The Cost of Following Jesus
The cost isn’t high because God is demanding; the cost is high because you cannot hold onto the world and the Kingdom at the same time.
Welcome to the Word Ministry editorial desk. It is a privilege to respond to such a meaningful reflection. While we often emphasize the peace and salvation found in Christ, Jesus was also clear—at times even direct and challenging—about what it truly costs to follow Him.
As believers, we aim to speak in alignment with Scripture. When Jesus spoke about the “cost of discipleship,” He did not soften the message or hide expectations. Instead, He made them clear and unmistakable for all who would choose to follow Him.
The Reality of the Cost
Michele Abbot asked why anyone wouldn’t choose Him. From a human perspective, the answer often lies in the “terms and conditions” Jesus laid out. He didn’t pitch a comfortable lifestyle; He pitched a total transformation.
Here is what our Lord said regarding the cost:
The Requirement of Self-Denial
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” To the original audience, the “cross” wasn’t a piece of jewelry; it was an instrument of execution. Following Him means the death of our own worldly’s ambitions.
The Priority of Affection
Jesus made it clear that our love for Him must dwarf all other relationships. In Luke 14:26, He uses strong language: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (In the biblical context, “hate” refers to loving less by comparison).
The Forsaking of Possessions
He didn’t shy away from the financial cost either. In Luke 14:33, He concludes a teaching on discipleship by saying, “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
The End of Comfort
When a scribe told Jesus he would follow Him anywhere, Jesus gave him a reality check in Matthew 8:20: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
“Counting the Cost”
Jesus actually warned us not to follow Him on an impulse. He wanted us to use our heads before we committed our hearts. He provided two specific illustrations in Luke 14:28-32:
The BuilderThe KingA man starting a tower must first sit down and count the cost to see if he has enough to finish it.A king going to war must consider if his ten thousand men can stand against twenty thousand.The Lesson: Don’t start a walk with Christ if you aren’t prepared for the finish.The Lesson: Recognize the magnitude of the commitment before the “battle” begins.
Why People Walk Away
You’ll recall the “Rich Young Ruler” in Matthew 19. He knew who Jesus was, and he wanted eternal life, but when Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, the young man went away sorrowful.
Editorial Note: The cost isn’t high because God is demanding; the cost is high because you cannot hold onto the world and the Kingdom at the same time. Your hands must be empty of “self” to be filled with “Christ.”
The reason many choose not to follow is that the “price”—giving up autonomy, worldly status, or sinful habits—feels higher than the perceived value of the reward.
Our mission at Word Ministry is to show that while the cost is everything we have, the value of what we receive is infinite.