We all know these words, right? The famous words Jesus spoke to the crowd: “If you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). It’s worded a little different in the other gospels, but this morning I was reflecting on the context in Luke 14. Jesus likened being a true disciple to a builder and a king. The builder would count the cost before a project – do I have enough money and resources to finish it? And a king would count the cost before going to war – do I have enough men to fight this war and win? I think what Jesus was asking the crowd is this… Have you counted the cost of what it means to follow Me? Because it’s steep. It’s expensive. It will take everything you have.
All this came to a head in John 6. Jesus had just healed 5,000 people on a mountainside and the people left their homes to follow Him. But He noticed they were following Him for what He could do for them and to see the miracles He was performing. What He really wanted, though, was for them to follow Him for WHO He was… the Messiah, the One full of grace and truth, and the One who came to deliver them from their sins. Seeing all this, He spoke into the crowd. He told them of the cost of following Him… they must eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood (John 6:53). This was a theme of Jesus’ teaching on multiple occasions… they must give up their life if they want to be a TRUE disciple.
So, the question for us is… Have you counted the cost before following Jesus? In other words, are you following for the right reasons? Are you following the way He mandated for us to follow? Before we say we’re a disciple and a follower, we must examine the cost first. Why is that? Because the price is hefty. In fact, it WILL cost us everything… it will cost us our will, our desires, our plans, our affections, our opinions, our heart. It will cost us our life. Jesus wants ALL of us, He wants us to jump ALL in. With that said, I believe many Christians want the benefits of what Jesus offers – eternal security, heavenly blessings, a place to belong, a place of refuge, a family, and assurance. But as Jesus looks into their hearts, He may say to them… you are not really MY disciples. You are following for the wrong reasons. You haven’t counted the cost before agreeing to follow Me.
Is your YES on the table? Yes to whatever He asks! Yes to His ways! Yes to His Word! Have you realized yet that Jesus wants the greatest gift you and I can offer? And what is that gift? It’s our lives. He wants US. ALL of us. Here’s the thing… the cost may be steep, but it will be worth it. There’s nothing in this life that compares to being a true disciple of Jesus. Don’t you agree? Today, focus on the whole context of Luke 14:27. Take in the whole thing. And then ponder what it means to count the cost.