And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath nowhere to lay his head.

~Luke 9:57-58 KJV

THE DECISION TO FOLLOW CHRIST

The cost of following Christ can’t be measured by the world’s standards of worth. Nothing can compare with what we will get by being a faithful follower of our Lord.

Jesus laid out a beautiful picture for His disciples in Luke chapter nine, but at the same time, He gave them a sad picture. He loved to use mental images of God’s awesome world and nature. He told them that birds had nests, and foxes had holes.” They had a place to call home, a place to nurture their young, and a place to rest. These places protected them from harm. But what about Jesus? He made Himself vulnerable to meet our spiritual needs.

Our most basic needs are food, rest, and nourishment. God knows our needs and lovingly provides for them. He made our bodies crave these basics. Through Christ, we also have our spiritual needs met.

THE COST OF BEING A FOLLOWER

When Jesus spoke these words, He was searching for people to follow Him. Many followed Him because they thought He was someone who would provide something they lacked. They heard He had come to save them and become their new ruler. But when they realized He called them to a life of self-sacrifice and service, some walked away.

Many people throughout history, beginning with the disciples, have given up everything they owned, even their own families and comfortable surroundings, to answer Christ’s call. Some today leave homes and loved ones to travel far away to share Jesus with people who have never heard of Him. The most extreme examples of self-sacrifice entail those who endure persecution and even give their lives.

PRAY AND COMMIT

We should pray daily for those who are being persecuted. We should also pray to be so Spirit-filled that we, too, would have the strength and determination to follow Jesus Christ, no matter the price.

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

              -Matthew 26:41 KJV

Following Christ takes determination and commitment.

What are some costs you have paid to follow Jesus?

Heavenly Father, I admit my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. Help me follow Christ despite the persecution I might encounter. Bless those who have encountered persecution, and give them strength daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2022: The Cost of Following Christ: Deanna Stalnaker: All Rights Reserved