Luke 14:25-35

The cost of Discipleship -- Luke 14:25-35: Large crowds often accompanied Jesus as He traveled about. Jesus taught the cost of discipleship saying, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Choosing to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ required greater love for Him than for any family members. Jesus said, "You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life." Jesus' disciples must even be willing to face death for His cause. The cost of discipleship could be stressed no stronger than when Jesus said, "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27) Choosing to become a disciple of God's Son demanded counting the cost. A man who was building a tower would calculate the expenses less he not be able to finish the work and thus make himself look foolish. A king going into battle would decide if he should fight or if he should seek terms of peace. Jesus summed up the cost of discipleship saying, "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Jesus' disciples must be a force good. He used salt to illustrate that point. Luke 14 closed with the great statement, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."