The Cost of Discipleship

Summary

The cost of salvation is free to us because Jesus paid it all on the cross; free does not mean easy. The cost of following Jesus as a disciple is great because it requires renouncing the life we have been saved from and walking the new life we have been saved to. Those who hoping following Jesus will make their lives more comfortable or without hardship, will become quickly disillusioned as they are lead into difficult places. Being a disciple can often require forgoing every economic and social benefit you currently enjoy for the sake of following Jesus. This was the case of Matthew, the tax collector, who when called by Jesus to “Follow me” literally left all the wealth, power, and influence he had (and stood to gain) serving the king of Rome to follow Jesus. Matthew responded to Jesus call by celebrating with his fellow sinners and introducing them to his new king.

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