When world-renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti was a youth, he became the pupil of a professional tenor in Italy. Later, he studied music education in college. Upon graduating, he asked his father, “Shall I be a teacher or a singer?”
“Luciano,” his father replied, “if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.”
In Luke 14:25-35, Jesus presented a similar message to a large crowd of people who were following Him. His “sermon” made it clear that He wanted single-minded commitment. He wanted men and women who had truly counted the cost of discipleship and were prepared to follow Him. So He listed the demands (vv.26-27), decisions (vv.28-33), and distinctiveness (vv.34-35) of discipleship.
In His message, Jesus gave illustrations of two people who start a project without counting the cost. The consequences of failing to do so include shame and humiliation.
While counting the cost implies that time and thought are required when one considers becoming a disciple of Jesus, no one has the resources to follow Him on his or her own. He gives us what we need to follow Him. Counting the cost, therefore, is not about evaluating whether we have what it takes to do what He commands; rather, it indicates a real commitment to let go of anything that could come between Jesus and us. We must choose to place Him before family and possessions, and to take up our cross daily. We are then freed to follow Him fully in complete allegiance and dependence.
It’s been said that there are only two ways to take a thing seriously—either reject it or risk everything for it. Discipleship begins by recognizing the high price required, and—without reserve—casting ourselves upon the sustaining grace and strength found in Jesus alone.
More:
For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ (Philippians 3:8).
Next:
What are the costs of being freed to follow Jesus fully? How does He provide what we need to make surrender to Him a reality?
bethanyF on March 31, 2010 at 5:14 am
The Lord provides what we need through His love and the Holy Spirit. I know the Lord will provide for me.
Major_bedhead on March 31, 2010 at 6:05 am
I think that the NLT translation nails the intensity of the point that Christ is trying to make here.
“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison…”
Obviously Christ isn’t promoting hate but the intensity of nothing before Him gets made. It shook me a little and that’s a good thing!
Ese on March 31, 2010 at 9:18 am
“It’s been said that there are only two ways to take a thing seriously—either reject it or risk everything for it.” This sentence reminds me of a management class I am taking in which we are told that managers need to be willing to take risks; the difference is when managers take risks, they gamble, never knowing which way the balance will tip. Isn’t it good to know that when we give all up for Jesus, we are ALWAYS on the winning end? There is no gamble there, just a sure knowledge that whatever comes our way, God is there and he holds us in his mighty hands! Makes me want to shout GLORY!
chewyjean on March 31, 2010 at 9:44 am
When I was a undergraduate business student, I learned the phrase “opportunity cost”. This can be stated as counting the cost. What would you be willing to give up or what would offer the most benefits if we give up something for something else. My point! Jesus said to take up your cross and follow him. Are we willing to leave behind money position power prestige to live eternally with Jesus? We cannot follow the world and Jesus both. We must hate (figuratively) one (world) and LOVE the other (Jesus). Are we more like the parable of the “rich young ruler” or are we more like Jesus’ disciples? Something to think about. Be blessed on today.
Soldier4Christ on March 31, 2010 at 11:55 am
I just want to thank and praise God that He does supply our every need and that if we are open to His leading that He will tell us and speak to us in ways that we can see, Oh, we do serve an awesome God.
Paul G on March 31, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I fear that often times in America we are choosing our sports, TV, hobbies and other entertainmnet pursuites and forgoing quality time with God. As disciples of Jesus we are called upon to give God first preference of all we have (time – talents – resources etc.) – our failure comes when we do not seek the kingdom of God FIRST.
lydimil on March 31, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Too many times we make a choice before counting the cost. If all choices were like choosing Jesus, then we would be fine. Asking for/getting/taking something before considering the consequences has affected our economy so. Those who purchased homes they knew they could not afford, cars they couldn’t put gas in and lifestyles they could not manage have devastated our country’s fiber and will take several years and a severe change of attitude to fix.