Now huge crowds were going along with [Jesus], and He turned and said to them, 26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters–[yes] and even his own life also–he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, wishing to build a farm building, does not first sit down and calculate the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to complete [the building], all who see it will begin to mock and jeer at him, 30 Saying, This man began to build and was not able (worth enough) to finish. 31 Or what king, going out to engage in conflict with another king, will not first sit down and consider and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand [men] to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if he cannot [do so], when the other king is still a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks the terms of peace. 33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple.

These verses explain discipleship. A disciple of Christ is an ACTIVE adherent of the values of Christ. Participation and involvement in living out the principles Jesus taught is a disciple. Jesus wanted us to carefully consider what is involved to truly, follow Him. Count the Cost…. The price of discipleship is harsh. Following Jesus is not easy. The Lord does not say being his disciple is going to be easy. He said it is going to be difficult and first, we better sit down to count the cost.

We need to take into account and determine whether or not we are willing to pay the price to go all the way with Jesus. We have to willing abandon everything for the cause of Christ to be a true disciple.

Jesus laid everything out about following Him. He held nothing back. He wants us to contemplate all he is requiring of us. The forsaking of everything, taking up our cross and loving the Lord first and foremost, requirements we better not get started in if we can not finish or are not willing to finish. Count the cost….. Intense tough words but the truth of the total commitment Jesus demands of us to be His true disciples.

Luke 14:28