[Luke 14, Proverbs 20]

H – Luke 14:27, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

E – Count The Cost!

Crowds had pressed in around Jesus (v.25). They had seen His miracles, seen how He met needs, and heard Him speak with authority. Every time Jesus showed up, the crowds would show up. Some probably really desiring to be changed by Jesus while many just wanted to be around Jesus to get something from Him. There seemed to be a false expectancy from the crown on what Jesus was actually offering. Yet, Jesus let this crowd know their lives were to be disciples, or bust. 

Remember, a “disciple” is a learner, one who attaches to a teacher in order to learn from. 

Jesus begins with a conditional/conjunctional statement in V.26, “If”. Notice though, the conditions of discipleship that follow were not addressed to believers in order to make them apostles but to the crowds. I believe the next statements are therefore conditions for salvation, not conditions for Christians to become a spiritual elite or to reach a new level in their Christian lives. This is huge. To be Christian is to be a Disciple. 

“If anyone comes to me” means seeking salvation or making a decision to follow Jesus. However, there are three conditions. 

1. Does Not Hate (v.26). The word used is “Hate.” That seems really harsh. But, the word is not used in a sense of evil. The word is used in a sense of placement. Nothing should take the place of your first love, which should be Jesus. And the reality is when my love for Jesus is primary I better love those around me. 

2. Does Not Bear His Own Cross and Come After Me (v.27). The question arises, What does it mean to “carry the cross”? Warren Wiersbe wrote, “It means daily identification with Christ in shame, suffering, and surrender to God’s will. It means death to self, to our own plans and ambitions, and a willingness to serve Him as He directs (John 12:23–28).” It means then that discipleship is not a one and done prayer. It is daily surrendering and submitting to His Lordship over everything else. 

3. Does Not Renounce All That He Has (v.33). A disciple must relinquish everything. Literally be willing to give up everything for the sake of following Christ. I believe this scares some people to think they will have to give up a house, job, relationship, or future plans. This thought is usually from a worldly perspective of selfishness and I can understand it. I’ve been there. But, when I started following Christ intentionally, giving up for the sake of following Him where ever He sends me became normal. Because, I know He is going to take care of me. (Just a personal testimony – I have more today trusting Him with everything than I did when I was trying to do it myself). 

So, here is the kicker. If I am not willing to “count the cost” (v. 28) and submit/surrender to these conditions, “I can not be called His Disciple” (v.26, 37, 33). I’m unworthy of being called His student, learner, follower. 

As I was typing this the thought came to me, could this be why John said, 1 John 2:19–20, “[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. [20] But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.” 

Trent Butler stated discipleship this way, “Discipleship is a full-time commitment. Nothing should modify, interrupt, or compete with it. Dedication to Jesus is a life-long commitment to follow the road that leads to death. Persons in the crowd who sought power, responsibility, food, health, fame, or fortune could quit now. Earthly rewards were not in view. Dedication to Christ is dedication to crucifixion. Rewards come only in the next world, with the resurrection.”

A – This is a reminder that following Christ is a daily, continual placement of Him as the primacy of my life, submitting to His Lordship, and laying a blank check before Him, to be used by and for His Glory. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you for being the Master Teacher and giving me an opportunity to learn from you. I have learned today that your mercies are new every morning. Lord thank you for forgiveness. thank you for being patient and slow to anger. I know that I have not lived up to the expectations of being your disciple. God, create in me a conviction through your Holy Spirit to submit to you continually, counting the cost, and making no excuse (v.18). 

In Jesus Name!