How Much Is It?
Sunday, September 7th, 2025
Luke 14:25-33
- from “Avengers: Infinity Wars”
25 Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
How much does it cost? How many times a day do you ask this question of yourself or someone else? And is it only about money? Have you ever considered what something will “cost” you in time, effort, or health?
This is the only instance in the New Testament that the word “cost” is used. Cost is defined as what we give up to acquire, accomplish, maintain, or produce something. And Jesus seems to relate cost with discipleship in this teaching. Interesting!
Christians who also happen to be Lutherans understand salvation as a free gift given through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Eternal life is a gift that we cannot earn or deserve. How then does cost fit into our understanding of faith and our relationship with God?
What if discipleship—followership of Jesus—is our response to this gift of salvation? We are invited to emulate Jesus’ words and actions in our daily lives. To be changed. To be transformed. Not out of fear of hell, but instead out of joy and gratitude? Many people claim to be willing to die for their beliefs…how many of us are currently LIVING those sacred beliefs and values?
- Praying for our enemies…
- Welcoming the outcast…
- Giving to the poor…
These are generally not strategies to make us safer, more popular, or wealthier. And these are just a few of the costs that we might incur if we allow our lives to be altered by God’s priorities! Are we willing to pay the price?
