Title: It's Gonna Cost You / Topic: Discipleship

Today’s Reading: Genesis 23; Genesis 24; Luke 9

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
59 He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."
62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Observation: I love the fact that Jesus doesn't mince words here. He doesn't soft-sell the requirements of true discipleship. He says if you want to follow me, it's gonna cost you.

Application: So often we are so desperate to get workers or volunteers or converts that we minimize the costs or avoid the subject altogether. Jesus is a great example of front-loading the discussion with the true costs of discipleship. Earlier in this same chapter he had plainly said this to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (vs. 26). We need to take a cue from Jesus. So many of those who we win without really disclosing the cost end up bailing out when the going gets tough.

Prayer: Lord, give us courage to speak the truth and faith to trust you to provide disciples willing to take up the challenge. Lord, give us the people we need. Give us the words to lead them to true discipleship.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.