And
if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But
don’t begin until you count the cost. Luke 14:27-28a (NLT)
There is an excellent reason Jesus cautioned his followers to stop
and think before committing to follow him; becoming a true, all-in,
not-looking-back disciple will be the most costly decision of your life.
Martin of Tours understood that.
Born to pagan parents, Martin was an officer in the king’s army during the
4th Century. He considered
becoming a Christian disciple. What finally
convinced Martin to make the commitment to Christ was what is pictured
above.
Martin met a beggar who had no clothes; he cut his own tunic in
half and gave it to the man. Later that
night Martin dreamed Christ visited him – wearing only that half-tunic. The king’s soldier became Christ’s soldier
that night.
Now that sounds like a perfect ending to a sermon illustration….but
there’s more.
Martin left the army and became a priest; he was eventually
elected as a bishop who stood plainly and firmly on a single platform: following Christ at all costs. In Martin’s life and ministry he stood calmly
between the weak and powerful as a voice for mercy and justice (often with his
own life at stake).
Martin of Tours lived a hard life, dangerous beyond that which most
American Christians experience or even imagine.[1] As a former military officer he knew what it
was to live a life of service, plan strategically and commit to the campaign
with his life if necessary.
This is what Jesus calls us to do also.
It’s a bit frightening to focus on what might happen when you put
it all on the line for Jesus.
After
all, counting
the cost means facing the loss.
But this is where the math really does add up.
What would you lose if you stood firmly for following Christ
today? And does every bit of what you
stand to lose compare at all with what you will gain with Christ’s approval?
For the Christian who is truly committed to following Jesus Christ,
there is no such thing as “loss” – it’s all gain. Missionary Jim Elliot, who was martyred in
his work once said:
For You, Today…
Like Martin of Tours you might meet someone today who is in need
of half of what you have.
He could be Jesus, so count the cost before you
leave the house.
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