27Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple. 28For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is unable to finish [the building], all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’ Luke 27-30 AMP
For everyone living in a capitalist system, money is the beginning and end of most decisions/considerations. We determine most of our abilities to do something new in regards to whether we can financially or mentally support it. In this case Jesus is talking to people who are listening to his message, and even to his disciples. As Christ carried his cross to calvary, and before then carried the burdens/weight of a rebellious and unbelieving people during his ministry. Jesus knew the purpose of his ministry, the cost that he would pay, and ultimately the victory that he would have at the end. Because he understood the victory he would experience at the end, he was able to bear the burden of the cross, ministry, and disappointment of an unbelieving nation. Here he is instructing those who were following him, and us who read his word, and desire to follow him that we have our own crosses to carry like he did. The cross that we carry is the sin we’ve committed, the weight of the people we’re called to walk with and minister to, and ultimately representative of the death to self that we experience in following Jesus. However, before we do all of this Jesus instructs us to count the cost and determine if we have the faith to complete it before we start. Many people hear the message of Christ and imagine an easy life full of blessings, and a happy ending where they reach heaven wearing all white to an infinite number of angels blowing trumpets, playing harps, and worshipping God. Jesus here is saying that the road to heaven will in fact be an uncomfortable one where we WILL suffer for our faith, we WILL be tempted by the devil and our own selfish desires, AND we WILL be rejected because of our faith. Jesus makes this hit close to home when he mentions the ridicule that one would experience if they were to begin the christian walk and then fall short and quit. Not only would this individual miss heaven, but they would have the additional shame of having to walk amongst the same people who they may have formerly witnessed to, or even have recently condemned while they were following Christ. The body of Christ has experienced many people who didn’t count the cost before undertaking the walk just to quit and lose themselves while also blocking others who may have sincerely wanted to believe from picking up their cross because of the bad example. In the old testament it is said that it is better not to vow then to vow and not keep it, Jesus verifies that in teaching to count the true cost before making a decision that requires full investment and conviction.
4If you make a promise to God, keep your promise. Don’t be slow to do what you promised. God is not happy with fools. Give God what you promised to give him. 5It is better to promise nothing than to promise something and not be able to do it. 6So don’t let your words cause you to sin. Don’t say to the priest,5:6 priest Or “angel” or “messenger.” This might be an angel, a priest, or a prophet. “I didn’t mean what I said.” If you do this, God might become angry with your words and destroy everything you have worked for. Ecclasiastes 5:4-6 ERV
Reflection Time
Are you carrying YOUR cross? If not, what is preventing you from doing so? What areas do you need help in carrying your cross? Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Understand that nobody understands or realizes what the cost or sacrifices they’ll have to make before beginning, but one can and MUST be honest with themselves about what they are willing to do. Trust that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will provide you the strength AND guidaince needed to endure AND complete your journey effectively.
