And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

–Parallel verses:
Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭25‬-‭27‬‬‬
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

People pay a price for things they treasure. Some pay highly for diamonds, boats, houses, clothes or vacations. Others pay highly for education, taking care of family, businesses, and relationships.

Jesus is saying here in Luke 14 that the cost of discipleship is high. He does not say the cost of “being a fan” is high. It’s like a baseball game. Fans pay for a ticket. The players pay over a lifetime, by dedicating their lives to developing a skill. Thousands of hours of practice, drills, learning about and honing their craft. They also pay a price as their bodies wear out from performing at a high level. But the reward can be millions of dollars a year. Some make close to $40 million a year.

John the Baptist was a true disciple. He spoke the truth of God no matter the personal cost to himself. And he spoke it in love. I think it is purposeful that the writer records that he both exhorted the people and preached the good news of a life in right standing with God. He was not just pointing out faults. He was calling out sin, so the goodness he preached could shine and be attractive. And the cost of calling out sin with Herod was imprisonment. Torture, starvation, ill treatment, isolation, loss of income and slander were all likely results of his confrontation with this worldly leader. But John did not care. He had ALREADY MEASURED THE COST of being a disciple. Later in Luke 14, it talks about a man who is preparing to build a tower: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” (Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭28‬-‭30)‬ ‭John the Baptist had already estimated the cost of following God and proclaiming the truth. He knew it would cost him dearly on this earth. He was aiming for heavenly rewards.

What will following Jesus cost me (or you)? Have we measured the cost ahead of time to prepare our hearts to share in the sufferings of Jesus? The Apostle Paul challenges Timothy this way: “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
‭‭(II Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬)

Lord, help me to continue to measure the costs and remember my heavenly rewards for serving you. You look out for me.

Jesus, you have me in your hand and allow me to suffer as you did to be a light in dark places and win some to you in the process. Praise your name!