The cost of salvation, as revealed through the observance of Passover, is profound and far-reaching. It centers on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose life was given to establish a covenant with us, a relationship that opens the way to salvation. This covenant, made in His blood, cost Him His life, the most precious and expensive life ever lived on earth. It did not come cheap, for it was through this giving of His life that a relationship with God became possible, bridging the separation caused by sin. The awesomeness of this cost is meant to instill in us a deep sense of personal obligation to Christ. He endured immense pain and had His body torn for each of us individually, not just for humanity in general. Until we grasp that He died for me, we risk missing the conviction that should profoundly affect our conduct. Furthermore, the cost of salvation includes the example Christ set, showing how far He was willing to go without sinning, teaching us the cost of staying free by striving for sinlessness. This cost extends beyond Christ's sacrifice. Over vast periods, countless animal sacrifices symbolized His life, with hundreds of thousands of lambs slain in a single Passover to make a lesson. These sacrifices, often of animals close to the family, underscored personal responsibility for the death of the Lamb of God. Additionally, the historical witness of innumerable human lives across thousands of years demonstrates that no way apart from God's produces lasting peace or prosperity, reinforcing the necessity of this sacrifice. Lastly, the cost of salvation includes our own lives. We are bought with a price, the life of the Creator, placing us under obligation to glorify God in our body and spirit. Passover, therefore, encompasses not only the cost to become free through Christ's death but also the ongoing cost to remain free, reflected in our commitment to continue in His way. This immense cost, spanning billions of years of God's planning, highlights our immeasurable value to Him and demands a sober appreciation as we observe Passover.

Self-renunciation is an indispensable condition of following Christ, required for accurately counting the true cost of allegiance to Him. This condition of full and selfless service to God demands our hearts and minds, not just our bodies. In Luke 14:25-33, two parables and an exhortation urge us to forsake all that we have as a mandatory condition to becoming Christ's disciples. Loyalty to Jesus Christ and God the Father must be above even the highest loyalties of earthly love, ensuring that all our love of self is subordinate to our love for God, who must be first in our life. The discipleship to which Christ calls us means a life of surrender to God's will and sacrifice for His cause. If we count the cost of full submission to Christ's claim on us, we also must count on His grace and help to become one with Him. His disciples do not make the journey to His Kingdom for free; it costs them their lives. The costliness of commitment to God's will is seen in the example of Jesus, who requires nothing of us that He Himself has not done. Christ lived with the humiliation and agony that often accompanies living according to the will of God. Both the Father and the Son counted the cost before proceeding with their plan for the salvation of humanity. In being sent into the world, Jesus knew ahead of time what it would take to accomplish the divine goal. Before entering into God's way of life, we should estimate the cost, understanding that although it is costly, it is worth it. Failure to count the cost of following Christ results in an incomplete life. Similarly, in the parable of a king going to war, both the king and the saints must count the cost of their lives in preparation for battle against spiritual enemies. Perseverance, endurance, willpower, and willingness to sacrifice are all traits required in this time of crisis. Not only must we count upon forsaking all, but we must also be willing to run the full distance to arrive at the Kingdom of God. Jesus teaches that discipleship must include planning and sacrifice, ensuring we are willing to pay the full price by giving up everything for Him, including pleasures, distractions, material possessions, and even family, if they prevent us from serving God. In this war against powerful enemies, we must exercise self-control and be willing to sacrifice, overcoming only with the help of the Spirit of our King.