The Cost of Following Jesus

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

Matthew 8:20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

What are the things you turn to when you hope to decompress and not have to think for a while? For some, there’s the TV show or series of movies you can binge on some streaming network. For others, scrolling through social media may be what you turn to. Others still may turn to comfort foods.

In Jesus’ day, when some came to him saying they were willing to follow Him anywhere, He responded by indicating that following Him has a high cost. “I don’t even have a bed to lay my head on at night. Are you willing to give up your home in order to follow me?” Or, “I know you have a commitment to bury your close relatives. Are you willing to let go of that commitment to follow me?” 

The principle He was teaching was clear to all who were listening: An essential step of discipleship is to identify the things we may not want to let go of, and then release them.

READING & PRAYERS:

     MATTHEW 8:18-34 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: What is at least one thing you know you would struggle to let go of in order to follow Jesus more closely? 

QUESTION: What would it looks like for you to begin to release this area of your life over to Jesus? 

Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, if I take one minute to reflect I can probably identify something that would be difficult to let go of in order to follow You more closely. But I know that if I took 30 minutes, or hours, or days to reflect, I would probably identify dozens or hundreds of things that I gravitate to instead of gravitating toward You. May I continue to recognize the cost of what it takes to follow You, and may I continue to be willing to lay down what I need to lay down in order to follow You. In Jesus name. Amen. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)