Dear Friend,

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Among other things, Paul is here noting that it costs much more to live according to the way of Jesus Christ than to simply go with the social consensus. Jesus is from top to bottom, a disturbing leader. For example, one soon learns that he believes his values are the values of God. “If you really knew me you would know my father also” (John 14:7). As if to make any and every attempt to discourage persons from his discipleship, Jesus had other troubling disclosures. “You will be hated by all nations because of me” (Matthew 24:9); “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16); “A time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God”(John 16:2).

Jesus did not remain popular among his own people for very long. His representation of God did not accord with their ideas of the deity. The spiritual leaders wanted to kill him. They were making a good living from their religious institutions, and did not appreciate any threat to such a successful system. Though Pilate was convinced of Jesus' innocence, he perceived a political cost to himself if he did not accede to the call for his execution. Jesus own disciples never protested the injustice of it because they were being careful to save their own hides.

When Jesus died, he died alone. His isolation was absolute. He had not an advocate, not a friend in all the world. He was rejected by his enemies and abandoned by his friends. There was no religious tradition that could accommodate him; no wisdom that could understand him; no cultural convention to value and protect him. To his principles and loyalties he discovered no sympathy, no answering note of appreciation. He was out of this world.

The humiliation and death of Jesus shows that the ways of God are anathema to the ways of man. Jesus enacted -and invited all to follow him in-a morality that the whole world considered useless and insulting. Consider this: “Blessed are those who mourn . . . . blessed are the meek . . . . blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake” (Matthew 5:3-10) or “If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well . . . . Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:40-43).

Many find Christianity appealing till they hear Christ speak these words. They find them deeply offensive. The love Jesus exemplified has no counterpart in the world. By nature we would rather live under any tyranny than be constrained by such 'idealistic nonsense.' "We have no king but Caesar," roared the Jewish mob. They hated Caesar, but not as much as they hated God.

Paul knew his Lord, and he had weighed the cost in his own flesh, of following him. This is what lies behind today's Scripture. He was not registering a complaint. He was stating a fact. Those who follow Jesus will not for that reason have an easier life. On the contrary, they will sample the very enmity that was ranged against Jesus. They will not have a soft life, but they will have a good life; the best life. They will have found the greatest thing in the universe-the love of God. They will discover that patience, endurance, much effort and sacrifice are each authentic accompaniments of such love. Will they be disappointed or aggrieved? Not at all. Like Christ they will se the travail of their souls, and be satisfied.

May God be with you.

Ron J. Allen.