The Cost of Following Jesus
Are You Ready To Follow Jesus?
These are the requirements. Disclaimer: It’s not easy for us. But nothing is impossible for God.
Scripture - Luke 9:23 (CSB)
Then he said to them all, ”If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Observation
Jesus spoke to His disciples about the cost of following Him. Nothing is easy being a follower of Jesus. Jesus warned us that we would be ashamed, deny ourselves, and take up our cross daily for being the followers of Christ. Being a Christian is not easy. Why do we want to do these things because of Jesus? Because Jesus is the true King who died for our sins. The cost of following Jesus is nothing compared to what He had been through—betrayal, crucifixion, and death. Jesus gives us a choice to follow Him or not. And it is up to us whether we want to follow Him.
Application
If you are ready to follow Jesus, there are things we should do:
Deny yourselves. This means we don’t think or do what our heart wants, but as what God wants. Remember that our heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”).
Crucify your flesh daily. Jesus died for our sins, but why do we need to crucify our flesh daily? It’s an act of repentance. It’s not easy to crucify your flesh. It takes time, and we must ask God what area needs to be crucified. Is it lust? Or maybe greed? Is it unforgiveness?
Surrender all to God. Acknowledge that you can’t do any of these without Him. Let Him do the work for you. God knows taking up your cross daily is difficult. But that’s the point. Let people see God through you.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for calling me to follow You and for the gift of eternal life You gave through Jesus. Show me the part of my heart that needs to be crucified every day. Help me to take up the cross because I find my strength in You. Help me to surrender all of my problems to You. May my life reflect Your glory and draw others to Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
