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Counting the Cost: The True Commitment of Discipleship (Luke 14:25-35)

Have you ever considered the full cost of being a disciple of Jesus?

In Luke 14:25-35, Jesus challenges us to evaluate our priorities and make a wholehearted commitment to follow Him, placing Him above all else.

Key Verse: “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” – Luke 14:33 (NKJV)

Background Context: In Luke 14:25-35, Jesus addresses the large crowds following Him, clarifying the true demands of discipleship. He emphasizes the necessity of placing Him above all personal relationships and possessions. This passage highlights the importance of counting the cost and making a deliberate, informed commitment to follow Christ fully.

Luke 14:25-35

Discipleship Tested

     25Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, 26“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. 27“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29“Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 30saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31“Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32“Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.

      34“Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? 35“It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Reflection on Luke 14:25-35:

  • Prioritizing Jesus Above All: Jesus makes a striking statement about hating one’s family and even one’s own life to be His disciple (Luke 14:26). This hyperbolic language underscores the necessity of placing Jesus above all personal relationships and priorities. It is not a literal call to hate but a call to supreme loyalty and devotion to Christ.
  • Carrying the Cross: True discipleship involves carrying one’s own cross and following Jesus (Luke 14:27). This signifies a willingness to endure hardship, sacrifice, and even persecution for the sake of Christ.
  • Counting the Cost: Jesus illustrates the importance of counting the cost of discipleship with two parables: a man building a tower and a king going to war (Luke 14:28-32). Both parables highlight the need for careful consideration and preparation before embarking on a commitment. This teaches us to evaluate the demands of following Jesus and to commit wholeheartedly.
  • Total Commitment: Jesus concludes by stating that anyone who does not give up all possessions cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:33). This emphasizes the necessity of holding nothing back and prioritizing Christ above all material possessions. On the other hand, if we prioritize Christ first, then all other things will be added to us in the proper context and value, (Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.)
  • Salt and Its Value: Jesus compares His disciples to salt, which must maintain its distinctiveness to be valuable (Luke 14:34-35; Matthew 5:13). Disciples must retain their commitment and distinctiveness in the world, avoiding becoming like the non-believers by compromising their values and priorities.

Summary Key Points:

  • Supreme Loyalty to Christ: True discipleship requires placing Jesus above all personal relationships and possessions.
  • Willingness to Sacrifice: Following Jesus involves carrying our cross, symbolizing readiness to endure hardship and sacrifice.
  • Deliberate Commitment: We must count the cost of discipleship, understanding its demands and preparing to follow through.
  • Maintaining Distinctiveness: Disciples must retain their distinctiveness and commitment to Christ, avoiding compromise.

Application: Let us examine our priorities and ensure that Jesus holds the highest place in our lives. May we be willing to carry our cross, embracing the sacrifices and challenges of following Him. Let us count the cost and make a deliberate, informed commitment to discipleship, maintaining our distinctiveness and faithfulness in a world that often compromises values. By seeking first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33), we can trust that all other things will be added to us in their proper context and value.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the call to true discipleship. Help us to place Jesus above all else in our lives, willing to carry our cross and make the necessary sacrifices to follow Him. Teach us to count the cost and commit wholeheartedly, maintaining our distinctiveness and faithfulness. May we seek Your kingdom and righteousness first, trusting in Your provision for all our needs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.