In Matthew 18:18–22 we get a glimpse at what the cost is to follow Jesus. If you really want to follow the Lord, you must consider the result. Jesus says that we will be hated by this world. Hated! We will not be famous, respected, loved, accepted... by this world. In fact, following Christ absolutely brings about a life of suffering and despair. But there is no other way to be a Christian—the "Christianity" that we know and which the world uses to define us, is not true. It is not even a reflection of what the word "Christian" should be—a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Just yesterday I heard an atheist on the radio say that "Christians do not believe what they say they believe; they 'worship' on the Sabbath and praise a God whom they have no passion for, or connection with at any moment for the rest of the week.
I don't want this to define me. I don't want this to define me.
Thus, we must count the cost (Luke 14:28). The first man approaches Jesus—he takes the initiative (Matthew 8:19). This man was overcome with excitement and zeal to follow Jesus. Jesus responded, "foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (v. 20). In essence, Jesus replied to the man's zeal by saying, you will lose everything, there is no worldly comfort in following me. All you get is Me, the only comfort you will find is My presence and word. But you will have no home... for you will never find your true home on this earth. And what was the man's reply? He had none...
With this first man we see that following Christ—being a [genuine] Christian—is not marked by zeal, or emotion. Discipleship is marked by consistency and longevity. Where is your heart? Are you a "Christian" because you can get "excited" about Him during worship music? Or, are you truly following the Lord of Lords, who calls you to leave everything to follow Him?
This first man is the plant that quickly sprouted, but had no root and was burned and killed in the scorching sun (Mark 4:5–6). Do you get excited about Jesus during camps, and retreats, and D-Now, and Summer Mission Trips, etc. etc., but rarely have any intimacy with Him otherwise? Are you really seeking Christ, or merely an emotional experience?
After this first man, we see the response of another to follow Jesus. The man said, "please let me go bury my father, then I will come follow you" (v.21). Most likely the guy's father was not literally dead, but instead, the man had strong ties with his family and wanted to wait to receive his inheritance. Once he had solidified some connections, and built up some security, then he would follow Jesus.
This man is the seed that fell amongst thorns (Mark 4:7). The things of this world are distracting him and preventing him from following the Lord. Jesus' reply to him was, "Follow Me... let the dead bury their own dead" (v.22). Jesus said, those who are attached to this world, even with wealth, or success, or sex, of family, or pleasure, or happiness, or vacations, or any other thing, they are still dead. The only life worth anything is one that is entombed to the teaching and way of Christ. Any other life has no life at all.
Are you one of these men? Or are you truly following the Lord? If you're honest with yourself, then you're probably just like me—too comfortable to let go of the things of this world; too prideful to bow low to Christ; too much attached to this world to to consider growing close to the God who tells us to forsake this world.
