THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS
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00:00The Cost of Following Jesus
00:06Understanding Matthew 8, 18-22
00:09Have you ever thought about what it truly means to follow Jesus?
00:13I'm not talking about simply attending church on Sundays or reading the Bible when you have the time.
00:19I mean really following Jesus, where His path becomes your path, His ways become your ways, and His will becomes your will.
00:28This is what Jesus spoke about in Matthew 8, 18-22, a passage that challenges us to examine the depth of our commitment to Him.
00:37In this passage, Jesus confronts two individuals who express a desire to follow Him.
00:43But instead of welcoming them with open arms, Jesus responds with statements that seem almost discouraging.
00:50Why? Because He wanted them, and us, to understand the cost of following Him.
00:56The first disciple. The scribe's desire.
01:00Matthew 8, 19 says,
01:02Then a teacher of the law came to him and said,
01:05Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.
01:08It sounds like a noble declaration, doesn't it?
01:12Who wouldn't admire such enthusiasm?
01:14But Jesus knew the heart of this man.
01:17He knew that the scribe was more attracted to the idea of following a famous teacher than to the reality of what it meant to follow Jesus.
01:25Jesus replies in verse 20,
01:27Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.
01:33What a powerful statement!
01:35Jesus, the Son of Man, the One who has authority over all creation, lived a life of discomfort, rejection, and sacrifice.
01:44If we are to follow Him, we must be ready to embrace the same.
01:49Jesus was telling the scribe that following Him would not lead to worldly comfort or security but to a life of surrender and self-denial.
01:57Think about this in today's context.
02:00We live in a world that often measures success by the comfort and security we achieve.
02:05But Jesus flips that on its head.
02:08He challenges us to reconsider what it means to truly succeed in life.
02:13Following Jesus means prioritizing Him over everything else, even if it means sacrificing our comfort and security.
02:21It means placing our trust in Him, knowing that our ultimate home is not here on earth, but in heaven with Him.
02:28The second disciple, the hesitant follower.
02:31Then, in verses 21 to 22, we read about another disciple who says,
02:37Lord, first let me go and bury my father.
02:40On the surface, this seems like a reasonable request.
02:44Burying one's father was a sacred duty in Jewish culture, a way of honoring one's parents.
02:50But Jesus replies, follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.
02:55At first glance, Jesus' response might seem harsh, even insensitive.
03:01But Jesus was making a point about the urgency of His call.
03:06Following Him must come before all other obligations, even those as important as family duties.
03:12Jesus wasn't telling the man to neglect his family responsibilities but to prioritize his commitment to Him above everything else.
03:20In our lives, we often find ourselves hesitating to fully commit to Jesus because of other obligations, whether it's work, family, or personal ambitions.
03:31We think, I'll follow Jesus once I've sorted out these things in my life.
03:36But Jesus is calling us to follow Him now, without delay.
03:41He's asking us to trust Him with all aspects of our lives, to let go of our excuses, and to make Him our first priority.
03:49Real-life example. The cost of discipleship.
03:53Let me share a real-life example that reflects the cost of following Jesus.
03:58Consider the story of a young woman named Sarah.
04:02She was a successful lawyer with a promising career ahead of her.
04:06But Sarah felt a deep calling to serve Jesus in a more direct way.
04:11She wrestled with the idea of leaving her lucrative job to work in ministry, knowing it would mean financial sacrifice and a completely different lifestyle.
04:20After much prayer and seeking Jesus' guidance, Sarah decided to follow His calling.
04:26She left her job and started working with a non-profit organization that serves underprivileged communities.
04:33It wasn't easy. She faced financial challenges, the loss of professional status, and the uncertainty of the future.
04:41But through it all, Sarah experienced a deep sense of peace and fulfillment, knowing that she was following Jesus' call on her life.
04:50Sarah's story illustrates the reality of what Jesus was teaching in Matthew 8 18-22.
04:56Following Jesus isn't about seeking comfort or avoiding hardship.
05:01It's about surrendering our lives to Him, trusting Him with our future, and prioritizing His will above all else.
05:08The significance of Jesus' call.
05:11So what does this passage mean for us today?
05:14It challenges us to examine our own commitment to Jesus.
05:18Are we following Him out of convenience, or are we truly willing to surrender everything for His sake?
05:24Jesus is calling us to a life of radical obedience, where we trust Him with every aspect of our lives, even when it's uncomfortable or uncertain.
05:33In a world that values comfort and security, Jesus offers something far greater.
05:39Eternal life, a relationship with Him, and the promise of His presence with us every step of the way.
05:45But we must be willing to count the cost, to let go of our earthly attachments, and to follow Him wherever He leads.
05:52A prayer to Jesus.
05:54Let us pray together.
05:56Dear Jesus, we come before You with hearts open and willing to follow You.
06:01We acknowledge the cost of discipleship and the sacrifices it may require.
06:06Help us, Jesus, to trust You completely, to prioritize Your will above all else, and to follow You without hesitation.
06:14Give us the courage to let go of the things that hold us back and the faith to walk in Your footsteps, knowing that You are with us every step of the way.
06:23Strengthen our commitment to You and deepen our relationship with You.
06:27We thank You for the promise of eternal life and the assurance of Your presence in our lives.
06:33In Your name, we pray. Amen.
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06:42And if this topic resonated with you, type Amen in the comments below.
06:48Remember! Jesus always loves you. Amen.