What It Costs to Follow Christ.
By M. E. Emerson
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isa. 55:1. THE first thought expressed in this verse is that the plan of salvation does not depend upon wealth or upon poverty, but upon one’s thirsting for it. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money.” All may come to Jesus, the Fount of Life, and drink. Tho we are poor in this world’s goods, we may come. If fortune has blessed us with heaping measure, we have no advantage over the poorest of God’s creatures. Every one who thirsts may come. Christ left His home in heaven and came to earth to save all those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; and our salvation depends upon accepting His salvation. Are we thirsting for life through Jesus? If so, He bids us, “Come.” He offers us salvation free. We must realize our sinful condition, our weakness, and then fly to Him. Before the hand reaches out to pluck the delicious fruit, the heart’s desire goes forth. Neither does the hand hold the vessel at the fountain to catch its flow, until the mind realizes the need of drink. Nor will the soul reach out after God, until it sees and feels the need of spiritual drink. We must come to the place where we can see ourselves as we are,—poor, weak, helpless creatures of dust, wretched and unworthy,—then God will help us. Then He will minister to us His strength, and the beautiful garment of righteousness that comes with the putting away of sins. “Buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Why does the scripture say “buy,” if it is without money and without price? God’s word will explain. “And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto Him, Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest.” Luke 9:57. The Master answered: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.” Verse 58. Even the wild beasts have places to hide from tempest and storm, and the fowls of heaven have nests where they nestle their young; but the Creator of these things, when He came to redeem man from sin and bring him back to God, had no place that He could call home. And thus Christ revealed to this man that it means sacrifice to be a follower of Jesus. To follow Jesus will cost worldly fame and honor. But compare this world with the things God has in store for those who love Him. To be a follower of Jesus cost Moses all the riches of Egypt. “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Heb. 11:24-26. He esteemed the work that God had called him to do of so great importance that he left all this worldly fame and went out to suffer hardship with the people of God. Moses did not receive the favor of Heaven with no sacrifice on his part; neither can we. Abraham, when called to leave his father’s house and go out unto a land which he should afterward receive for an inheritance, went out, not knowing whither he went. God calls now as then. Is the sacrifice too great for us? Jesus says, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be My disciple.” Luke 14:33. Will we walk by faith and obey, as did Abraham? “In the way of righteousness is life.”