The Cost of Love

Linda Birtish literally gave herself away. Linda was an outstanding teacher who felt that if she had the time, she would like to create great art and poetry. When she was 28, however, she began to get severe headaches. Her doctors discovered that she had an enormous brain tumor. They told her that her chances of surviving an operation were about 2 percent. Therefore, rather than operate immediately, they chose to wait for six months.

She knew she had great artistry in her. So during those six months she wrote and drew feverishly. All of her poetry, except one piece, was published in magazines. All of her art, except one piece, was shown and sold at some of the leading galleries.

At the end of six months, she had the operation. The night before the operation, she decided to literally give herself away. In case of her death, she wrote a “will,” in which she donated all of her body parts to those who needed them more than she would.

Unfortunately, Linda’s operation was fatal. Subsequently, her eyes went to an eye bank in Bethesda, Maryland, and from there to a recipient in South Carolina. A young man, age 28, went from darkness to sight. That young man was so profoundly grateful that he wrote to the eye bank thanking them for existing. It was only the second “thank you” that the eye bank had received after giving out in excess of 30,000 eyes!

As Disciples of Christ, this story can help us reflect on what it means to pour ourselves out for others, to give when the cost is great, and have an attitude that would exemplify the costly love lived out by our greatest example, Jesus Christ.

Back Story

Philippians 2 is a letter from Paul to the Church he set up in Phillipi.

Written while in prison around 59-62 AD.

Written on how to live as a Christian in a non-believing world by reminding his readers that God has called them to live as a reps of the “Citizenship of Heaven.”

A Golden Nugget nestled in Chapter 2

A famous Christological Hymn which emphasises the Doctrine of Incarnation

Incarnation: The assumption of Human Nature by God

Paul begins his letter with Greeting, Opening of Prayer, Paul’s life and the Joy of Preaching Christ,

Then switches gear: I have done, now you do.

Live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.! And, he kicks this off with today’s scripture on having the attitude of Christ.

This hymn, found in Paul’s text, is an explanation of Christ, who He is, how He viewed life and loved both people & God, and what he gave up because of that love.

I want you to listen for what Jesus gave up in coming to Earth to pay our ransom. Listen for the COST of His LOVE.

Philippians 2:5–11 NLT

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What Christ Gave Up

Life as God

Philippians 2:5–6 NLT

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

Status: Rags to Riches

God Almighty - Palestinian Jew in the ANE / Humble baby.

Created literally - Everything! & Worshipped by everything - Reduced to son of a virgin & a poor carpenter.

Trinity/Relationship - Homoousious - The Same Stuff

Now a distance in that Trinitarian Relationship

Authority & Powers of God

Philippians 2:7a NLT

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

Loss of privileges. - He self-limited His privileges while here on earth.

Loss of acting as God

Loss of:

Omniscience - Knowing Everything.

Omnipresence - Everywhere at the same time.

Omnipotence - Unlimited Power.

To Be Treated Like God

Philippians 2:8 NLT

8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Dying a criminal’s death on the cross was humiliating for a mere human, let alone the One who created us.

Christ suffered & died at the hands of His own creation.

This is no way to treat the King of the Universe!

Why?

Love

How do we know this?

Jesus knows what God the Father thinks and feels about us, His people:

Psalm 139:16–17 NLT

16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!

Matthew 10:29–31 NLT

29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Romans 8:28–29 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

John 3:16–17 NLT

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

2 Peter 3:9 NLT

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

John 14:2–3 NLT

2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Jesus is working out God’s mission to reconcile people to God:

Colossians 1:19–20 NLT

19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Jesus: The King of kings, Lord of lords - the creator of everything!…humbled Himself in order that you and I have the opportunity to be adopted back into God’s family. To take our places as rightful heirs of God’s Kingdom. To be in a right relationship with God Himself.

John 1:12 NLT

12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Jesus gave Himself as a living sacrifice for you and me.- Because God LOVES us.

What is the COST of LOVE? Death! Death of God Himself.

But it doesn’t end there! There was also a resurrection! In that resurrection fo Jesus, life was given. The ransom was paid, and our lives were restored.

Imagine, lives being restored through death.

We may never fully understand the extreme sacrifice Jesus paid for us. But, we do get a glimpse of how His life touched ours. 2,000 years after Jesus’ ministry on this earth, we reap the benefits of His life as a human. He has touched our lives because of His Love for us.

What does Love cost you?

Not in currency, or things, or preferences.

But what of YOURSELF are you giving to others, in light of Jesus’ sacrifices?

Remember Linda Birtish? There’s more to that story. We left off with a 28 year old man being thankful, and writing a thank you letter to the Eye Bank, for receiving sight from eyes donated by an artist named Linda. The story continues:

Furthermore, he said he wanted to thank the parents of the donor. They must indeed be magnificent folks to have a child who would give away her eyes. He was given the name of the Birtish family and he decided to fly in to see them on Staten Island. He arrived unannounced and rang the doorbell. After hearing his introduction, Mrs. Birtish reached out and embraced him. She said, “Young man, if you’ve got nowhere to go, my husband and I would love for you to spend your weekend with us.”

He stayed, and as he was looking around Linda’s room, he saw that she’d read Plato. He’d read Plato in Braille. She’d read Hegel. He’d read Hegel in Braille.

The next morning Mrs. Birtish was looking at him and said, “You know, I’m sure I’ve seen you somewhere before, but I don’t know where.” All of a sudden she remembered. She ran upstairs and pulled out the last picture Linda had ever drawn. It was a portrait of her ideal man.

The picture was virtually identical to this young man who had received Linda’s eyes.

Then her mother read the last poem Linda had written on her deathbed. It read:

Two hearts passing in the night falling in love never able to gain each other’s sight.

by: Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen

Is it True? - Guideline #6. Your story must be true. No fiction, no creative writing.