3 Costs of Following Jesus

“There are a million things a man won’t do for five dollars—but there aren’t five things a man won’t do for a million.” from The Curious Savage

The Curious Savage is a funny play about how greed makes us crazy. I was recently a cast member in a local production of this comedy. This line sparked some interesting conversations among the cast about the things we are willing to do or not do for money. Of course, my mind goes about ten different ways concerning money, costs, price, worth, value, etc…it has become a filter of sorts over the past few weeks.

Today I was challenged by something Jesus said—as usual. In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus addresses three different people about discipleship. As I was reading I saw three different costs when we choose to follow Jesus.

1. Following Jesus Costs Us Ideal Comforts

   Someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (vss 57-58)

   The question burning in my heart is at what cost will I follow Jesus anywhere he     goes? That question is followed by all kinds of other questions: Am I willing to sell     all my ideal things and live with my parents—again? Am I willing to uproot my life and start over somewhere else—leaving behind some ideal desires? Am I willing to remarry and give up some ideal freedom? Am I willing to stay single and give up the ideal dream of marriage?

   I think an honest evaluation is that I will follow the Lord most places or         eventually. My track record shows I have a breaking point, and I often trust my     own instincts before his leading. I’m thankful for the mercy and grace of God that remains with me as I meander around and question everything. But, I am also thankful for God’s jealous love and fire that makes me want to immediately follow him and to follow him everywhere.

2. Following Jesus Costs Us Our Current Life

   To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (vss 59-60)

   When we follow Jesus his priorities become our priorities. His love, faithfulness, redemption…the gospel…is priority in all things. I think Matthew 6:33 speaks to this: Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. All these things are our needs and desires. I find it hard to let go of my needs at times, but he is a good shepherd and attends to those things.

   Wanting all these things is not bad. It’s more about how, when Jesus is first, everything else lines up in its rightful place. It’s about trusting that he will add what is necessary, and, also, trusting him when he doesn’t add those things that we think are needed.

3. Following Jesus Costs Us What is Familiar

   Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hands to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. (vss 61-62)

   I love how Jesus addressed the issue of no looking back. When I sense Jesus leading in a new direction or transition, hundreds of questions pop-up about all the things surrounding me. What about Winter? What about my lease? What about my job? Again, it’s not that those things are bad, it’s that Jesus is taking steps forward and is not stuck in my current situation. As followers of Christ we have to be willing to step with him and not look back.

   Graham Cooke teaches about how God is present/future minded. If he is leading us then he calls to us from the future (or ahead of us). God calls us out of our present into what he has already set in motion. A follower doesn’t look back to follow. We step into the way that God has already paved.

Okay, so maybe all these costs are bumming you out. The nitty-gritty details of discipleship are not always pleasant. My friend pointed out that Jesus sends out his followers as lambs among the wolves in the very next chapter (Luke 10). That is definitely not ideal. We give up our life and carry his life. But, Jesus’ life—what compares? As we consider the costs of following Jesus, let’s also consider his promises. Here are a couple to get you started: He is before all things and he holds everything together, everything exists through him and from him (Colossians 1). A day with Jesus is better than a thousand anywhere else (Psalm 84).

What other promises of God keep you following?