The Cost Of Discipleship

-April 5, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’”

(Luke 9:61-62).

Jesus spelled out the terms of discipleship in no uncertain terms. Salvation was costly to Christ, He gave His life for us that we may forgiven and have eternal life, but it is free to us by grace through faith.

Discipleship on the other hand, costs us everything, nothing less will do. as Jesus was on the road to Jerusalem and his crucifixion at Calvary, there was a conversation about discipleship between our Lord Jesus and three men, would be disciples. The first man started the conversation by making a bold, decisive declaration, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go” (Luke 9:57).

Jesus saw right into his heart. He wanted him to understand what that commitment entailed, Jesus said, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). Most recruiters wouldn’t employ such a strategy to sign up volunteers or even paid laborers. Jesus needed to make the terms crystal clear for him and for everyone.

To the second man, Jesus simply said, ‘Follow Me’ but though he seemed willing he added the caveat, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ This was an excuse that Jesus saw right through. He told him, “let the dead bury their own dead, you come and follow Me.”

The third man also said he would follow the Lord, but he asked to first go and bid farewell to those at his house. The “me first” mentality that is so prevalent in the world will never work in true discipleship. It must be Jesus first, everything and everyone else last. In fact, true joy flows from this priority in our lives.

I love the acronym I heard years ago: J-O-Y (Jesus first, others second, yourself last). Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “…If anyone desires to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

The hymn writer William K. Bream wrote, “What will it cost me to follow the Lord? What is the price of a life that’s restored? If I am willing to walk in His way, what is the price I must pay? Everything! Everything! All that I own. Everything! Everything! All that I am. Everything! Everything! All that I love, that is the price I must pay, that is the price I will pay.”

Have a blessed day following Jesus, putting Him and His kingdom first. Stay safe and healthy.

Jesus first, Jesus only, Jesus always,

Dean