One hundred thirty feet tall, the Christ the Redeemer statue rests atop Mt. Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A famous landmark in a city known for its sensuality, it stands in stark contrast to the offerings below. The etched nail prints on this gray, soapstone-covered statue are vivid reminders of how Jesus suffered so we might know freedom. His victory on the cross came at a great cost.

One of the greatest paradoxes of Scripture is that those who receive the free gift of salvation must count the cost of doing so. Jesus told His disciples that all were invited to follow Him, but not all were willing to pay the price (Luke 14:26-35). No one can earn salvation (Ephesians 2:8), because the blood of Christ is the only sufficient sacrifice for sin (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). So what is the price we must pay?

In his account of Christ’s ministry, John tells of the death of Lazarus. We feel the depth of grief experienced by Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, and Jesus as they stand at the tomb. Death—the end result of man’s original sin—is a bitter thing. But for Jesus, the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), death wasn’t the end. It was an opportunity for life. Lazarus couldn’t earn it, he couldn’t buy it. Resurrection, like redemption, is a gift. Taking hold of it, though, means letting go of everything else.

Lazarus’ miraculous return to life didn’t sit well with the Pharisees. In like manner, the new life we have in Christ doesn’t mesh with the world or the desires of our flesh. Something must die. Either we crucify what cannot sustain us in order to truly live in Christ (Galatians 2:20), or we remain in death in order to hold on to what will eventually destroy us (Romans 7:5).