The Cost of Discipleship
Scripture:
Mark 8:34 -Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.
Mark 10:21 -“You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
Reflection:
One of the most profound statements Jesus makes about discipleship is found in Mark 8:34: "If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." This declaration underscores that true discipleship is not without cost. It involves a conscious decision to set aside personal ambitions, desires, and comforts to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler in Mark 10:21 further illustrates the cost of discipleship. Jesus tells the young man, "You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." The rich young ruler, though deeply interested in eternal life, ultimately could not bring himself to pay the price of discipleship.
The pastor highlights that following Jesus is not merely about what we gain, but also about what we are willing to surrender. The call to take up our cross is a call to die to self—to relinquish control over our lives and to trust in God’s plan, even when it leads us through difficult or uncomfortable places.
This aspect of discipleship challenges the cultural narrative that prioritizes self-fulfillment and comfort. Jesus calls His disciples to a life of self-denial, where following Him takes precedence over personal desires. This does not mean that following Jesus is joyless or devoid of fulfillment, but rather that the true joy and fulfillment come from aligning our lives with God’s will, even when it involves sacrifice.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does it mean for you to "deny yourself" in the context of your faith journey?
2. Are there areas of your life where you are resisting the cost of discipleship? If so, what are they?
3. How can embracing the cost of discipleship lead to deeper spiritual growth and fulfillment?
Application:
Reflect on what it means to take up your cross and follow Jesus. Identify specific areas in your life where you need to surrender control or desires that may be hindering your discipleship. Make a commitment to take concrete steps toward surrendering these areas to God, trusting in His plan for your life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, following You is the greatest honor and privilege of my life. Help me to understand the cost of discipleship and to willingly embrace it. Show me the areas of my life where I need to deny myself and take up my cross. Give me the strength to follow You wherever You lead, trusting that in losing my life for Your sake, I will find true life. In Your name, Amen.