The Cost of Discipleship

“As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore” (John 6:66).

By the time you reach John 6, the large crowds of followers attracted to Jesus were beginning to thin.  Sure, the miracles like turning water to wine, healing a lame man, and feeding an enormous gathering with only five loaves of bread and two fish were impressive.  But now, Jesus was making some claims that were hard to accept.  “I am the bread of life which comes down out of heaven” (John 6:33-35).  “I have come down from heaven” (John 6:38).  “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life” (John 6:54).

Claims like these were making it much harder to be a follower of Jesus.  It’s one thing to follow a miracle worker.  It’s a much different thing when the miracle worker begins to require a commitment on your part -- to make a claim on your life.  The cost of being a disciple of Jesus was suddenly becoming much higher and many were leaving.  The departure point differs among individuals.  For Nicodemus, it was when Jesus told him he had to be born again (John 13.3).  For one rich young man, it was when Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor (Matthew 19:21-22).  For others, it is when troubles and persecution comes (Matthew 13:20-21).  In each case, the cost of discipleship became too high, at least at that point in their lives.

Every follower of Jesus needs to periodically count the cost of following Jesus in their own life.  Is there anything that could cause me to quit walking with Jesus?  Family?  Friends?  Job?  Trials?  Persecution?  Finances?  The time to ask these kinds of questions is BEFORE the particular situation presents itself.  That way, I can prepare beforehand to face the temptations that will inevitably come to give up.  Walking with Jesus is the only way to experience eternal life.  Don’t stop walking!  Don’t give up!

 

God loves you!

Mike