At one point in Jesus ministry, a lot of His followers abandoned Him, for they found what He taught about, to challenging the price to high.

We often talk of heroes of the faith in terms of what they’ve given up – the comforts of a modern home, being surrounded by friends and family, maybe even those who have given up the idea of having a spouse, so that they can spend more time ministering. (one church I was at sponsored such a lady who ran an orphanage in Hawaii)  We are amazed at the cost some people will pay, as they minister for Jesus at what appears to us – to be great cost.

We respond greatly to pleas from those who sacrifice, we fund their missions and ministries, we tell others of what they’ve done.  But how much are we willing to sacrifice?  Instead of money, what about time?  What about our pride, our dignity?

That question is a good one to ask, because it gets to what we’ve made idols in our lives quickly.  Ask a five year old to somewhere with Mommy and Daddy, and you will quickly find where his treasures lie!  But ask him which He loves more, get him to think about it… and the answer will change – and eventually the attitude as well  (Eventually)

The answer to the question of what is to high a cost to serve God can only be answered by first looking at our relationship with God – realizing His love, realizing His desire to know us, and the sacrifice He made… and realizing what we gain because of it.

When everyone found the cost of listening to Jesus teaching to high here is how St Peter answered a

^6:67 Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life, ⁶⁹ and we believe; we have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.’
John 6:67-69 (NJB)

May we, as we cry out “Lord Have Mercy” come to the realization that no cost is too high, for everything we are… is because of Him, and is His.