The Cost Of Discipleship

Sometimes you just need to learn the value of a dollar. I remember when my nephew Kaden was learning this at the Wisconsin Dells. We were downtown, where all the shops were, and he was given a dollar earlier in the day. Thinking that was enough money to buy something in a tourist trap, he began searching for something he could buy with that dollar. He would grab a toy and ask, “Is this a dollar?” And we would say, “No.” “How about this?” “That’s not a dollar, either.” At one point, as we would go into other stores, he would run in the middle of each one, pull out his dollar over his head, and shout, “Is there anything for a dollar here?” On one occasion, a cleric said, “Yeah, a piece of candy.” Kaden was learning the cost and value of a dollar.

In the Gospel text, we encounter some Samaritans and a group of would be disciples, who want to follow Jesus. Jesus doesn’t have them learn the lesson, He tells them. Jesus openly and honestly tells them and us the cost and price of following Him. He tells us the cost of discipleship. He doesn’t want it to be a surprise or secret. He doesn’t want us to ever say, “Hey Jesus, you never told me about that!” Instead, He is upfront and honest about the price of following Him. Let’s hear what He has to say this morning.

Luke begins the Gospel text by saying that Jesus has His face set toward Jerusalem. He is determined and dedicated to going there. His eye is on the prize. Nothing will break His resolve or focus. He is going there to suffer for you, to die for you, to fulfill Scripture for you, and to rise for you. He is going there to save you! Nothing will hinder or halt Him from His mission. Jesus is serious about this, and is doing it for all people. And, so, on His way there, He goes through Samaria.

Most Jews would not cross through Samaria on their way to Jerusalem, even though it would be the easiest, quickest, and most direct way. It would be like heading to Indiana from Minnesota, but refusing to go through Illinois. Going through Illinois would be the easier, quicker, and most direct way. Sure, you could go through Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky to get there, but it would be inconvenient, and silly. Jews would avoid Samaria like the plague, and would travel east of the Jordan River to avoid it. It didn’t matter that it took longer and was out of the way. They didn’t want to cross through Samaria.

Why? Long story short, Jews and Samaritans have a long and messy history. They don’t like each other, they have racial animosity, and theological differences. The Samaritans only used the first five books of the Old Testament, and believed that Mt. Gerizim, rather than Jerusalem, was the preferred place of worship. Despite this, Jesus is intentional, and sends messengers ahead to prepare for His arrival in a Samaritan village. Jesus came for them, too.

However, the Samaritans reject Jesus. Why? His face is set toward Jerusalem. They don’t want a Savior Who would go there. That’s not the kind of God they want, or would believe in. So, they reject Him, and we see the same thing today. People reject Jesus and say that there is no God at all, like atheists. Others might struggle with the concept of God taking on flesh and dying, or that Jesus is God. These truths are unthinkable to Muslims and heretical groups struggle with these truths. Others reject Christ by saying, “I’m a good person. I don’t need saving. I’ll be in Heaven.” They think that they have no need for a Savior. To others, Jesus conflicts with what they want to do, or they reject Him because Jesus didn’t do something they wanted, as if He is a genie in a bottle. This rejection is a live and well in our day, sad to say. The cost of their rejection will be great!

Seeing this rejection, James and John are willing to call down fire from Heaven like Elijah, but Jesus says, “No.” and they move on to another village. But not everyone rejects Jesus. On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus meets three unnamed disciples on an unnamed road after leaving the unnamed village.

As they are on their way, the first disciple comes to Jesus and says, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Notice his address. He says, “I will follow,” “I will follow.” The Gospels never record an incident in which someone offers to follow Jesus and successfully becomes a disciple. It doesn’t happen! Both the invitation and the grace to follow are always a gift! We cannot come to faith on our own power. The man brims with self-confidence, and thinks he can follow Jesus. Jesus challenges this self-confidence. He says, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Jesus says, “Are you willing to follow One Who has less than foxes and birds? Are you willing to risk that? Are you willing to be like Him?” Is the man willing to give up all material comfort and security? Could give up everything, if it called for it? That’s the cost!