As a preacher, I was interested in increasing church attendance and hoping for more people to hear the sermons I delivered.
Like many of my friends, I fell into the trap of measuring success by “nickels and noses”—the size of the congregation and the amount of the offering.
However, Jesus appeared to take a different approach. On his journey to Jerusalem, he often said things that likely discouraged people from following him rather than attracting larger crowds.
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” (Luke 14.25-27).
We may feel put off by Jesus’ words about hating our family members. However, it is likely that the crowd in his day was even more disturbed by his mention of the cross.
At that time, the word “cross” carried a shocking and deeply offensive connotation, akin to the most profane words one could utter.
There was a time when a slave rebellion erupted simply because one slave turned to another and said, “You ought to be put on a cross.” This incident illustrates just how powerful and shocking Jesus’ words must have been to the crowd following him.
Count the Cost
To emphasize the importance of counting the cost of following Him, Jesus told parables about a man planning to build a tower and a king preparing for war.
“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?
Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?
If he cannot, then while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace” (Luke 14.28-32).
While driving to downtown Kansas City, I noticed two unfinished, empty apartment buildings that have remained that way for years. It made me think they should have planned more carefully and counted the cost before starting their project—just as Jesus advised.
Nearly three years ago, Vladimir Putin launched what he believed would be a quick, three-day takeover of Ukraine. Now, after three years, the loss of over 700,000 soldiers, countless military vehicles, and a devastated economy, it seems he might have benefited from following Jesus’ advice to count the cost before embarking on such an endeavor.
It is wise for us to count the cost as we profess our faith in Jesus and commit to being his disciples. Jesus teaches that true disciples are those willing to deny themselves and follow him.
Interestingly, rather than focusing on the big issues of denial He outlined to His followers, the key takeaway from this parable is the need to reject the hold that possessions have on our lives.
“So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions” (Luke 14.33).
Jesus has an extraordinary ability to pinpoint the issues that prevent us from fully following Him. Whether it’s devotion to family, self-love, or attachment to possessions, any of these can become obstacles in our commitment to Him.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 