Scripture:
Luke 14:25-33 NKJV
[25] Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, [26] “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. [27] And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. [28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— [29] lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see 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, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. [33] So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Observation:
When Jesus spoke, people listened they knew what HE was going to say had impact. They wanted to follow HIM. HE had an extremely strong draw. But just like the story of the rich young ruler, some had not considered what it might cost them to follow HIM they gathered around HIM and walked with HIM, but they had not counted the cost. In verse 26 of chapter 14, Jesus wanted to make it clear. HE would have to be the most important thing in their life. The Bible says that GOD is a jealous GOD. HE does not want anything but HIM on the throne of your heart. It was honestly the first commandment. Verse 26 sounds real harsh when HE says,” You must hate your father and mother, wife, child brother and sister, yes even his own life.” I’m not trying to redefine the bible or explain away what is being said. But I do want to bring some light to it. I believe what is being said is that being a disciple of Jesus means your love for HIM must be the most important thing in your life. There is no second chair. HE may ask you to put down some people who are not good for you or a lifestyle that is hurting you, and you have to be willing. Without question. I have read and heard verse 27 spoken most of my life. Pick up your cross and follow. I hope I do it justice by my explanation. The cross is an instrument of death. A Roman device made for capital punishment. Designed to put people to death. So I believe that what is being said here by Jesus is put your flesh to death daily. Step away from the sin that so easily besets you. Or captures you and holds you captive. In verse 28, Jesus goes into HIS explanation as to why it’s so important to consider carefully the decision you are making when you choose to follow HIM. What HE is saying is you have to be all in. If you get halfway and HE asks you to do something that you are not willing to do and you turn back to your old ways. Because the cost was more than you were willing to pay. It’s not only going to leave you in a half-hearted attempt with a foundation that can’t be finished, but the kingdom will be affected as well. Giving two examples of this one of a man who is building a tower and one of a king who is going to war. Both people would sit down and carefully whether or not they would be able to compete with what they had set out to do with what they had. The man building the tower would consider his financial situation. The king going to war would consider the strength and ability of his army to fight. Either way, there is careful consideration taken.
Application:
These few verses always check my heart. I think about all the things that at different times I have been unwilling to lay down. I can be somewhat hard-headed. It took years of running away from a calling and becoming more and more entangled in a life that led to nothing but destruction. To be willing to lay everything down. When we choose to follow Jesus, we have to consider that it may cost everything we know and love. I remember a time I’m a discipleship program when I was faced with a decision. Accept the discipline that I deserve for stealing something or walk away from a life changing moment. GOD had been calling me for years, and I just kept running. This moment was no different. I was not willing. I had not carefully considered what it may cost to follow Jesus, and I left the program because of my pride. But GOD has such a wonderful way of wasting nothing. I was unwilling to miss my daughters birthday due to the discions I had made to steal. Left me running from GOD again. That item I took, my daughter, and my pride were more important than my relationship with Jesus at that time. However, HE used that situation to point out to me that. It was my problem. My selfish, self-centered life had to be laid down. Stealing could not be a part of the life of a blood-bought child of GOD. There had to be a change. Chasing after GOD had to be the most important thing in my life. Today, I can honestly say that GOD comes first. I do my absolute best to live according to what HIS word says, and when the Holy Spirit points something out that needs to change, I change it to the best of my ability. I know today my life is not my own. It has been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. It belongs to HIM. Where HE leads, I follow, and honestly, because of a willingness to lay down a life I thought I had to have. HE has given me a life beyond my wildest dreams. It takes one step in faith. Complete surrender is not an easy thing. But the throne of your heart only has room for one. That one must be Jesus. The question is, are you willing to follow HIM? What if HE asks you to walk away from what is most important to you? Are you willing to let it all go? The dusciples did. Everyone of them but John died a brutal death. Jesus was the most important thing in their life, and they were willing to die for HIM. Are you willing to set your flesh down? Are you willing to crucify it daily? I know it’s a heavy question. But it must be considered. You don’t want to get halfway down the road and find out that HE wants something you are unwilling to give. HE wants the throne of your heart. HE wants to be your everything, and when HE is your everything, there is nothing HE would not give to you that is good for you. When your heart desires HIS desires for you because you are pursuing HIM with all that is in you, HE will give them freely.
Prayer:
Father, you are the king of our hearts. We want what you want for us. We surrender to your will. We want more of you and less of us. Search us. We know that you know our hearts. Help us to learn in the least painful way possible. Open our eyes to the things that get in the way of our relationship with you. That is the most important thing in our lives. We lay our lives down and surrender our will. Knowing that your plan is good. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.