Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: Luke 14:25-26 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Observation: Luke is often considered the most ‘inclusive’ gospel. Yet clearly the price of discipleship is still quite high.
Application: We don’t always know how much things are really going to cost. Unforeseen expenses often crop up, whether in terms of time, reputation, or money. Sometimes we are prepared to face these costs; other times not.
Jesus, upon having the crowd’s expressed devotion, now lays out the costs involved in following him.
Mighty steep the costs indeed! Who can afford it?
On the one hand, no one. On the other hand, we can’t afford not to follow Jesus.
Here’s the deal. The goal is not so much to cherish life, but to cherish the author and giver of life. The apostle Paul once said that if for this life only we have hoped, we are of all people most to be pitied. Better to place our hope in the one who, when we need our life back again, can deliver.
Prayer: Lord, help us to focus ultimately and only on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Genesis 34-36 and Luke 14)
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