It Will Never Cost More (or Less)
A very fun news story is making the rounds, as it does each year at this time. A group that studies economic inflation in the United States comes out with a report each holiday season sharing what it would cost to purchase the items from the twelve verses of the carol “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
As with a lot of other things, the price is up. In fact, according to their analysis, if you were to purchase all the items in the song, in 2021 it would cost you $41,206. (I don’t know about you, but we don’t have quite that large of a Christmas budget, so no lords-a-leaping again this year!)
Certainly, there is a serious side to their research, as inflation worries many people. To study it in this more laid back way, though, at least can make us smile a bit, even with the numbers are up.
But this is not an article about economics or politics or even Christmas.
Instead, this is an article about salvation.
There may seem to be no connection, but I assure you there is something to consider. People who rarely pay attention to little fluctuations in prices are noticing them now. Basic items like groceries are noticeably more expensive than they were just a few months ago. It is causing people to pinch pennies and it really worries many people.
But markets like that move. It is okay to be concerned, but we all know that the price of meat or milk or gasoline goes up and down over time. We know that inflation is “baked into” our economic system somewhat, so we expect some level of price change.
When it comes to salvation, though, the price has never changed for one profound reason: it has always been as high as could be possible.
The blood of Jesus was and is the price that was paid for your salvation and mine. Additionally, the requirement to be “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:2) has been and is required of us. There is no way to go any higher than that.
However, there is also no way we can attempt to lessen it. If we are not baptized, for example, we are never appropriating the blood of Jesus into our lives, even though His blood is what saves us. To avoid that is to lessen His sacrifice (not to mention His requirements; Mark 16:16).
And then, to try to do any less than being a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) is to not be all that God demands of us. We are told that the greatest of all commandments is to love God with our entire being (Mark 12:30-31). Can we dare give any less?
So the next time you are at the store and your palms get a little sweaty because you are concerned about how much that loaf of bread costs now, that is okay. But let it be a reminder to you of something that cost far more and something that requires far more of you: your salvation through the blood of Jesus and through a sacrificial life. That price will never change.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
