“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” — Matthew 16:24
The Call to Follow
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus extends a simple yet profound invitation: “Follow me.” To Peter, Andrew, James, and John, He calls them away from their fishing nets. To Matthew, He calls him away from his tax booth. Each time, those who respond must leave something behind. Following Jesus is not merely about belief—it is a radical reordering of life.
Jesus never sugarcoated discipleship. He made it clear that following Him requires sacrifice, obedience, and total commitment. To follow Christ is to walk the path of self-denial, surrendering our own desires to embrace His will.
The Cost of Discipleship
In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus encounters three would-be disciples. Each one expresses a desire to follow Him, but each also hesitates:
- The Comfortable Disciple — One man declares, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus responds, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). The cost of discipleship means forsaking comfort and security for the sake of the Kingdom.
- The Distracted Disciple — Another says, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus replies, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). The call of Christ demands our primary allegiance, above even family obligations.
- The Hesitant Disciple — A third says, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus answers, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). True discipleship means moving forward with unwavering devotion.
Carrying the Cross
Jesus does not call us to an easy road; He calls us to carry a cross. The cross is a symbol of death—death to self, sin, and worldly priorities. Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” To be a disciple means to die to our own plans and live for Christ’s mission.
Yet, this cost is not without reward. Jesus promises, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). In surrendering our lives, we gain something far greater—eternal life, peace, and the joy of walking with our Savior.
Counting the Cost
Jesus warns us to count the cost before we commit (Luke 14:28-30). Are we willing to forsake worldly comfort, relationships, and personal ambitions for His sake? True discipleship requires:
- Obedience to His Word
- Perseverance in trials
- Sacrificial love toward others
- A willingness to let go of anything that hinders our walk with Christ
Reflection Questions:
- What is Jesus asking you to leave behind to follow Him more fully?
- Have you ever hesitated in responding to His call? What holds you back?
- How does taking up your cross shape your daily life?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have called me to follow You, not just in words but in action. Help me to surrender all that holds me back. Give me the courage to deny myself, take up my cross, and walk faithfully with You. Let me live with the boldness of true discipleship, knowing that in losing my life for Your sake, I will find true life. Amen.
Final Thought
The call to follow Christ is costly, but it is also the most fulfilling path we can take. As we embrace the cost of discipleship, we find that Jesus Himself is our greatest reward.
