The Cost of Following Jesus (Luke 14:25-35)
Big Idea: Jesus calls us to count the cost and renounce all competing loyalties—possessions, comfort, and even family—to follow him with undivided devotion.
This month, my wife and I are marking the fifth anniversary of buying our first house. Whether to celebrate or mourn is still up for debate. Since moving in, we've renovated the kitchen and bathroom, replaced the roof, furnace, and chimney, and performed regular maintenance. Yet, despite all that effort—and the steep interest rate we’ve been paying—the value of our home has dropped by 10 to 15%. Let’s just say our celebration won’t rival Uncle Jed’s hootenanny.
Investments often appear very promising at first. I have a friend whose motto is, “Buy high, sell low.” When stocks or mutual funds are climbing, he buys; when they start to dip, he sells. The flawed strategy highlights an important truth: the Bible advises against making bad choices and depending on temporary good things.
Even if I lose $20,000 or more in my house, there's always going to be another $20,000, eventually… not so with your life. You've only been given one life, and you need to be careful in how you invest it.
At the height of his popularity, when large crowds were following Jesus, he turned around and said some shocking words:
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-27)
He shared two stories: one about a man who started building a tower but ran out of money, and another about a king who needed to evaluate his military strength before going to war. And listen to his conclusion:
So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33)
Jesus didn't want blind, naïve followers who hadn't anticipated the commitment he expects: full and absolute surrender.
Another time, a wealthy young man approached Jesus and asked the classic question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus' response challenged the man, leaving him dejected and realizing he didn't have the commitment needed to enter the kingdom of heaven.
This goes so counter to the way we think and operate. It's like catching a big fish and throwing it back in the lake. We have seeker-sensitive churches today. You could almost call Jesus seeker-insensitive at times, turning away large crowds and interested seekers.
Admittedly, following Jesus back then demanded a greater change of lifestyle than today. To be a disciple of Jesus meant that you left your livelihood and became homeless and ridiculed. But today the call to us is for a high level of commitment.
Three Questions
This morning, I have three questions about the commitment Christ requires: How much? why? and perhaps most importantly, how?
How Much?
About a year ago, I conducted a funeral. Often the strangest part of conducting a funeral is the ride to the cemetery. I ride in the lead car with the funeral conductor. I believe many funeral conductors are frustrated preachers, as I often hear a sermon during the drive to the cemetery.
A man theorized that while some religion can be helpful, excessive commitment to Christ can be harmful. How much commitment can Christ realistically expect?
Let's read what Jesus had to say himself, in Luke 9:
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:57-62)
When you read this passage, the commitment that Christ is expecting is unreal. In that day, many rabbis would travel as itinerant teachers. Most had a trade to support themselves, but they depended on the generosity of others for their daily provisions. As they traveled through Judea and Galilee, these rabbis trained disciples to become teachers like themselves.
When a man told Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go," he meant he wanted to become a disciple. Jesus said in effect, "You'll have to be more committed to me than to your possessions and comfort." "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Does following Christ cost us today in terms of our possessions and comfort? Absolutely. Take the young adult who was climbing the corporate ladder with ease. After becoming a Christian, she became less ruthless, stopped self-promoting, and chose not to undermine others to succeed. She chose to live a life that honors God and puts her family first, which makes her less promotable in the eyes of the world. Or consider the young missionaries who felt called to serve in Japan. They were advised to delay their mission and focus on building wealth through real estate in Toronto first. They opted to follow God's call rather than prioritize financial security. Then there’s the family living paycheck to paycheck. Despite their tight budget, they give generously and sacrificially to their local church. This means sacrificing luxuries like vacations or a new car in favor of long-term investments over short-term comforts. Following Christ comes at a price, but every sacrifice is immensely valuable.
In the next case, Jesus calls out to a man, "Follow me!" but the man says, "First I have to bury my father." What we have to realize is that, in all likelihood, this man's father was still alive. He was saying, "Jesus, I will wait to follow you until my father dies." Jesus replied, "Let the dead bury their dead," emphasizing that commitment to the kingdom takes priority over family duties.
Does following Christ today cost us in terms of our families? Sometimes in the Jewish culture of Jesus' day, following Christ would likely lead to alienation from your family. They would write you off for following this man who claimed to be Messiah. In the New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians, it's clear that some people who followed Christ experienced their spouses leaving them. Would you follow Christ if it meant the possible loss of those who are dearest to you?
And then another one says, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family." Seemingly a reasonable request, but what does Jesus say? "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
What kind of commitment does Jesus call for? Complete and total commitment, above families, possessions, and comfort—a radical commitment that leaves nothing behind.
1 Kings 11:4 describes Solomon's decline in faith as he grew older as king of Israel. Two words leap out at me as I read this verse.
For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
Solomon's heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God. Sometimes when I read this verse, I ask myself, "Am I wholly true to the Lord my God?" What would be written about me? Are you wholly true to the Lord your God?
Why?
In Matthew 6:24, Jesus said:
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
"Loving and hating" is a Jewish expression that signifies ultimately giving preference to one master over another. For centuries, people have believed they can serve two masters at once, but Scripture makes it clear: it’s impossible. True loyalty is undivided. To follow Christ means giving him our full devotion, not a part-time commitment. He calls us to an undivided heart, one that places him above all else.
Somebody once asked Jesus what the highest law is. Listen to his reply: "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30).
Why does Jesus ask for our full loyalty? Is it because he’s arrogant? Not at all. It’s because we’re dependent creatures, and he knows we’re going to serve someone. He calls us to focus our devotion entirely on him because serving anything else will ultimately lead to disappointment.
Money is useful. Jesus never condemns it.But it can’t satisfy the soul, and it certainly won’t help you when you die. Just look at Howard Hughes. Philosophies and ideologies may seem promising, but they rise and fall. Think of communism. A career can be fulfilling, but if it dominates your life, it can harm your family. The pursuit of pleasure may burn brightly for a time, but it always cools into the embers of regret. Friends can let you down, and political or religious leaders can fail. But Jesus says, “I never disappoint.” His call for exclusive devotion isn’t selfish—it’s rooted in His love for us.
What are the benefits of having Jesus as our master? There are many, but let’s highlight ten. He always has our ultimate good in mind—no other master can claim that. He’s compassionate and gracious, not demanding or relentless. Only God has the supernatural power to help, equip, and protect us. His truth leads to wisdom, not bondage. He sets boundaries for our behavior to protect us from harm. He transforms our outlook and attitudes, helping us live healthier, more meaningful lives. He gives us a mission that truly matters, with eternal significance. He builds community rather than tearing it down. He promises rewards both in this life and the next. And when life ends, He is the master you’ll want to have followed, because He satisfies the soul in ways nothing else can.
This isn’t a gamble—it’s a guarantee. If you give your life to Jesus Christ, He will never fail you. Think about the sacrifices Olympians endure in training or the hardships soldiers face in service. Why do we see discipleship as radical when God abundantly blesses those who are fully devoted to him? The cost is real, but the reward is infinitely greater.
We've asked two questions: how much and why. But perhaps the most important question this morning is this:
How?
How do I develop this full commitment to Jesus Christ? What is preventing you from fully committing to Christ? You need to let go of it.
If you met Jesus Christ in person, is there anything in your life that you would struggle to give up if he asked, like a possession, a secret sin, an attitude, or a relationship?
Who would you say is becoming the single greatest influence on your attitudes and behavior? Parents? Peer group? Who is it? Whose teachings are beginning to shape you the most?
What priorities did your calendar and checkbook for last month show? I'm not suggesting that 51% of your time and resources should go to God, but is there proof that you're serving God and others? If people knew what you gave to God in terms of money and time, would you be embarrassed?
When you pray, do you just list things that you want, or do you consistently tell God you're available? Do I have a mindset of trying to placate God, to try to just get by, or do I try to actively please God?
If you lost every possession and dollar you had, how shattered would you be?
Do you see yourself as a representative of Jesus Christ, living to uphold his reputation? Billy Graham said once, "I would rather be struck down dead than to discredit God."
Do you feel your heart is becoming more compassionate toward others, or is it getting more selfish?
Whatever is preventing you from fully committing to Christ, you need to let it go. Like the rich young ruler who valued his wealth over God, Jesus told him to give his riches to the poor in order to follow him.
Listen to this story:
At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of everything I did wrong so He knew whether I deserved heaven or hell when I die. He was out there kind of like the president. I recognize his picture when I see it, but I really didn't know him. But later on when I met Christ, it seemed that life was really like a bike ride. But it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was on the back helping me peddle. I don't know when it was that he asked me to change places, but my life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew that way. It was kind of boring but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when he took the lead, he knew delightful long cuts, through mountains and rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! And even though it looked like madness, he said, 'Peddle! Peddle!' I worried and was anxious and said, 'Where are you taking me?' He laughed and didn't answer, and I learned to trust. I forgot my boring life and I entered into the adventure."
I am a disciple of Christ. I won't look back, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, by present makes sense, my future is secure. I am finished with low living, sight walking, small thinking, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talk, chincy giving and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. My face is set, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough. But my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, associate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, let up, or shut up till I've preached up, paid up, stored up and staid up for the cause of Christ. I'm a disciple of Christ. I must go until He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till he stops. And when He comes to claim His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, because my colors are clear.
The call to follow Christ is not a half-hearted invitation, it’s a summons to total surrender. Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat the cost, but he also doesn’t leave us without hope. The truth is, every sacrifice we make for him pales in comparison to what we gain. Eternal life, forgiveness, purpose, and a relationship with the Creator are invaluable treasures that surpass any earthly investment.
So here’s the call to action: take stock of your life. What are you holding onto that’s keeping you from fully committing to Christ? Is it comfort, possessions, relationships, or fear of what others might think? Whatever it is, let it go. Jesus is worth it. He promises that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it (Matthew 16:25). Don’t settle for temporary gains that fade, invest your life in what lasts forever.
Today, commit to follow him wholeheartedly. Surrender your plans, your priorities, and your heart to the One who gave everything for you. Trust him with your life, and you’ll find that the cost of discipleship is far outweighed by the joy of knowing and serving him. The road may be narrow, but the destination is glorious. Will you take the step?
