What price, eternity?

What's the price tag for eternity? It cost someone His life so I can have it. Will it cost me that that someone else may too?

Two female Korean hostages have been released by the Taliban "as a gesture of goodwill". The footage of their emotional interview on a hospital bed touched my heart deeply. My heart skipped a beat when one of them disclosed the fact that a particular female hostage volunteered to remain behind so that the two of them can be released. She only had one request - that she may write a letter to her family c/o the two going home. Did she know what she was doing?? She obviously did. She purchased freedom with her life. There's no certainty she'll get to see her family again.

The next footage was heart wrenching. Her mother read her letter, her first and only contact with her daughter. She said it felt like she was "seeing her". Did she blame her daughter for her 'foolishness'? Did she graciously welcome the two who were sent home in exchange for her own?

I broke down when I watched the news footage weeks ago of the second victim's body being recovered from where he was shot. 11 shots. I could only see his soles. The body was wrapped. My mind knows where his soul rests, but my heart was aching for his family. Both his physical and spiritual ones. And in that moment, I experienced a new connection to the Body of Christ.

They went on a mission of mercy and love. But their reception was merciless. Like the Saviour's journey.