Menu

2 Samuel 24:18-25 – In Light of Christ

One motivation to costly service is that we are promised a reward – even in this life! We could make a horrible mistake here to think that our salvation depends on our efforts. It doesn’t! And hopefully what we’ve seen so far has already made that clear. David’s desire to offer a costly sacrifice isn’t because he’s hoping to earn his salvation. He speaks as a man who already has a deep relationship with God. We’re saved only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, which these burnt offerings and peace offerings pointed forward to. And yet Jesus says that even in this life, costly service will be rewarded: ‘Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life’. Why does he add on: ‘and eternal life’? Because your willingness – or lack of willingness – to serve God in costly ways now is part of the evidence as to whether you’re one of his people or not. Jesus tells us that we must count the cost before becoming a disciple. And if we think we can get to Heaven despite our faith never costing us, then that is a Christianity of our own making, and therefore will not be accepted by God.

This chapter – and this book of 2nd Samuel – ends at the threshing floor of Araunah, now owned by David. But we can’t end there. Because as the account of the same events in 1st Chronicles goes on to tell us, David declares that that threshing floor will be the site of the temple – where for centuries sacrifices would be offered. Up until the final sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ meant no more were needed. And the ultimate reason that we refuse to offer to the LORD that which cost us nothing, is that our salvation cost him everything. So there’s nothing more to pay. And in light of all that he has done for us, any sacrifice he calls us to make is not a burden but a blessing.

Question

  1. What happens to the threshing floor?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.