The Cost Of Christ

Serving the Beloved will cost you. 

It will cost you things that you never expected. It will cost you in ways that you never anticipated. Our Lord lays out his requirements for discipleship very plainly at Luke Chapter 14, concluding His teachings with, “…those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” 

I remember the first time I read those words, I thought to myself, “Surely not?” It seemed so extreme. Way too extreme to be said by the Jesus I grew up hearing about. But until we realize how extreme our brokenness is, until we realize just how extreme the gulf is between us and the fullness of God’s holiness, we will never understand why Jesus said this. We will never understand what Jesus meant when He said, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Sometimes, all there is to do, is just hang on your cross and die. Gasp after excruciating gasp, die to sentiment, to nostalgia, to what may have been. Die to being seen by men, being honored by men, and being acknowledged by men. Die to all your good plans in Jesus’ name. Die to measurable results. Die to being understood. And die to validation. 

To die like Jesus. Because Jesus paid it all to save us— it cost Him everything. 

(Luke 6:39,40) Now He also spoke a parable to them: “A person who is blind cannot guide another who is blind, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, and everyone fully trained will be like his teacher.”

(1 Cor 6:19,20) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

(Rom 8:5) Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 

(Col 3:1-3) Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.