often steep costs for loving a pet. Since Abraham is not our first “furry child” we knew the costs before we brought him home – the financial costs, the restrictions and considerations every time we travel, and the cost in time and work on a daily basis. And although the costs are high, the unconditional love and rewards that come from this sweet animal make it so worthwhile.

Recently though, our commitment to Abraham was tested, as we had a re-awakening to the high cost of love. We learned last week that Abraham has diabetes. Ugh! We’ve been down this road before. Our first dog, Sam, also had diabetes. We’ve invested in the time commitment and rigid schedule of twice a day insulin shots. We’ve experienced the inability to leave town without having someone trustworthy to administer his medication. And we’ve faced the fears and panic of potentially administering too much medication. And then, of course, there are the high financial costs of insulin, special diets, and regular blood work to keep his sugar level regulated. Yes we’ve been there before so we know the costs.

But, how do you measure – or limit – what you are willing to do for love? Would we really consider any options other than committing to give our Abraham the medication he needs? Once again with this new challenge, I realized in a very real way, that the cost of love is high. Those of us who have ‘furkids’ would never even consider not treating our pet’s illness, any more than if he were a sick child. True love is costly. And we willingly pay the price every day for those we love – even dogs!

As we get ready to celebrate Easter in just a few days, and as our Holy Week activities call to mind the events in Jesus’ life leading up to that triumphal day, this recent reminder of the cost of love also brings to mind the fact that the ultimate price for love is not paid by you or me, but was paid for you and me. I wonder though, do we really have any idea of the price Jesus paid to give us the freedom and joy of a relationship with his Father? What was the cost of his amazing love for us?

His love for us cost God his only Son.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Can you imagine giving up your child for someone else? I can’t. Is there anyone you could possibly love enough to let your own child suffer and die for them? I don’t think so. Yet that’s exactly what God did for you and for me.

His love for us cost Jesus his home.
The Bible tells us that Jesus existed from the beginning of time. “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Yet, as the all-powerful, eternal, creator of the universe, Jesus – the Son – was willing to leave his throne and become a lowly created being. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.” (Philippians 2:6 NLT) He took on the nature of a mere human being. He experienced all that we experience (with the exception of sin): hunger, pain, physical illness and every temptation. The creator became the created, for you and for me.

His love for us cost Jesus his life.
Christ willingly suffered humiliation, torture, and a cruel death on a Roman cross for us. The brutality of Jesus’ last hours on earth arequite accurately portrayed in the film, The Passion of the Christ, and were beyond what most of us can even comprehend. And when Jesus (being fully human) agonized in prayer before his death saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” he knew (being also fully God) exactly what he faced. Jesus could have said, “No. Find another way!” But he didn’t. He chose the nails, for you and for me.

His love for us cost Jesus everything.
On the cross, Jesus “became sin for us.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)  Every sin that ever was or ever would be committed in all of human history was placed upon him. The holocaust, the torture and rape of innocent children, mass murders, abortions of millions of unborn children, lies, cheating, greed, pride, lust, child abuse, spousal abuse, and all the rest… all the guilt, all the shame, all the blame for all the sin of all mankind, was born willingly by the Son of God.

And his words “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34) were cried in desperation from the cross the very moment the Father turned away from his Son for the first time – in eternity. The Father abandoned his Son. He could not even stand to look at the evil that Jesus now had become. The Father and Son had experienced perfect union, perfect love, since before time began. There was never one moment of separation, until he bore our sin.  Jesus was ‘disowned’ by his Father, for you and for me.

Christ willingly paid the ultimate price of love. No matter what you may have sacrificed for another person, no matter how much you have given in love, no matter how unselfishly you offer your life for another, you will never match the matchless gift of love given to you by your Savior. Why? Because you matter to God. You are so valuable to him, that he gave everything – for you. The cost of love was not too high a price for him to pay. That is how much he loves you. What a God we have!

So how does that kind of love change you? Listen to my most recent message, Changed by Love and find out. Then, celebrate God’s amazing love with me and those you love this Easter. And click on the Comments link above to share  how you are celebrating the amazing love of our Risen King!

Happy Easter!