‘Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ ‘ Luke 14:25-30
Jesus had just finished having dinner at the house of a Pharisee, where there was a man who was suffering from abnormal swelling. Jesus asked them, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”
They remind silent, so He took hold of the man and healed him.
He gave lessons to the religious leaders that would turn their beliefs on their heads.
The crowds following Jesus were probably thinking, “Yeah, get them!! They have been putting burdens on us for a long time. It’s about time they got what was theirs.” After all, He was speaking truth to power.
And then Jesus turned to the crowd to address being His disciple. This was a real eye-opener for them.
Let’s look at the first part of His statement:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person cannot be my disciple.”
This had to be shocking to them. But He was saying that they could not have any affections before Him. When I started recognizing that my relationship with Jesus was more important than anyone else, it strengthened my relationships with those around me.
My compassion for them increase. My heart for them to know the Lord increased. I also realized that I knew that I had to live my life in a manner that glorified God in front of them. Bringing us to the next part:
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.“
What does it mean to “carry your cross?”
Here are a few things it does not mean:
- Grumpy, uncooperative neighbors
- Sickness, no matter how severe
- Job loss or financial crisis
All of these things are common to everyone on the planet in some way or another, whether they believe of not.
When Jesus refers to carrying the cross, He talks about laying your life down to build the Kingdom of God. For Him, that meant dying one of the most horrific deaths known then so our sins could be forgiven.
One of my personal examples is when Jesus entered my heart; I was a manager at a pool hall with a full bar and restaurant. It was harmless, meaning there are a lot of people who work at restaurants that serve alcohol.
But for me, I was in the Recovery Ministry at the church. God put it on my heart that I didn’t want to be seen serving alcohol while I was engaged in that ministry. I was there to help those that suffered with alcoholism.
The money was great; I made my hours, and it was a good gig. But I laid it down for the Lord so my life could be a better example for those he put in my path to serve.
Please understand I don’t say this to pat myself on the back. I only say this because we should be constantly looking at the things we do that could be stumbling blocks for those around us.
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.“
There is a price to pay for following Jesus, which is everything that does not glorify God.
‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ‘ John 15:12-13
What does this look like?
This looks like you willingly lay down your life for someone else. Laying down your desires to help someone, especially when it may come at an inconvenient time.
Jesus never turned down help for someone who asked Him to help them.
‘O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. ‘ Psalms 86:5
The next part about counting the cost is interesting to me:
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
When I read this, I think about the jobs I had. I think about how when the things of the job started to get “boring” or if the heat was turned up, I would go get another job. I was not willing to pay the price.
The reward comes from “staying,” not leaving. I burned through several 401 Ks and never had any “staying power.” When the going got tough, I would be out.
When Jesus came into my heart, I fixated on two words that stuck in my mind: “Stand Firm.”
I’ve had three jobs since Jesus took hold of my heart:
1st Job: Manager of Pool Hall with full bar and restaurant. I left this job because I didn’t want to serve alcohol due to being in the Recovery Ministry at my church.
2nd job: Commercial Sales Manager in MA. I would have stayed here until the Lord took me home. But I wanted to move my wife down south due to a couple of medical issues that the cold weather made worse.
3rd job: Commercial Sales Manager in FL. My wife feels much better in this climate. And the Lord has blessed our efforts in our department in so many ways since we’ve been down here. It’s been a real blessing in many ways.
Also, since the move, we have become part of a Bible-believing and teaching church. Praise the Lord.
When things get tough at work, the words that ring in my ears are “Stand Firm,” and I do. I work through it with prayer and patience, and the Lord sees it through.
No more unfinished foundations.
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word.
Thank You for Your grace, mercy and forgiveness.
I pray that You keep my heart bent on helping others get to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let my life be a reflection of the work of the Lord in my heart.
I pray that the people who look at me see the work of Jesus in my heart.
I thank You for the challenges that You put in my path. I know You place them there to bring me closer to You if I seek You through the challenge.
In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
