The cost of discipleship

Luke 14:25-35
by Brian Knitter

Does following Jesus have a downside? The short-term (earthly) answer might be yes! Following Jesus will put our desires at odds with what Jesus requires. Jesus addresses this in today’s scripture, but also hints at the long-term upside.

I was intrigued by what Jesus said in today’s passage. Who builds a building first without looking at the cost to build that building? Only a fool would run out of funds and leave the structure half-finished. How true, yet Jesus was talking about our lives as Christians, not buildings.
Have you calculated the cost of discipleship? Jesus said that you must put you and your family in second place to make Him first in your life (that’s what all that “hate” stuff is about in verse 26 — Jesus is not saying that to follow Him you must hate yourself and your family, just love Jesus more.). Are you ready to do that? Are you ready to take up your cross (die or be persecuted) for Him? Jesus makes it very clear that if you are not fully committed to Him, you are like salt that has lost its saltiness; that is, worthless. No one wants to be that; and no one can achieve the obedience that Christ requires. So what’s a person to do? That’s why Jesus had to die for us — because of our flaws, and our inability to succeed in obedience. He alone can help us.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Eph 2:8). Christ died for our shortcomings, yet Christ also calls us to follow Him and be obedient to Him, even unto death. Jesus never promised that His followers would live stress-free lives on earth. He did promise a heavenly reward to the faithful however. Thank God that He guides us and cares for us in this our life’s mission. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” (Phil 1:6b) Remember the cost of building that building? It’s our job to start building and live our lives for Christ! Christ has already paid the cost. It’s our job to be thankful, obedient workers because of what He has already done.