We must never compromise the message because of our compassion for the audience.

Following Jesus: Sacrifice

By Jim Carpenter

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” ~ Luke 9:57, 58 (ESV) 

READING: Luke 9:57-62 

The late A.W. Tozer is reputed to have criticized “easy-believism” by characterizing it this way: “I want some of your blood for the forgiveness of my sins, but I don’t have any intention of following you or obeying you, and now if you’ll excuse me I’d like to get on with my life.”

Church planters have to fight against the desire to “make decisions” rather than make disciples. We must never compromise the message because of our compassion for the audience.

Jesus’ dialogue with this man who promised to follow Him is instructive. If Jesus had been a modern evangelist, He might have congratulated the man for his “decision.” Instead Jesus told him he hadn’t counted the cost. Essentially He said, “You think you’re willing to follow Me wherever I go? You don’t have any idea where I’m going. The Son of Man doesn’t even have a place to lay His head.”

Following Christ takes us out of our “comfort zone.” It requires sacrifices of many kinds. Sometimes the sacrifices are financial. Sometimes following Christ requires that we sacrifice some friendship or family ties. Every true disciple of Christ must sacrifice his or her own will and plan for Christ’s. 

In truth, following Jesus costs us everything. And He is worth it. 

Father, Thank You for calling me to follow Jesus. Help me to proclaim the truth to others without compromise. And thank You that any sacrifice is worth knowing Christ! Amen. 

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