Recently, a man was released from prison after serving 17 years for a crime he never committed. He had been wrongly accused and quickly sentenced and sent off to serve those years, until finally evidence was brought forth that proved he didn’t do it. Can you imagine the pain and anguish he must have gone through everyday sitting in that prison cell all the while knowing he was innocent of the crime for which he was being punished?
We think “how terrible that would be!” Here this man spent 17 years of his life paying for 1 crime which he never committed. And, that is horrible to think about, yet almost 2000 years ago when Jesus Christ was standing before the Roman ruler, Pontius Pilate, Luke 23:4 tells us, “Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no guilt in this man.'” And yet, just a few hours later – Jesus Christ hung on the cross paying the penalty for not just ONE crime He didn’t commit, but for ALL of the sins and crimes that would EVER be committed in the history of the world.
The physical pain of crucifixion was terrible in itself, yet the pain of a broken heart paying the penalty for sins He never committed, was far worse for our loving Savior to go through. Yet, He did it out of love for you and for me. I think of the words to this song:
They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed
They led Him thru the streets in shame
They spat upon the Savior so pure and free from sin
They said, “crucify him: He’s to blame
Upon his precious head they placed a crown of thorns
They laughed and said, “Behold the king”
They struck him and they cursed Him and mocked his holy name
All alone he suffered everything
To the howling mob he yielded: He did not for mercy cry
The cross of shame he took alone
And when he cried, “It’s finished,” He gave himself to die
Salvation’s wondrous plan was done.
When we think it costs us too much to serve God. When we think it’s too difficult, the price is too high. When we get wearied and discouraged and depressed. Remember what Jesus did for US! He is GOD, He didn’t have to do it, yet He loved us enough to die! Read the words to the chorus of the song:
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But He died alone, for you and me.
When Jesus Christ prayed in the Garden before the soldiers came to arrest Him and take Him to die, He prayed; “He knelt down and began to pray, saying, ‘Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.’ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.” (Luke 22:41-44)
He knew how difficult and painful what He was about to go through would be, but He said, “yet not My will, but Yours be done.” If ever an innocent man was charged and convicted of crimes He never committed, it was Jesus! And yet, knowing full well what it would cost Him – He paid the penalty for ALL OF OUR SINS!!
So, when you think, “It costs too much to serve Him!” Think about what it COST HIM to LOVE US!