Count the Costs

One day a bunch of men and women went to listen to a preacher who had a growing reputation around their city. They had all heard stories of how eloquently he spoke, of how the truth he shared came with authority and insight. They called him relevant. He had a sense of humor.

Many were intrigued by his ideas (that they heard in bits and pieces) of a new approach to government, or his talk of “good news.” Some in the crowd even spoke of rumors that when this man was around wonderful things would happen: people were healed or miraculously fed or had their sins forgiven. Supposedly no one who listened to him speak was able to return home quite the same. And best of all, admission was free.

So the people came in droves to find out what all the hype was about. Some just to enjoy the show, others really hoping their lives could be changed. Many came only to see what this man could offer them.

The preacher stood up before the congregation and all the voices hushed. Now was his chance to give them what they came for. He had pulled the crowd, he just had to close the deal.

And then he did something strange. He asked them to count the costs. He asked that they consider their present circumstances, their comfort and peace and security and all of the things they held on to and loved with their whole hearts, their families and friends, their homes and money, even their very lives. He asked them how much they were worth.

“What King,” he continued, “before he sent his country to war wouldn’t sit down first and count his troops? Wouldn’t he need to know how much he stood to lose? Wouldn’t he need to know if the odds were in his favor?” (Luke 14:31,32)

We are going to war, he was saying, and I will tell you the cost: you will lose everything.

“Are you okay with that?” he asked, “Will you give up everything you have? All of those things? If you want to follow me, if you want what I have to offer, then that is exactly what it will take.” (Luke 14:33)

What was he thinking?

Jesus often stood before an audience that scripture said numbered well into the thousands, many of whom were probably waiting with itching ears to hear what they wanted to hear: that they would be blessed, that they would prosper and that God wanted their best lives now. Maybe if they heard it that way, if they heard that good news, then they would go out and tell their friends, they would bring more thousands upon more thousands and Jesus would have the biggest church in town. But Jesus wasn’t looking for bigger crowds, he was looking for disciples, so instead of a positive spin he spoke to them the truth.

Jesus wants men and women who have counted the costs and are ready to lay down their lives for the fight. Why? Because we have faith that the odds are in our favor. We know that our King will win the war, and that we share in his victory.

The focus of our hope isn’t the tiny blessings here and now. We put our trust in the enormous blessings of a God who is all about eternity. By faith we declare that His mission of salvation is what matters most to us. To follow Christ means following in his sacrifice. It means putting to death all that separates us from God and then giving all of ourselves for others that they may know our hope is real.

Jesus meant it when he said we must be willing to give up everything, because in losing all we have we stand to gain even more. We gain a place in the presence of God from whom all blessings flow. Any Gospel that says less is not the Gospel.

Now which Good News will you go out and preach?