DCLM Higher Everyday 10 May 2024 — Count The Cost Then Follow
Topic: Count The Cost Then Follow
Text: Matthew 8:18-22
18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
19And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
20And 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.
21And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
22But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Key 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).
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!
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
