Luke 14:25-28: Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?
Saying yes to Jesus, confessing Him as our Lord and Savior comes easy but the reality in our personal commitment to His Love demands as illustrated in our reference scripture for today can be a hard pill to swallow.
It is easy to say God is good when life is rosy and we are enjoying the comradeship that godly communities provide.
However, one’s true commitment to Christ is revealed during times of trials and challenges.
A private silent Christian who does not express his belief in Christ with others may not face any challenges. When on the other hand you are passionate to draw others to Christ, you will face hostilities.
To count the cost is to be willing to please Christ over family, friends, and acquaintances.
Counting the cost is the readiness if necessary to deny yourself, family or friends as a price to your loyalty to Christ. It is also when you step out from the multitude and come ALONE. Leaving ALL to follow Christ and staying through in spite of being despised by others who think you have lost your mind.
This sounds tough because no one wants to lose the seen for the unseen, but Christ made it clear to the multitudes that sought His attention during His ministry on earth, ‘if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple’.
Take a moment and reflect today about your commitment to Jesus. Decide to follow Him not matter what it would cost you. Trust Him for grace to uphold you even in the most difficult of times. He has the word of eternal life and is able to keep you safe in this journey worth taking with Him.
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus. Help me learn to seek your helping hands in those moments when my decision to follow and serve you demands sacrifice of any kind. Help me to absolutely surrender to you no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name. Amen.