When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

All things of value have a cost. This is a universal rule. The cost may not always be money, but there is always a cost. Taking a free antique table and refinishing it has a cost in the supplies, the equipment, and the time it takes to take a worn down table and make it shine again.

I highly value my children. My wife and I made plans for them before they were born. And when they were born they cost us a lot of money, time, resources, and love and care to raise as God would have us raise them.

The goal of acquiring valuable things that cost us something is that the value they bring us over time will outweigh the cost to acquire and build them up or restore them.

Jesus offers something of great value. It is a free gift, however to receive it with the right heart. We must count the cost of allowing this gift to change our lives. One of his followers touted this vague notion of loyalty by saying he would follow him anywhere. Jesus asked him to consider the cost of this: you will have no place to call home and will be considered a wanderer.

Another follower said he would “follow, but first …”. Have I “but, first”-ed God in the past? Yes, honestly I have. Jesus did not take kindly to being “but, first”-ed. Sometimes being on mission with Jesus will require sacrifice and a single-minded focus on the gospel.

Some have read way more into these verses than I believed Jesus intended. He intended for them to be concrete, “hit the streets”-types of examples that people could understand. Following Jesus is not a one-time prayer with a club invitation. It is a lifetime commitment.

Lord, thank you for your insight into our heart motives when we verbally claim to follow you. Cut me to the core with conviction on my sinful heart, so I may be purified, sanctified, and full of your Spirit. Then I will be the type of follower you want.