Since when...

“A cheap Christianity, without a cross, will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown.” – J.C. Ryle

Since when did the gospel get to be so soft? And when did it become all about us? More importantly, why would we ever settle for a watered down version of Christianity that requires anything less than our wholehearted devotion to Jesus? The fact that we do is especially perplexing considering how the Scriptures, yes, the very words of Jesus, never support self-serving seeking or lukewarm living. Let’s briefly examine Christ’s clarification concerning the true cost of discipleship, as seen in Luke 14 and John 6.

The call is so great that it requires one’s very life. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes even his life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear is own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26-27).” This is anything but warm and fuzzy! This is actually quite anti-attractional. Jesus says that one’s family and friends – one’s very own life must be hated in comparison to Christ. One’s love for the various relationships and comforts of this world must be lesser than one’s desire for Jesus. And without this cross bearing, self-denying approach to following, discipleship cannot happen. As the Savior states only a few verses later, “Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:33).”

It is worth noting that Jesus turned and said these words to a large crowd that was following Him (v. 25). So evidently He was not concerned with building a larger nominal gathering; He cared not about their self-esteem or momentary happiness and ease of living. Rather Jesus lovingly challenged the multitude of people to count the cost before following Him any further. Again, how can one read Jesus’ words recorded by the good doctor Luke and yet fall into believing a faux-gospel built on earthly peace and prosperity? How can discipleship be seen as a mere religious ascent? Something that demands every fiber of my being cannot simply be tacked on to the rest of my life, no matter how sweet my intentions. Jesus says the life of a disciple will involve daily denial of self and the constant carrying of our crosses. Nowhere is it described as trouble-free or painless.

Of course, in John 6 the beloved disciple illustrates Jesus’ call all the more explicitly. After a couple of significant miracles – Jesus feeding the 5000 and then later walking on water, John says that a large crowd was seeking after Him. Our Savior identifies what they are truly after. “You are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of loaves (John 6:26).” Christ doesn’t scratch their itch but calls them out. He essentially identifies that the people are looking for another miracle, another physical blessing. They don’t want the Messiah; they want the marvelous things He can provide. And this is big! Longing for created things instead of the Creator is the grievous error of mankind (Romans 1:18-25). Instead of seeing the miraculous feeding of 5000 as validation of Christ’s divine nature, these “followers” saw Him as means to serving their wants. Instead of looking past this, Jesus addresses it head on. For the ones asking what they must be doing, Jesus answers with a straightforward reply, “This is the work of God, that you believe in whom He has sent (John 6:29).”

Jesus goes on to tell the gathered crowd that He is the bread of life (John 6:35) and that unless one eats of this bread, there is no life to be found (John 6:53). Again, when given the option of watering down truth to keep folks hanging around, Christ clarifies the cost of following after Him. Scripture tells us that this word landed so heavily upon the people that some turned back and no longer followed Him (John 6:66). Discipleship is not easy. To even say that it requires much is somewhat of an understatement. It will cost us everything! To the rich young ruler it meant trading his earthly riches for treasure in heaven (Luke 18:22). For the disciples it meant leaving their tax booths and fishing nets behind to become fishers of men. For all of us, following after Jesus will demand giving everything – losing our lives for the sake of Christ, to obtain life which is truly life in Him (Matthew 16:25, 1 Timothy 6:19).

When we hear this laid out plainly in the Gospels, we inevitably wonder how this can be. Who can possibly live this way? Who can forsake the tangible pleasures of life for an invisible God that promises adversity for all who take up His Name? Funny, that was the same kind of response given by the disciples as well. “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it (John 6:60)?” Praise God, the answer to this question is found in the same passage! “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all (John 6:63).” Did you catch that? Aware of their struggling with His teaching, Jesus reminds His disciples that on their own, they will never find victory. The flesh is useless! “Hey Jesus, how much help is the flesh?” His reply: “No help at all!”  "How much do we bring to the table?" "Nothing!" The Spirit gives life. It is the Spirit that enables us to come to the Father. The Spirit draws us away from our mere earthly existence; He loosens our grip from life’s trophies and trinkets. Remember when Jesus said that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God? The people who heard this asked how anyone could be saved. Listen again to Jesus’ reply. “What is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:25-27).”

Before we conclude, we must also observe how chapter 6 wraps up. After many would-be disciples deemed the demands of Christ as too great, Jesus asked the Twelve whether they also wanted to leave. Their response is worthy of our hearing today. Speaking on behalf of the crew, Peter said: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God.” Translation = “Jesus, we have counted the cost and You are worth it!” Why would we distance ourselves from the Holy One of God? Why would we ever accept a Christianity that was never preached by Christ? The pursuit of Jesus is a lifelong endeavor; it is messy, costly, and impossible without the promised Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, the experience of this writer can only echo the declaration of the first disciples – “Jesus is worth it!” He's worth the trials of discipleship - every sacrifice that is to be endured, each and every hardship that we must face. For as the apostle reminds us, these troubles here below are only light and momentary when compared to the eternal weight of glory that is to one day be enjoyed with God forever (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Matt Fowler
Associate Pastor of Missions & Students
matt@nbchurch.info
@fattmowler