The Price

[0:00] A Pastor's Reflections The Price Genesis 34, 11-12 And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, Let me find grace in your eyes, and what you shall say unto me I will give.

[0:16] Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as you shall say unto me, but give the damsel to wife. 1 John 3, 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

[0:34] Galatians 1, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.

[0:46] Shechem's behavior was reprehensible, his morals screwed up, and his treatment of Dinah anything but loving. And yet there was a certain desperation that brought out the best in Shechem.

[0:59] Shechem has most certainly not had the benefit of a wholesome upbringing. Instead of reproaching his son for his behavior, his father affirms him in it, and even goes so far as to help him secure the desires of his wayward heart.

[1:14] And yet, however backwards Shechem may have been in his methods of securing Dinah's affections, he does seem to genuinely love her, as far as his capacity and understanding of love goes.

[1:30] Desperate to gain his bride, Shechem offers the first glimmer of self-sacrificing love. He promises to give whatever it costs. Genesis 34, 19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter, and he was more honorable than all the house of his father.

[1:54] Shechem's motives were for one purpose only, to gain a bride. When he promised Jacob and his sons that he would do whatever it takes, he meant it, and he lived it.

[2:04] For him, his personal sacrifice was nothing in comparison to what he would gain, a bride. Matthew 13, 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden afield, the which when a man has found, he hides, and for joy thereof, goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

[2:29] The prospect before Jesus was grim. Rejection, suffering, a cross. Not exactly the traditional bride price.

[2:40] And yet for Jesus, he willingly walked into self-sacrifice for the price of his bride. There was no cost too high, and no price not paid, to secure the bride of the Son of God.

[2:54] Who was this bride, that such a price must be paid? Surely she must have been of exquisite character and beauty. 1 Corinthians 1, 26 and 27 For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, but God has chosen the foolish things of the world.

[3:20] Romans 5, 10 The bride had no inherent value.

[3:36] However, the price the bridegroom was willing to pay for her gave her not only value, but eternal worth. Through the self-sacrifice of the Son, the bride became a glorious and desirable companion for the Son of God.

[3:52] Ephesians 2, 5 and 6 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are saved, and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

[4:06] Today, you and I have the privilege of being the bride of Christ. We sit enthroned in the heavens, clothed in righteousness, because of the great self-sacrifice of love that Jesus was willing to make on our behalf.

[4:25] Ephesians 5, 27 Father, who would have ever sought out such a bride for his Son?

[4:43] Only an infinitely loving God who knew what the sacrifice of the Son could do for the bride. Thank you for seeking and saving us, the most miserable of creatures, that you might show your love and grace by making us into your Son's glorious bride.

[5:01] May we live worthy of such an honor. Amen. Amen.

[5:37] Amen. Amen.

[5:47] Amen. Amen. Amen.