Following Jesus costs something and is worth everything
by Jane Mueller
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Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27).
Read Luke 14:25–33
Jesus never sugar-coated what it means to follow him. In Luke 14, he doesn’t pitch discipleship as a part-time hobby or a feel-good label. Instead, he speaks of cost: carrying your cross, counting the price and surrendering everything.
Pastor Andy Stanley puts it plainly: ‘Jesus never invited anyone to become a Christian. He invited us to follow.’
Stanley asserts that many of us are comfortable claiming the title of ‘Christian’ and challenges us by asking, ‘But are you a Jesus follower?’ Being a Christian costs nothing: the price has been paid, we believe in Jesus, and we receive the gift of salvation and forgiveness. Easy!
But following Jesus costs us something.
Following Jesus cost the first disciples their comfort, their careers and even their relationships. They abandoned their old lives and the things they thought were true to walk with Jesus. They moved beyond what was reasonable and expected. They opened their hearts to an unorthodox worldview, counter-cultural values and a new way of being. They adopted a kingdom mindset in which enemies are loved, generosity is extravagant, and reconciliation matters more than rules and rituals. They didn’t just believe; they rearranged their entire lives around Jesus.
Do you settle for belief without surrender? The name without the journey?
Jesus calls us beyond the title of ‘Christian’ into the daily, often costly, reality of discipleship.
It’s not a guilt trip; it’s an invitation. To follow Jesus is to step into a life richer and riskier than we imagined. To release what holds us back and to trust that what Jesus offers in return – peace, purpose and his presence – is worth everything.
Jesus, help me move beyond belief into true discipleship. Teach me what it means to follow you, especially when it requires a cost. Please give me the courage to let go of anything that competes with you. I want to walk with you: fully, faithfully and without fear. Amen.
Jane is a former Lutheran school principal and now serves as Governance Leadership Director for Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA. Jane has a keen interest in psychology, enjoys hiking and loves learning about and trying new things.
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