CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 782

“There is a Cost”

Luke 14:25 (ESV) Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “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.

—————————————————————————————-

Jesus had a way with words.  He knew what was in the heart of man and with laser-like precision He directed His questions and teaching to get right to the root issue.  Sometimes Jesus used extreme words to get His point across.  He talked about plucking out one’s own eye and cutting off one’s own arm and He said it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

In our reference Scripture there is a large crowd of people following Jesus.  As they walked along I imagine Jesus was aware of all of their individual thoughts and reasons for following Him.  Some were sincere disciples.  Others I am sure were only curious crowd followers hoping to see a miracle.  So Jesus turns and speaks to them in a manner that was sure to get their attention.

He sets the standard for discipleship as being a wholly undivided commitment to Him.  He tells them that they have to ‘hate’ all other relationships in comparison with their relationship with Him.  The word ‘hate’ seems hard, harsh and absolute.  In the original language it means to love someone or something less than someone else.  It means to renounce one choice in favor of another.

There is a cost associated with being a Christian.  Following Christ, being salt and light in the workplace and the unbelieving world will cost us certain relationships, habits and affinities. Are we willing to pay the price?

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. – Luke 14:27

What affinity, relationship, or desire has Jesus asked you to set aside in obedience to His call?  What is the cost of discipleship for you?  Are you refusing to pay the price and going away sad like the rich young ruler who loved his wealth more than he loved Jesus?

… any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33

Perhaps you are obedient in serving Christ but are harboring resentment for what it has cost you.

No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. – Luke 9:61

Following Christ requires a wholehearted, complete commitment to Him.  Matthew left his tax collection table and immediately followed Jesus in response to His call.  Peter and Andrew left their nets immediately and followed Him. We cannot be lukewarm about discipleship. Our Christian character must be evident 24/7.  We are disciples in Christian church circles and we remain disciples when we are in our workplaces and among the worldly.  Salt must remain salty.  The light of Christ must not be hidden in some contexts and allowed to shine in others.

May you willingly pay the cost in response to God’s call to follow Him.  May you experience the joy and peace of God as you serve Him with integrity in discipleship.