Jesus sets the requirements of discipleship. He had multitudes pursuing Him. One and all cherished His miracles, healing, and mass feeding. But He knew they desired the advantages of His actions more than knowledge of Who He was. They cherished His helps, not the walk He was calling them to. Therefore He put in plain words what it takes to be one of His followers:
26 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.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26-33).
If we desire to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we must first count the cost.
Many years ago, I told God I would go anywhere, anytime, at any cost. (This is not brag, as it should be each believer’s commitment). In 35+ years since making this commitment, though there were times when my first response was, “I’m not sure I want to go there”, but then I would hear His heart-felt loving words of encouragement, “Jerry, be true to your First Love. Be faithful. Do not compromise your commitment.”
To date, I have kept this commitment. And, yes, there has been cost to every request He has made, some much more than others. But, the blessings are many as I always see His hand at work wherever I go. I see people saved in parts of the world I would never go to without His request. I see Christians grow in deeper relationships with Jesus through intentional praying. I see people healed in body, mind, and spirit. I see families restored. I see suicides averted. I see addicts set free. I see churches healed of inner conflicts. I preach the Word of God in many languages through interpreters (in one church I was interpreted in two languages besides English).
Why? Why have I made such a bold and risky commitment to a God many do not believe or trust?
I do it because Jesus saved me. He saved me from the strong clutches of the devil himself. He saved me to an eternal home in glory. He saved me to enjoy eternal life right now. He gave me the perfect wife of both inner and outer beauty; Ruthi is a beautiful person, filled with love, joy, and wisdom! He saved me from a childless future (five children living and one in heaven). He healed my heart at age 33 when all the doctors and medical teams said I was dying. In my acceptance of pending death, my prayer was not that I would live, but that I might not die in front of my children’s eyes. And when all had given me over to the waiting reaper, God spoke clearly into my inner self, my heart of hearts, He said, “Jerry, you are going to be all right!”
These are just a few reasons why I owe Him my deepest commitment. But, He calls all believers to this same commitment. Have you made yours? He will show you the wonders of His love and power when you do!
