Luke 14:25-33 (NRSV)
Read Luke 14:25-33 on biblegateway.com
Verse 25Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, Verse 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. Verse 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Verse 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Verse 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, Verse 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Verse 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? Verse 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. Verse 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
Devotion
Engaged as college seniors, my wife and I planned to marry after graduation. Our parents gladly gave their blessing, but gently raised questions about our readiness. Had we considered the cost, both personal and financial?
In Luke 14, Jesus asks some eager followers if they had considered the cost of following Him. Like two people in love, they were enthusiastic about the journey, but hadn’t given much consideration to any personal cost. And yet, we soon learn that important matters are always costly.
All of which makes me wonder: where did we get the notion that the world or our culture should make it easy for us to follow Jesus? Why do we expect so much from the church and at the same time expect it will cost us so little?
Our Lord once again asks: Are we willing to let go of what is dearest to our hearts to follow Him?
Prayer
Dear Lord, maybe we didn’t count the costs before beginning our journey with you, but now that we’ve begun, help us face reality and not falter. Fill us with your spirit, that we will have strength and perseverance to faithfully follow you in the ways of peace and justice. In Jesus' name, Amen.