7.2 The Cost of Discipleship
The Way of the Cross: The Cost and Value of Discipleship

Read Mark 8:31–38. What does Jesus teach here about the cost of discipleship?

In Mark 8:31–38, Jesus confronts His disciples with a harsh truth: following Him comes at a high price. After the disciples have recognized Jesus as the Messiah, He reveals the true nature of His mission, which involves suffering, rejection, and ultimately death before the resurrection. This message was so shocking that Peter, who had just confessed Jesus as the Messiah, tried to dissuade Him. But Jesus rebukes Peter sharply, indicating that Peter has not yet grasped the divine perspective.

The “cost of discipleship” means that the disciples must be willing to take up their own cross and follow Jesus, even if it means losing their own lives. The cross, a symbol of shame and death, now becomes a sign of radical devotion to Christ. Jesus presents a profound paradox: whoever seeks to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for His sake will find it. This reversal of human logic challenges the disciples and us today to reevaluate our lives, priorities, and faith.

The price Jesus demands from His followers is nothing less than total commitment—the willingness to remain faithful even in the most challenging times and to place one’s life in God’s hands. Yet Jesus also makes it clear that this price is infinitely worth it compared to what is gained—the eternal life. It is the choice to sacrifice something transient in order to gain something everlasting.

This passage urges us to reflect on how we are called to bear our own “cross” in everyday life, whether through sacrifice, renunciation, or enduring difficulties, trusting that this path leads to true life.

“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). How have you experienced the reality of these words?

The words from John 12:25 are challenging and require deep reflection on what it means to truly place one’s life in God’s hands. They speak of a radical devotion where holding onto earthly things, goals, and securities is relinquished in favor of a life entirely oriented towards the eternal Kingdom of God.

In my own life, I have experienced the reality of these words in various situations where I had to choose between what seemed comfortable and secure and what I recognized as God’s call. There were moments when I felt compelled to let go of my own desires, plans, or expectations to follow what God required of me. These decisions were often difficult because they meant giving up things that seemed valuable—whether it was a career opportunity, a relationship, or simply a sense of security.

However, in those moments, I also found that relinquishing my own will and trusting in God’s guidance led to a deeper fulfillment and inner peace that I hadn’t known before. Often, the reward did not come in the form of material gain or visible success but in a deeper relationship with God, a strengthened faith, and a greater clarity about the meaning of my life.

These words also remind me that eternal life is not just a distant goal but begins when we align our priorities with God’s Kingdom. It’s about making daily choices that reflect what truly matters—love, justice, mercy, and dedication to God’s will. By placing these principles at the forefront, I have experienced how God has fulfilled my life in ways far beyond what I could have hoped for by clinging to my own desires.

In summary, I have learned that true freedom and deeper fulfillment lie in not anchoring our lives too closely to the things of this world but in surrendering them to God and trusting Him to guide us on the path that leads to true life—both here on earth and in eternal life.

The connection between what Jesus teaches about the cost of discipleship in Mark 8:31–38 and our daily lives and faith is fundamental to our daily Christian walk. This passage challenges us to continually evaluate our priorities, actions, and faith in light of the cross. Here are some key connections:

1. Willingness to Sacrifice in Daily Life: Taking up one’s cross means being prepared to make sacrifices in our everyday lives. This could involve giving up personal comfort, material possessions, or recognition to follow Jesus and do His will. It calls us to choose the path of devotion and service in both small and large decisions, even when it is difficult.

2. Reevaluating Priorities: Jesus makes it clear that gaining eternal life is more important than any earthly achievement. This means we need to regularly reassess our priorities. In a world that often emphasizes success, wealth, and self-fulfillment, this text reminds us that true life is found in following God’s will and placing His Kingdom first.

3. Trust in Difficult Times: Following Christ often involves challenges and difficulties. During such times, we are called to place our trust in God’s plan and guidance, even when the path is rough. This trust can help us persevere and strengthen our faith, even when external circumstances are challenging.

4. Eternal Perspective: Jesus’ teaching in Mark 8 encourages us to view life from an eternal perspective. This means evaluating our actions and decisions not just by what benefits us now but by what has eternal significance. This perspective helps us make bold decisions and focus on what truly matters.

5. Living in Freedom and Fulfillment: Paradoxically, letting go of earthly securities and clinging to Christ leads to a deeper freedom and fulfillment. By releasing our own desires and embracing God’s plan, we experience the true freedom that comes from living according to His presence and principles.

These principles are not just theological concepts but practical guidelines to help us navigate our daily lives. They challenge us to take discipleship seriously in all areas—whether in family, work, or society—and to align ourselves with the eternal life that God has prepared for us.

True discipleship means having the courage to take up the cross, trusting that the path of sacrifice leads to true life.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-7-teaching-disciples-part-1-7-2-the-cost-of-discipleship-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

August 11, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Matthew Chapter 12

¹ At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

² But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

³ But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

⁴ How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

⁵ Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

⁶ But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

⁷ But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

⁸ For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

⁹ And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

¹⁰ And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

¹¹ And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

¹² How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

¹³ Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

¹⁴ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

¹⁵ But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

¹⁶ And charged them that they should not make him known:

¹⁷ That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

¹⁸ Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

¹⁹ He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

²⁰ A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

²¹ And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

²² Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

²³ And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

²⁴ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

²⁵ And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

²⁶ And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

²⁷ And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

²⁸ But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

²⁹ Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

³⁰ He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

³¹ Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

³² And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

³³ Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

³⁴ O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

³⁵ A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

³⁶ But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

³⁷ For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

³⁸ Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

³⁹ But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

⁴⁰ For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

⁴¹ The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

⁴² The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

⁴³ When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

⁴⁴ Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

⁴⁵ Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

⁴⁶ While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

⁴⁷ Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

⁴⁸ But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

⁴⁹ And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

⁵⁰ For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

The 13th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew is a central teaching in Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven. It contains a series of parables that not only explain the nature and dynamics of the Kingdom of God but also the response of people to it. These parables, told by Jesus to the people and his disciples, offer profound insights into spiritual truths and at the same time challenge reflection on one’s own faith and life.

Commentary

In Matthew 13, Jesus begins his teaching with the Parable of the Sower. This parable illustrates the different reactions of people to the Word of God, symbolized by the various types of soil onto which the seed falls. The seed represents the Word of God, while the different soils represent the hearts and attitudes of people. Some hear the Word but do not understand it, so it is taken away by the “birds,” a symbol of evil. Others initially receive the Word with joy, but without deep roots, it withers in the face of trouble. Yet others are overwhelmed by the worries and riches of this world, causing the Word to be choked and bear no fruit. Only the seed that falls on good soil produces abundant fruit, in varying amounts depending on the readiness of the heart.

Jesus explains to his disciples that he speaks in parables to reveal spiritual truths to those who are willing to understand. He quotes Isaiah to show that many people, despite their ability to hear and see, are spiritually deaf and blind. The parables, therefore, are a method to reveal the deep mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to those who are spiritually receptive, while those with hardened hearts do not understand them.

The chapter continues with more parables, such as the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat, the Mustard Seed, the Yeast, and others, each shedding light on different aspects of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat emphasizes the coexistence of good and evil until the time of the harvest, which symbolizes the end of the world. It becomes clear that God will make the final separation of good and evil. These parables highlight God’s patience and His sovereign control over judgment.

Particularly notable are the parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value, which illustrate the immense and incomparable worth of the Kingdom of Heaven. These parables urge listeners to give up everything else to gain the most valuable treasure, the Kingdom of Heaven.

At the end of the chapter, the reaction of Jesus in his hometown of Nazareth is described. Despite his wisdom and mighty works, he is rejected, illustrating the hardness of human hearts and the difficulty of accepting true spiritual authority.

Summary

Matthew Chapter 13 provides a deep and comprehensive teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven through the various parables Jesus told. These parables reveal the different reactions to the Word of God, the coexistence of good and evil until the final judgment, and the incomparable value of the Kingdom of God. Additionally, the chapter shows how Jesus faces unbelief in his own hometown, underscoring his message and the necessity of faith. The parables invite listeners to examine their own hearts and to seek and preserve the precious truth of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 54—The Good Samaritan

This chapter is based on Luke 10:25-37.

Read online here

 

Commentary

Introduction

Chapter 54 of “The Life of Jesus” delves into the Parable of the Good Samaritan, a story that conveys profound lessons about true religion and neighborly love. Jesus uses this parable to emphasize the importance of compassion and practical love, which go beyond mere formalism. It demonstrates that the true expression of faith lies in the willingness to help others, regardless of their cultural or religious differences. In a time when self-righteousness and exclusion were prevalent, Jesus places the commandment of love above all other commandments.

Commentary

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus’ most profound and instructive parables, revealing the essence of true religion. It is not about outward rituals or formal religious practices, but about the active exercise of love, compassion, and mercy towards others, regardless of their background, faith, or social status. Jesus uses this story to expose the hypocritical attitude of the religious leaders of his time and to highlight the central importance of neighborly love.

The Good Samaritan represents the contrast between theoretical religiosity and practical, living love for one’s neighbor. While the priest and the Levite—religious authorities—pass by the injured man, it is the Samaritan, an outsider, who demonstrates true divine mercy. The parable underscores that true piety is not about distancing oneself from others but about caring for those in need and standing by them in their distress.

Through this parable, Jesus challenges his listeners and all believers to live out God’s love not just in words but in actions. He shows that a true neighbor is not just someone close to us, but anyone who needs our help. This teaching is a call to break down barriers of prejudice and self-righteousness and to cultivate an attitude of impartial mercy.

Summary

The Parable of the Good Samaritan powerfully illustrates the necessity of placing love for one’s neighbor and mercy above formal religious practices. Jesus makes it clear that true religion is not in the mere observance of rituals but in actively helping those in need. The Samaritan, who shows compassion despite cultural hostility, serves as a model of genuine divine love. The parable challenges us to break down barriers and see every person as our neighbor, whom we can help. This teaching remains a timeless reminder that love for God and our neighbor is the essence of the law and the life of faith.

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 55—Not With Outward Show

This chapter is based on Luke 17:20-22.

Read online here

 

Commentary

Chapter 55 focuses on Jesus’ central message that the Kingdom of God is not manifested through outward signs or worldly power, but rather begins within the individual. This teaching sharply contrasted with the expectations of the Pharisees and many Jews, who were anticipating a visible, earthly kingdom. Jesus emphasized that the Kingdom of God is a spiritual state that grows in the hearts of believers, independent of external circumstances or worldly forms of government.

Jesus taught his disciples that the true glory of his mission does not lie in worldly splendor, but in the spiritual renewal of individuals through the Holy Spirit. It was only after his ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that the disciples fully grasped the scope of Jesus’ mission. They came to understand that Christ’s kingdom is not established through earthly laws or power structures, but through the transformation of the heart and the following of Christ.

This message remains relevant today: the Kingdom of God is not built through political power or external reforms, but through inner renewal and living according to the teachings of Christ. Believers are called to seek not worldly glory, but to walk in humility and self-denial, following the path of Christ, who brought true light and life into the world.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/12-08-2024-matthew-chapter-13-believe-his-prophets/