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Jul 28, 2026 06:00am

The Cost of Discipleship

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Sacrificing something you love is incredibly difficult.

We naturally become attached to people, pets, places, and even possessions. A favorite childhood toy. A worn-out pair of shoes. A family home. These things become part of our lives, and when they’re taken away—or when we have to let them go—it hurts.

Sometimes loss comes unexpectedly. A car breaks down. Clothes wear out. A beloved pet dies. But sometimes the harder choice is the one we make ourselves. Sometimes following God means willingly letting go of something we dearly love.

I experienced that as a child.

I grew up next door to my grandparents, aunts, and uncle on my dad’s side. I saw them every day. I never knew life without my extended family being such a constant part of it. Then, when I was seven years old, my dad accepted God’s call to become an associate pastor halfway across the country. My parents left behind both of their families to obey where God was leading them.

At seven years old, I couldn’t appreciate how difficult that decision must have been for them. I only knew how much I missed everyone. Suddenly, the people I loved most were over a thousand miles away. But as I grew older, I realized my parents hadn’t simply moved—they had counted the cost of following God’s call.

That’s exactly what Jesus speaks about in Luke 14:25-35.

A large crowd was following Him, but many were simply curious. They wanted to hear Him teach and see His miracles, but Jesus wasn’t interested in gathering spectators. He was building a kingdom, and that required committed disciples, not fascinated onlookers.

So Jesus said something startling:

“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

At first glance, those words seem harsh. Are we really supposed to hate our families?

No. Jesus is using deliberate exaggeration to make a comparison. Our love and devotion to Him should be so great that every other relationship pales in comparison. He was calling His followers to love Him above everything else—even if obedience meant leaving behind the people they loved most.

For those listening, this wasn’t theoretical. They couldn’t call home, send a text, or drive back for the holidays. Following Jesus often meant leaving family behind with no guarantee they would ever see them again.

We see this kind of commitment throughout the Gospels. Peter left home to follow Jesus. James and John walked away from their fishing business and their father, Zebedee. They didn’t stop loving their families, but they understood that God’s kingdom had to come first.

Jesus then compared discipleship to building a tower or preparing for war. A wise builder counts the cost before laying the foundation. A wise king considers whether his army is ready before entering battle. In the same way, anyone considering following Christ must understand what it may require.

Discipleship is costly.

It may cost comfort. Relationships. Dreams. Opportunities. Reputation. For some believers around the world, it even costs their freedom or their lives.

Jesus doesn’t hide that reality. He wants people to know exactly what they’re signing up for because He knows He is worth every sacrifice.

He closes by saying that salt is good, but if it loses its usefulness, it is thrown away. A disciple unwilling to fully commit is like tasteless salt—unable to fulfill the purpose for which it was intended.

Every believer eventually faces this question:

Am I willing to let go of whatever stands between me and wholehearted obedience to Christ?

Jesus isn’t looking for a crowd of curious spectators.

He is calling sold-out disciples.