Our Ministry
The Cost of Discipleship
HOLY SATURDAY • APRIL 3
Luke 14:28-33
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down
and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if
he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it
will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to
finish.’
Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he
not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men
to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not
able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and
will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give
up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
The above parable reminds me of an experience I had in my youth. I
did not grow up Lutheran. My family loosely belonged to a non-denominational
group. During their annual religious convention, attended by
members from all over Saskatchewan, those who wished to accept Christ
were invited to stand.
When I was about 20, I knew that God was calling me, yet, I refused
the call. I feared that I would have to give up too many things I enjoyed.
So I sat, trembling. Several months later, after much soul-searching, I
became a Christian. This time I didn’t count the cost. Instead, by the
power of the Holy Spirit, I received Christ and experienced tremendous
peace and joy.
I believe this willingness to give God control of one’s life is what
Jesus means when He tells His disciples, “None of you can become my
disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.” Perhaps He does
mean to sell everything—as He instructed the rich man who wanted eternal
life. But maybe it means to “let go and let God.” We do not lose control
of our lives, for we are finally freed from sin’s bondage to enjoy life.
Nor do we become poorer in doing so. Everything we have (including our
lives) already belongs to God. We share in spiritual richness as we
become God’s children and Jesus’ siblings!
Father, thank you that our price to be your children is so small since your
Son paid the ultimate price. And we thank you that the rewards are so
great. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Will Main, Director
Haskell LIGHT Campus Ministry
Lawrence, Kansas