The Cost of Following Jesus Christ
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. …
He said to another man, ‘Follow Me.’ (Luke 9:51,59)
Uganda is a country where citizens are familiar with wars and gun fire. We have fought at world war fronts and in our local villages; ambushes by rebel fighters and Karimojong warriors before the disarmament robed us of our brothers and sisters and friends. One Gonahasa survived several such ambushes and vowed never to use roads but to always fly to his workplace in Kotido. After a few years, he felt confident to drive again, and on his way back with visitors from Kampala, just after Moroto town, they were ambushed and he was shot dead! It was always that costly working in a fire-infested region; many Christian and humanitarian workers and our dear armed forces risked their lives going to such places, and some paid the ultimate price – they were killed!
At one point in his life, Jesus lamented over the city of Jerusalem as one that killed prophets – a bloody city full of hypocrites; yet, even after many threats on his life and knowing fully the plan of his enemies, he ‘resolutely set out for Jerusalem’! Every Palm Sunday is an opportunity to remember Jesus’ triumphal entry – being received as a King, yet less than a week later there would be shouts of ‘crucify him!’ He foresaw all these things, and accepted God’s perfect will for the redemption of humankind, and He was willing to pay the full and ultimate price. There are lessons to learn from our Lord’s final journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-62).
The Samaritan opposition seems to have stemmed from a jealousy that was oblivious of Jesus’ final destination and the importance of this trip. Unfortunately, Jesus’ followers had to suffer and feel this resentment to the point of calling down fire - they were really angered. Jesus’ response (he stopped their intervention) shows us that some of the suffering has to be endured and perhaps is part of the cost of following this Master.
There were also half-hearted volunteers and those who gave various excuses when called, not knowing that the cost is much higher. There comes a time when following the Lord is not just fun and joking and comfortable business, but serious devotion and separating oneself from all that would distract and focusing on the caller and giver of divine direction. When you come to that point, be ready to pay the cost. It may be uncomfortable and painful today, but the joy of a race well run and fight well fought is immeasurably more. Just like those who for earthly causes have paid with blood, Jesus for the salvation of the world paid the ultimate price in Jerusalem on the cross. It will never cost you more – but you have to willingly surrender and yield when you hear his voice calling and saying, ‘Follow Me.’
God bless you!