he Cost of discipleship.      Luke 14v 25-43.

 

When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he knew he was on the way to the Cross; the crowds with him thought he was on his way to build an empire. This made him tell the people in the most vivid possible way that any man who followed him would not be on the way to power and glory, but would be ready to give a loyalty which would sacrifice things of the dearest kind, and for a suffering which would be like the agony of a man on the cross.   We should not take the words of Jesus coldly. 

Eastern language can be as vivid as the person speaking .You can be a follower of Jesus without becoming a disciple. You have to take the words of Jesus in a cold unimaginative way. When he tells us we must hate our nearest and dearest, he does not mean that literally, he means that no love in life should be greater than the love we have for him.

But it is possible to be a follower of Jesus without being a disciple; to be someone

Who lingers on at his place of work without pulling his weight. A man was telling his tutor friend about another man he knew, who said he had been  one of his students. The tutor said he remembered the man who attended his lectures, but was not a student.

There is a world of difference between being present as a hanger-on and a worker. The supreme handicap of the Church is that so many people use the Church for their own purpose and are not even distant followers of Jesus, yet call themselves as Christians. If all the people who attend Church for baptisms fulfilled the promises they made, we would be building more Churches.

It is a Christian’s first duty to count the cost of following Christ.  If you went looking for some item for your home you know a price has to be paid, and when you see what you are looking for your first thought is, how much will it cost? If it is within  the price you imagined, you would be right in accepting, but if you thought it to be too costly, you would not bother further.

The passage gives an example of a man who plans to build a tower, probably for a vineyard, which were fitted with towers for watchmen to keep look out for thieves

There is a need for him to count the cost, for if he did not have enough cash to finish he would be mocked and be humiliated.

Likewise, a leader of an Army would be unwise to attack another Army, without first comparing his force against his opponent until finding out and comparing the situation.

When a marriage is being held, the Minister states what marriage is. and the states, ‘it is not therefore to be entered lightly or unadvisedly, but fully and, thoughtfully in the fear of God. First, a man And a woman must count the cost

It is so with Christian way.  But if a person is daunted by the demands of Christ, remember they are not left to fulfil them alone. He who helped them to  the steep road will walk ever yard of the way and will be at the Church to meet them.

There are things we can learn from this passage, that true Christians must be prepared to give up, perhaps some activity or friends who are too worldly, for the sake of Christ.  Jesus speaks in very remarkable language, which should  be interpreted with some qualifications. The Bible does not come out, with parts  contradicting other parts, and by doing so contradict some of our Lord’s teaching.

He did not intend us to hate our closest relatives, for that could be against the fifth commandment, he only meant that those who follow him must love him as deeply He did not intend to portray Christianity as an essential part in a human quarrel, he did mean if the opinions of relatives and his teaching differ, we must choose to follow him, bearing in mind he died on the Cross for our forgiveness of our sins.

This has been torment for some women. I have had women ask me not to make visible contact with them, because their husbands did not know they attended Church.  One wife was told by her husband she had to choose. The Church, or he would go with the children,  Ungodly fathers forbidding their children attend Church.

When we make a decision to follow Jesus and accept him as Savior, we are committing ourselves to obey his teaching, which includes a moral, ethical way as well as a spiritual one. This means abandoning certain lifestyles, and a lot of people are not prepared to do that; they want to carry on as they have been doing.

It is a Christian's first duty to count the cost of following Jesus, and should not be taken lightly, but show reverence for God. Many people who attended the great evangelical Crusades of Billy Graham, inspired by the singing of massed choirs, tuneful hymns, and preaching by the greatest preacher in Christian history. When they returned to parish Churches there was such a contrast, their faith had not been strong enough to, instead of giving up on hearing dreary chants and poor preaching, often of a false nature, they should have stood firm and tried to influence services.

If you desire to follow Jesus, be sure you know what it means, with discipleship of hostility and sacrifice. We can never know or anticipate our future, so should in the hope of future salvation, make sure we be on the Lord’s side.

Life can be hard and short for some, and when someone we love dies, believe me, the consequence for the bereaved is desolate and lonesome, as we know we will never see that dear one again in this world. Friends we once had make a sudden exit, but Jesus is saying he will in either in this life or the next, he will be with us.

There are times when family members fall out, especially  when one member pursues a commitment to follow Christ. In such cases the Christian must stand firm in faithfulness and belief. There should not be any long term enmity, perhaps with gentle persuasion, a compromise may be obtained, Christianity has not been spread by aggression, as Paul pointed out to Timothy

I know through experience, that parents can be rather severe in their attitudes to children, who wish to attend Church. The only way to overcome is to pray for help from God insisting to parents that you don't want to do anything to offend, and that there are far more many other things that are harmful.

I have witnessed total and uncompromising resistance towards wives by aggravated husbands, which causes distress to their wives, and to those who witness such determined bullying. Instead of remembering wedding vows, and being understanding and tolerant to those they are supposed to show love and care for , they display contempt .

I have seen women who attended Church just for a worshipping service, without any further involvement, be threatened. One such man gave an ultimatum to a lovley lady, who was generally liked, that it was either the Church or him, and he would leave with the children. Imagine the horror and terror of that woman. I imagine some wives may object to husbands attending, although I have not personally known of any. In either case, things get painful, and true love can never be present in such instances. Those of us who do not have that problem, should thank God for his blessing upon us ,and to those also who have to suffer marital disturbance.

I often wonder what Jesus would say to his Church today. Could you foresee Jesus being happy when Ministers of the Church give false teaching, especially on immorality; teaching that tells people to follow their desires, for God will forgive ; when congregations are told by Church leaders not to attend meetings, because the evangelical preacher is a hate speaker, who says marriage is only between a man and woman. How wonderful if all preachers and speakers spoke with one voice, and kept to God's teaching in the Bible. When there would be no controversies over social or ethical matters as well as spiritual issues; where preachers would not re-interpret the Bible in passages which offended the weak minded. Christianity demands faithfulness, belief based on sound doctrine, convictions which strengthen others

Let us learn from this passage, that there are many people who claim to follow Jesus, but they are not real followers. There is a massive difference between those who attend services, and being a real Christian. It has been a supreme handicap that in the Church there are so many distant followers.

 

May God inspire us to be true Christians and may His Holy Name be  praised

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