Discipleship, as called for by Jesus, is a costly thing. Simon and Andrew had to leave their nets to follow Jesus. This is not a small cost. They left the method of provision. They left their lifestyle. These disciples left their family business for the sake of following Jesus and others left many other things. This was not always necessarily a financial cost to them though. It should be noted that James and John left their business in the care of their father and hired men (Mark 1:20). Matthew, on the other hand, left an opportunity for great wealth and favor with the Roman government to follow Jesus. Discipleship costs differently for every disciple. Jesus frames the cost of discipleship when He commissioned the twelve in Mathew 10.
The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it. – Matthew 10:37-39
It is a good thing this speech came at the commissioning and not the calling. Jesus paints a somewhat bleak picture of the cost of discipleship but what the disciple gains is worth it all! Notice Jesus doesn’t talk about the disciples being worthy of a job or title. Jesus says those who don’t forsake everything for Him aren’t worthy of Him. He is the goal! He is the prize! When one lost soul follows Jesus they gain eternal life. When a believer dedicates their life to becoming more like their Master, they gain the more abundant life Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. This life isn’t one of religious acts but of devotion, love, and obedience to Jesus. Charles Spurgeon stated, “We must have such a love to Christ that, for His sake, we could forsake all that we have; otherwise, we cannot be His disciples.” Some leave wealth to follow Jesus. Some leave family. Still, others leave status and comfort to surrender to the call of the Master. How can one do this? Is it mere strength of will that can enable someone to lay down everything to follow Jesus? Because true discipleship is rooted in a relationship with Jesus, the disciple does not face the cost of discipleship alone but is empowered to be a faithful follower, student, and witness by the power of the Holy Spirit which dwells within them. This divine equipping is what enables a man who is “prone to wander,” as the old song states, to stand boldly in the face of terror, trial, and temptation and still choose to honor the Master. The new creation in Christ is called to leave everything at the cross, pick theirs up, and follow Jesus; even to death.
Even for one to give their very life, Jesus is worth it. According to tradition, the only disciple who was not martyred for their Lord was John and that was not because people did not try. One of the last things we have recorded that Jesus said to Peter was “Follow me.” This came as Jesus was explaining what type of death Peter would endure (John 21:18-19). Not all who have followed Jesus have had to give up wealth or die a martyr’s death. Not all have had to leave behind family or jobs to be a disciple of Jesus. But every person who has chosen to answer the call to follow Jesus has done so at a cost. Regardless of that cost, Jesus is always worth it. Simon and Andrew had to give up their jobs. What is discipleship costing you? I’d venture to say that if you have not had to leave something for Jesus, you aren’t receiving the fullness of what He has in store for you.
Conclusion
When considering the call of Jesus to His disciples, we must consider whether we have answered this call as believers. Salvation must be followed by discipleship for one to be useful to the Kingdom of God. We must answer the call and then pledge every aspect of our lives to follow Him. We must be completely submitted to Jesus and be transformed by His life and teaching. As we do this, we must be aware that discipleship comes at a cost. Many have been called to leave lives of comfort for the sake of ministry. Others have been able to keep their job or status and still be transformed by their walk with Jesus. Still, some have given their very lives for the sake of following the Lord. At the end of the day, we must count the cost, deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. I pray that we would be those transformed into the likeness of Christ through discipleship; not satisfied with redemption but pursuing and submitting to His
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