January 25
Text: Luke 9:57-62
In Luke 9:57-62, we have a record of the responses of three people who had to make a decision concerning Jesus. In each case, there were obstacles. In the first, the man had not considered the cost of discipleship. When led of the Spirit to become a disciple of Jesus, he readily agreed and proclaimed to the Lord, “Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Jesus, knowing his heart, answered him thus, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Jesus’ point was not that He didn’t have a home to call His own, but rather that the man had not completely considered the cost of becoming a disciple. Jesus wanted to ensure this potential follower knew what was ahead.
Jesus’ teaching on this subject is very clear. The cost of becoming a disciple is dear. Consider the following Scriptures:
Luke 14:25-33 “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth ambassadors, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
The point here is very clear. In verse 33, becoming my disciple will cost you everything.
Why would Jesus paint such a gloomy picture for potential followers? It is as if He were trying to actually drive people away. John the Baptist gave us some insight when he said that Jesus would baptize “with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Fire is cleansing and purifying. It is Jesus’ intention that our faith be tried in the fire, to see what sort it is. The fire burns away the trash and leaves the pure gold.
I’m concerned that too many of us are disciples in word only. We have confessed Christ as our Savior. We come to church. We may even serve in some leadership role. But we have never surrendered everything to Jesus. As a result, we live the life of a nominal Christian, powerless and frustrated.
Would you like to really walk with Jesus? Know the power and working of the Holy Spirit in your life? Be used of God in the here and now? Then determine in your heart that you will pay the price. Confess your sin and decide that you will follow Him, no matter what. Then simply begin to obey. For those who truly follow Him, the sacrifice will be forgotten in the sheer joy of being in His presence.
Today, pray that He will give you the grace to truly follow Him.
