The Cost of Discipleship

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a brilliant young German theologian, was executed by the Nazis in the

concentration camp at Flossenburg on April 9, 1945.  This modern martyr had thought and written much about the cost of discipleship, not least because of the dangerous times in which he lived.  He was convinced that the gospel that Jesus preached to his disciples was not without a challenge—but not without its own special comfort, too.  

Bonhoeffer said, “The command of Jesus is hard, unutterably hard, for those who try to resist it. But for those who willingly submit, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light.”

He was right.  Jesus was not hesitant to scold his wayward followers. An exorcist who was not in their group was casting out demons. The scripture says, “Master," said John, we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.  Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:50)  

When they wanted to exterminate some Samaritans, they were rebuked by the Lord for suggesting such a thing. (Luke 9:51-56)  And those who gave uncommitted responses to His call, like the man who indicated he would follow Jesus if it didn’t interfere with his family life, were told, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

The problem with plowing and looking back at the same time is not so much a stiff neck as a crooked row.  And the end product of the Christian that halfheartedly follows Christ is a crooked life.  A halfhearted Christian commits part of his life to Christ and manages the rest personally.

There is something in a man’s heart that is resistant to a wholesale commitment to the lordship and leadership of Christ.  It is difficult for the man as he resists, because a battle of wills is in progress.   It is a battle the man cannot win, but he insists on fighting to his own disappointment and concern.  It would be far better to accept the rebuke of the Lord.  It is infinitely better to see things His way.  And it is delightfully liberating to exchange the harsh shackles of selfishness for the kindly restraints of Christ’s call, wherever it leads.  

Bonhoeffer went to his death, which he called the “solemnest feast on the road to eternal freedom.”   He was convinced that this, the ultimate cost of discipleship, was a price well worth paying.  This is an approach to discipleship that bears the stamp of reality. 

A major problem in the church today, is that many people claim to be Christian, but they really aren't.  They think they're going to heaven just because they prayed a prayer to receive Jesus, even though their lives are no different from that of non-Christians.  They are unwilling to sacrifice anything for the sake of following Christ, such as their time, their selfish pursuits, their money, or their reputation.  Those kinds of people are going to be very surprised when they are condemned to hell. 

We need to tell them the truth!

 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) 

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