Is it time for us to count the cost too?

Combining the Gospel accounts is so intriguing, and no one can have a definitive solution to whether certain events happened more than once, certain phrases and instructions were repeated or only said once, certain times and seasons passed between one paragraph and the next... But we do know Jesus lived and walked and taught. And we do know that what he taught changed the world. He said he was the Son of Man, and he even said "I am." So will we follow him?

(61) The Cost of Discipleship

The Feast of Tabernacles is over, and Jesus has most likely returned to Galilee. John’s Gospel continues with Jesus back in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah: John 10:22) in winter. But first we join the disciples in the northern wilds of the country…

Read Matthew 8:18-22, Luke 9:57-62 Jesus sails from one side of the lake to the other with his fishermen disciples and walks along a road, teaching and preaching. But what does it cost to join that discipleship team?

1.       Read Matthew 8:20, Luke 9:58. In what sense is this true of Jesus? Are there times when you’ve felt it was true of Christians? Or of you?

2.       Read Matthew 8:21-22, Luke 9:59-60. When someone died, the family would gather. Professional mourners would wail until the body was ready. Then the body would be carried to the tomb and the family would grieve for a week. A year later, the bones would be removed and reburied in a box in the tomb wall. Taking care of a father was hugely important, but… why is the son here, not already at the imminent funeral? Or is he asking for a year’s delay? Or, more likely, is he just asking to wait until his elderly parent dies? I always thought Jesus’ statement sounded cruel, but… What do you think Jesus meant, and what does this mean to you?

3.       Read Luke 9:61-62 Do you suppose Jesus’ remarks apply always, or just to this time when things are getting so close to critical?

a.       What holds us back from following?

b.      How do we balance duty to family, to country, and to the Kingdom?

According to Luke 10:1, 70/72 disciples are chosen and sent out ahead of Jesus, to prepare the ground for his arrival. Did you remember Luke is the only gospel writer to mention the 70? Why might that be?

1.       Read Luke 10:1 Why so many? Jesus used to simply enter a town with his disciples. Then he sent them out ahead of him (Matthew 10:5a). And now… What’s changed? Is Jesus sending us?

2.       Why two by two? Why/when might it be important to witness in groups rather than alone?

3.       Read Luke 10:2, Matthew 9:35-38 If these are really two separate events, what might disciples have thought, hearing Jesus repeating these words?

4.       Read Luke 10:3, Matthew 10:5-6 The prayer request is followed, both times, with a call to action. But how or when did the sheep turn into wolves? (Matthew 10:16 describes the lost sheep as wolves too.)

a.       Has God ever called you into action in response to your prayer?

b.      Have you ever seen open hearts closed? What makes people harden their responses to Jesus?

5.       Read Luke 10:4, Matthew 10:9-10 What baggage should we not carry when sharing the Gospel?

6.       Why shouldn’t they greet anyone on the road? And what might that mean to us…?

a.       What distracts us from sharing the Gospel?

7.       Read Luke 10:5-12, Matthew 10:11-15 The rules and consequences are the same. Remembering Jonah (and Jesus’ reference to the “sign of Jonah”) would these actions by the disciples mean those cities will suffer, or are they being warned?

a.       Do you remember other times when prophets have used actions rather than words?

b.      When might we use actions rather than words?

Are we ready to be sent out? Or have we already been sent out? What is the cost of our discipleship?