The Cost of Discipleship: Luke 9:57-62
“57) As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58) And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59) And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 60) But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 61) Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62) But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:57-62
There is a cost to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. It means we put Jesus and spreading the kingdom above all other priorities in life.
It will involve sacrifices in the way we live. House and home will be secondary to Jesus and His kingdom. Caring for aging parents will be secondary to Jesus and spreading the gospel of the kingdom. Family and friends will be secondary to Jesus and kingdom living. .
Following and obeying Jesus must become first place above all else. It means we must seek first Jesus and His kingdom above everything and everyone. In return He gives true life.
Many start plowing only to discover that ministry and walking in the foot prints of Jesus is hard work. Distractions pop up everywhere. Excuses abound. Satan will test your resolve.
Living a kingdom calling takes devotion, focus and self discipline. You will be misunderstood, ridiculed and maligned. Initially people will criticize you and say you are wasting your life. But what you gain in your journey will be far more than your sacrifice.
The glory, power and wonder of walking with Jesus surpasses anything the world has to offer. Knowing Jesus, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering is a surpassing value. (See the testimony of Paul In Philippians 3:7-16)
Once you taste the goodness of God and experience His presence in the Spirit, nothing the world has to offer comes close to comparing. Soon your old life will seem boring, mundane and empty. Like Peter, you might go back to your nets and fish all night but come up empty.
As we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. Shortly, Psalm 91 will become your story. The whole chapter is amazing. It starts by saying; ““He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Nothing compares to abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Nothing compared walking with God and living in the Spirit. No earthly treasure or pleasure comes close.
I am not talking about mere religion or extreme legalism. When Paul met Jesus he was delivered from the bondage of religion. It was exchanged for intimacy with God. There is a huge difference! Jesus invites into His presence and glory.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“57) As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58) And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59) And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 60) But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 61) Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62) But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:57-62
There is a cost to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. It means we put Jesus and spreading the kingdom above all other priorities in life.
It will involve sacrifices in the way we live. House and home will be secondary to Jesus and His kingdom. Caring for aging parents will be secondary to Jesus and spreading the gospel of the kingdom. Family and friends will be secondary to Jesus and kingdom living. .
Following and obeying Jesus must become first place above all else. It means we must seek first Jesus and His kingdom above everything and everyone. In return He gives true life.
Many start plowing only to discover that ministry and walking in the foot prints of Jesus is hard work. Distractions pop up everywhere. Excuses abound. Satan will test your resolve.
Living a kingdom calling takes devotion, focus and self discipline. You will be misunderstood, ridiculed and maligned. Initially people will criticize you and say you are wasting your life. But what you gain in your journey will be far more than your sacrifice.
The glory, power and wonder of walking with Jesus surpasses anything the world has to offer. Knowing Jesus, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering is a surpassing value. (See the testimony of Paul In Philippians 3:7-16)
Once you taste the goodness of God and experience His presence in the Spirit, nothing the world has to offer comes close to comparing. Soon your old life will seem boring, mundane and empty. Like Peter, you might go back to your nets and fish all night but come up empty.
As we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. Shortly, Psalm 91 will become your story. The whole chapter is amazing. It starts by saying; ““He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Nothing compares to abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Nothing compared walking with God and living in the Spirit. No earthly treasure or pleasure comes close.
I am not talking about mere religion or extreme legalism. When Paul met Jesus he was delivered from the bondage of religion. It was exchanged for intimacy with God. There is a huge difference! Jesus invites into His presence and glory.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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