June 21 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Are you prepared to do what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus? Many of Christ’s adherents followed Him for sensation. They loved watching Him perform miracles but they did not see Him as their Saviour who came into this world to die for their sins. That is why Jesus calls them to count the cost of being a disciple. He uses twin parables to drive home this point.

The first illustration has to do with building a tower. If a person wants to build a structure he needs to sit down and make a plan. He counts the cost and considers everything involved in the building process. If he starts building but runs out of money, he will look foolish.

A second illustration comes from kings at war. It would be difficult for a king or an army general to defeat an opponent of twenty thousand men with less than ten thousand men in his own ranks. A person in such a situation will think strategically and carefully. He is outnumbered two to one but he does not quietly sit back and wait for defeat. He tries to reach a peace agreement while the enemy is still far away.

These two parables are similar but make slightly different points. The builder of the tower is free to build as he chooses. He can take his time and carefully draw up an appropriate plan. The king, however, has no time to waste; he needs to make a quick but good decision.

Following Christ has huge implications that are effective immediately. As Jesus says to the crowds, “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.” (14:26) A person at work, a spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend should never be permitted to stand in the way of being a true disciple. Christ must take precedence in all relationships. Sometimes discipleship requires that we make quick and decisive decisions. Christ says, “You have to be willing to make that choice to be my disciple.” No one should compromise their Christian principles and values for the sake of their spouse or extended family. Even your own person needs to drop to the background. Jesus must increase as we decrease. Think about it: have you counted the cost of being Christ’s disciple?