Cost of Discipleship

Read Deuteronomy 16

Read Luke 14

Jesus gives us a hard word today. It costs us much to be a disciple. When we are disciples, Jesus is Master and we are servants. We forsake all else and follow him. He comes before family, before riches, before all the rest of life. To be a disciple means to bear our cross. It means to follow him, to walk in his ways. To be a disciple is to pay a great price.

And Jesus is very clear that we should be aware of the cost, just like you would never start a building project or a war without first counting the cost. You would be foolish to rush into either one without a plan, a purpose, and a way to get the job done. So also, we should not be mistaken about how difficult it is to be a disciple. We should not be deceived and so think that we can be lazy. We cannot continue to indulge in the pleasures of this world either. Yes, we need to be aware of the cost.

But does it really cost us very much? What have we lost compared to what we have gained? We have lost something only temporary, we have gained eternal blessing. We disciples continue to shed this sin-fallen existence with all its entrapments and are continually remade the in image of Jesus and are receiving his eternity of life. What a gift it is that Jesus calls us his disciples! He calls us forgiven (for we so often fall on our faces in this life of discipleship), he calls us blessed, he calls us to heaven!

Thanks be to God.

Pray:

Consider Jesus difficult words about discipleship, then pray for the strength of the Holy Spirit, that you might live for God's glory. Then also thank him that though we live as imperfect disciples, He continually forgives us and calls us blessed.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!