27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you,30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (Luke 14:27-33, New International Version)
Theme: Discipleship
Context:
Thank you for your thoughtful comments yesterday! You effectively demonstrated how Bible study can resolve potentially confusing passages. We will continue our examination of biblical support for Rowan Williams’ claim that that staying with/abiding in Jesus is a defining identity trait of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus makes another demand of His disciples, which is related to the demand we considered yesterday. He calls for the counting and acceptance of the costs of following Him. Like the precondition we considered yesterday, the precondition to count and accept the cost of discipleship courts controversy because it could be misinterpreted as being in conflict with grace. Since we are saved by grace through faith as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8 – 10), why should we entertain discussions about the cost of discipleship? As always, Bible study is necessary to resolve this paradox. The Bible reveals that grace is free, and the Bible also reveals that it cost Jesus everything. How then could disciples of Jesus not consider the cost of following Jesus? “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor and theologian who was executed for his opposition to Hitler’s Nazi regime, addressed the issue of grace and the cost of discipleship in his book, The Cost of Discipleship. He considered any form of grace that turned a blind eye to the cost of discipleship as “cheap grace.” Below are a few quotes from Bonhoeffer:
- “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
- “Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has.”
- “Happy are they who know that discipleship means the life which springs from grace, and that grace simply means discipleship.”
Bible Passage:
Today’s Scripture passage is a continuation of the one we considered yesterday. Observe the crowds and Jesus again today and prayerfully consider the question below.
Question:
Consider the reaction of crowds to Jesus in the later stages of His earthly ministry. What instance(s) would you refer to as evidence that Jesus was right to challenge the crowds about the cost of following him?
Sharing your thoughts could be a big help to someone else. Please leave a comment on the blog.
February 27, 2024 at 5:11 am
From Hosanna to a kiss. I think of the crowd waving palm branches to celebrate the Messiah that became the mob who accompanied Judas as he delivered the kiss of betrayal.
There is a cost to one’s individual action that fuels a crowd. Whether positive or negative, the individual has a value that contributes to the collective. So if I think of cost in that way it gives me a different and interesting perspective to dig into. I’ll do that throughout the day 🙂
February 27, 2024 at 6:55 am
Matthew 8:18-22 the crowds were around Jesus and some wanted to follow Jesus and He told them “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” The cost of following Jesus requires everything, all I have, or all I think I have — all of my trust. In reality what do I have that God did not give me?
February 27, 2024 at 6:55 am
Jesus wanted the people to know the magnitude of discipleship – the length and breadth of the commitment to run the race. I think it was only fair of Jesus to challenge the crowd because he is a honest man and always tells the truth. If people do not count the cost they could become quickly discouraged walk when difficulty and hardship arise and turn back from discipleship. Jesus wanted people to know discipleship required sacrifice because people have the right to make an informed choice.
February 27, 2024 at 7:00 am
Jesus was right to challenge the crowds. He wanted to give people a chance to realize it may not be easy to be a disciple, and they had a chance to look within themselves to determine whether they were willing to give some things and some people up in order to follow Him.
In the end, even some of his disciples denied and betrayed him.
February 27, 2024 at 7:07 am
When Jesus turned one fish and bread to plenty, enough to feed thousands of people. Miracles Jesus performed in the past was one of the instances that show his power and draw people to Him. This was a challenge for people to put faith and follow Jesus. Some would believe and trust Jesus, others would forget it later and would keep on asking for more miracles. This is so true to this day.
February 27, 2024 at 9:27 am
The following is Jesus’ reply to a young man who, after stating thay he had kept all the commandments, asked what should he do to enter the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.(Matthew 19:21)
Trying to fully understand, together with the above, and other similar scripture, that we are saved by grace through faith and not works. It is the gift of God. ( from Ephesians 2: 8&9)
February 27, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Toni – I can relate to your comment about “trying to fully understand.” Like Anselm of Canterbury, we are on this journey of “faith seeking understanding.” As I think about grace and the cost of discipleship, I am reminded that our encounter with saving grace is through faith; and I believe I can benefit from understanding more deeply how God enables faith. “…but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26b)