COUNTING THE COST

October 14 

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me  cannot be My disciple.  Luke 14:27

Shortly after feeding 5,000+ with five loaves and two fish, Jesus confronted the twelve with the high cost of discipleship.  “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23-26).  What does discipleship with Christ demand? 

Discipleship demands continual DENIAL of one’s self.  Jesus is now # 1, and we give up our right to being # 1.  “There are always two choices on the shelf: pleasing God or pleasing self.”  Discipleship also demands continual SACRIFICE of one’s life (take up your cross daily).  Taking up one’s cross is paying the cost of obedience wherever God places you.  After all Christ has done for us, it should be a pleasure, a joy and a privilege to obey Him!  Finally, discipleship demands continued ALLEGIANCE to Christ.  We follow Him wherever He leads, rain or shine, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, in winning or losing.  Once we put our hands to the plow, we don’t turn back.   

In Luke 14:28-30 Jesus challenges potential disciples to count the cost of being His disciples.  You don’t make a decision for Jesus and continue living the same!  Only you can determine whether truly following Jesus as He desires is worth the cost.  Don’t just be a fan of Jesus, but instead be His committed disciple.  Jesus said, “For whoever wishes to save his life (keep for himself) will lose it, but whoever loses (yields) his life for My sake will find (save) it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:25-26).  Is it worth trusting and following Jesus no matter what the cost?  You make the call! 

Bob Kulp