In Part 1 of the topic of discipleship we looked at the Call of Discipleship. We continue here and look at the Cost of Discipleship.
THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
It was Jim Elliot, missionary to a remote tribe in the jungles of Equador, who said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot was killed by the very savage tribe he was trying to reach. Yet, he understood the cost of discipleship. (If you are looking for a great book to read, get hold of a copy of Through Gates of Splendor, by Jim’s widow, Elisabeth Elliot.)
Further on in Luke’s gospel (vss. 9:57-62) we read about three would-be disciples who did not understand what they were asking.
The first says, “Can I come too? I will follow you, Jesus, wherever you go.”
He doesn’t wait to be called – and he clearly doesn’t know what he is asking. We know this by the response Jesus gives him. Jesus shows him what such a life involves:
“Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
Jesus is saying, “Can you rough it?” Can you let go of the comforts of your life? Can you give it all up for me? Few men, of their own volition, would choose such a life.
The second would-be disciple Jesus calls, “Follow me.” But he responds, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” This guy is bound by the old laws and traditions. Burying his father is not a bad thing but must be done in obedience to Jesus.
The third individual says, “I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” This third would-be disciple, like the first, thinks he can follow on his own terms – as though it was some sort of career path he’s mapped out for himself.
The call must come from Jesus. We do not choose. In Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship he states:
What does the call do? First, it cuts us off from our previous existence. It produces a new situation. Matthew leaves the tax booth. Peter leaves his nets and boat. It places the disciple in the situation where faith is possible. If he refuses to follow, and stays behind, he does not learn how to believe.
Secondly, to stay in the old situation makes discipleship impossible. Matthew could have stayed in the collection booth, Peter in his boat. Jesus might have been a present help in trouble, but not Lord of their whole lives. Peter had to get out of the boat and risk his own life to learn about his own weakness and the almighty power of his Lord. Had he not, he never would’ve learned the meaning of faith.
The road to faith passes through obedience to the call of Jesus.
An Old Testament example of obedience preceding faith is found in chapter 3 of the book of Joshua. The Israelites were camped on the banks of the Jordan River. Word came from Joshua through the Israelite officers to give instructions to the people to be ready to move out. Joshua told the priests to lift the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river. Remember that this generation is the children whose parents had crossed the Red Sea – on dry ground. They now stood on the overflowing banks of the Jordan. The waters had not parted. Wait, Joshua! This isn’t how Moses did it! The instructions this time were to step into the water and wait. (vs. 8) Before the water would stop flowing, they had to step in – by faith! Obedience first. You’d think they would have learned some lessons of faith after wandering in the wilderness for forty years!
So, what is the application for us today? As believers in Jesus, we all could be disciples. Many people follow Jesus. Few want to become disciples. Yet the Great Commission is written to us as well as his original group. Matthew records Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Therefore, go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands that I have given you.” Then the new disciples, in turn, go and teach faithful men as the apostle Paul charges Timothy. (2 Tim. 2:2)
Where are you today on your spiritual journey? Is it time to step into the water?
Gospel singer, songwriter, Kirk Talley wrote this song several years ago. It sums up this essay.
STEP INTO THE WATER
Step into the water,
Wade out a little bit deeper.
Wet your feet in the water of his love.
Oh, Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper,
Come join angels singin’,
Praises to the Lamb of God.
It’s time we the people,
Stand up for what is right.
It’s time we squared our shoulders back,
And raised our swords to fight.
For the Bible is our weapon,
And the spirit is my shield.
The church needs more of its members to be workers in the field.
Step into the water,
Wade out a little bit deeper.
Wet your feet in the water of his love.
Oh Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper,
Come join angels singin’,
Praises to the Lamb of God.
To the lamb of God.
There is victory for the Christian,
Who walks the narrow way.
There has been a prize appointed,
For the soul who does not stray.
Oh I want to live for Jesus,
Be all that I should be.
So that I can rest with him forever,
To Live eternally.
Bill Erickson
Devotional Blog 