Devotional:Count the Cost: Luke 14:25-35

“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it” (Lk. 14:28, NASB).

I am standing in line behind a customer at the checkout in the grocery store. After the clerk rings up several items in the customer’s basket I see the customer begin to give certain items back to the clerk. The customer does not have enough money to purchase all the items that they have put into their basket. I do not know if the customer has picked up items that they need or simply items that they want. What is apparent to me is that the customer has not adequately counted the cost of all the items in the basket.

Jesus is a popular figure. Large crowds follow Him. Each person has their own reason for following Him. Some enjoy seeing Him perform miracles of healing and restoring people back to good health. Some are encouraged by His words. He tells them that although the religious leaders may have written them off, He comes with the good news that God loves all people. Jesus does not charge a fee for people to be in a crowd to see Him put on a performance. Some want to be one of His disciples. They want to learn from Him, enjoy the blessing of being with Him. They want to follow Him. The same is true of people today.

If we want to be a follower of Jesus we must take into account the cost of following Him. There are people that have their own idea about what is a fair price in order to follow Jesus. Some pay their tithes. Some join ministry teams. Some use their gifts such as singing and dancing. Jesus warns us that we cannot determine the right price of being one of His disciples. In many cases that which we want to pay is unacceptable to Jesus. Some are trying to use foreign currency that cannot be spent. Jesus determines the price and the currency.

Jesus begins to tell those in the crowd the cost of following Him. The price includes giving Jesus priority of our family members, those that we love most. There is a cross that must be carried. Jesus says that no one else can carry our cross. We cannot hire someone to carry our cross for us. No, each of us has our own cross to carry. In Luke 9:23 Jesus makes it clear that being a disciple is a daily walk. He says, “‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me’” (Lk. 9:23). Now, these are the words (in part) of an old hymn that was very popular when I was a child:

Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it Jesus if you please.

Daily walking close to Thee, let it be dear Lord, let it be.

As we are approaching Thanksgiving holiday this year our nation, our communities, our churches, and our families are under great distress. The coronavirus, civil unrest, violence, drug addiction, and numerous other problems people are facing with uncertainty. Yet, the scriptures tell us that we are to be thankful in all things. It does not say that we are to be thankful for all things. Rather, in all things we can be thankful. Again the song writer says:

When waves of affliction sweep over the soul, And sun-light is hid-den from view,

If ever you’re tempted to fret or complain, Just think of His goodness to you.

Just think of His goodness to you, Yes think of His goodness to you,

Tho’ storms o’er thee sweep, He is able to keep; O think of His goodness to you

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we ask for strength to bear our cross as we daily walk with you. Amen.