Daily Manna 25 May
KEY VERSE: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).
READ: LUKE 14:25-35 (KJV)
25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
The value one places on a thing determines how much one is willing to pay for it. Precious things do not normally come cheap. This is why investors and speculators after having done very careful and thorough calculations and projections are willing to commit and stake so much into a particular investment. In this teaching on discipleship, our Lord Jesus wanted the huge crowd following Him to know that the cost of following Him is not cheap.
There were many who obviously were following for wrong reasons. They either had been impressed by the many miracles and wonders He did or were hoping He was their expected Messiah to give them political independence. But Jesus did not want anyone to follow Him for the wrong reasons. He wanted them to be sure they knew why they were following Him.
To all who are willing to follow Him, Jesus made it clear that the cost of discipleship is high. There are many churchgoers today who profess to be following Christ but are not ready to pay the price. There are those who are madly in love with their denominations but do not have love for Christ. Unfortunately also, there are pastors who are satisfied with having large crowds but are not ready to spell out the true cost of disciples to their members.
As a Christian and follower of Christ, have you counted the cost and are you willing to stake all for Him? Are you willing to give up all your sins and indulgences that give you joy and pleasure but are displeasing to the Lord? How about those ungodly relationships and all the unlawful gains that seem to add some pep to your lifestyle? If family members, friends and colleagues should turn their backs on you because of your decision to follow Christ, will you still be willing to follow Him all the way?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The cost of following Christ may be high, but the gains are higher.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 SAMUEL 10 – 11
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Not a Cheap Call – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 25 May 2021
