“Count The Cost Then Follow”
Friday, May 10, 2024Key Verse
“And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:21-22).
Text — Matthew 8:18-22
Message
Matthew was a revenue collector for the Roman government. Even though he was a Jew, he worked for the hated Roman authorities, collecting taxes on caravan traffic on the roads, taxes on ships coming into the harbor, and duties on imported goods. He had a reasonable and regular income from his legitimate employment and like other tax collectors, could have earned additional income by exacting more money than the regular tax. One day, Jesus met him and called him to follow his band of disciples. Immediately, Matthew left everything and followed Christ. He gave up his employment and benefits and became a disciple. That is the cost of discipleship.
Discipleship always comes at a cost. One may not need to leave his education or employment; sell all that he/she has or literally forsake friends and family. But discipleship does involve forsaking our selfish ambition, carnal cravings and worldly amusements to follow the teachings of Christ. It involves cross-bearing and self-abnegation to fulfil the will of God. To be a disciple today, you must be born again and serve God with true holiness.
Quote
It involves cross-bearing
Challenge
Follow the Master, learn and do what He teaches.
Prayer for today
All to Jesus, I surrender; all to Him, I freely give. Amen!
About Author - Pastor W.F. Kumuyi
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
