After the Restoration: The Cost of Following

What Happens Now?

If you were selling your good, used car, doubtless you would point out all the features, bells, and whistles the car had to offer to its next owner. You would say how dependable it was for you like it was a personal relationship you enjoyed. You may even suggest a future purpose for the car like, “Great commuter - saves gas,” or “Perfect first car.” Being an honest person, you would eventually disclose any problems with the automobile itself or the paperwork associated. The point is, you lead with all the advantages to put any negative issues into proper perspective for the potential buyer.

Jesus is more forthcoming concerning the cost for anyone who will choose to follow Him. We return now to the charcoal fire on the Galilean shore and that crucial conversation between Jesus and Peter. Before He issues His invitation, Jesus informs Peter by what kind of death he would glorify God. The first time Peter accepted the call to follow Jesus, it cost him his business and his livelihood. Now, before he hears the second call, he understands the price that will be exacted from him will be his execution.

The call to Paul, the last disciple, was similar. After being abruptly pitched from his mount by a supernatural, resplendent light and hearing the voice of Jesus from His heavenly throne, Saul waited in darkness for three days, fasting and blind in the house of a stranger. He prayed to the God he was zealously serving, although in ignorance and unbelief. Ananias arrived, sent by the Lord to pray for Saul to receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul, now Paul, rose to be baptized and to be shown the things he would suffer for the sake of following Jesus. You can read the list of the bleak, harsh circumstances, and the cruel, brutal punishments Paul endured, found in his second letter to the Corinthians. As you read, remember that Jesus revealed it all to Paul before the apostle gave his first testimony or preached his first sermon.

What This Means for Us

In the United States of America today, it is unlikely that very many of us will be called to die for our faith, although, American Christians are sometimes subject to horrid situations, retributions, tortures, and even death. For some, to follow Jesus will mean to sacrifice employment, income, and financial security. Others will lose the love of lifelong friends or close family members. Still others will leave their homes for unfamiliar surroundings, cultures, and traditions.

At one time or another, following Jesus will certainly cost every one of us comforts we have come to rely upon, enjoy, and expect. All of us will experience a shift in our value systems, now seeing everything we once prized as no more than garbage when compared to knowing Jesus more fully and more intimately. Our “Yes, Lord” will mean continual change in the way we live, in our priorities, our relationships, and our worldview. But the greatest sacrifice for all of us will be to do whatever it takes to finish the race once we have begun.

A Fast Start

We all get started with great intentions and zeal, inspired by the call of God and the thankfulness that comes with being rescued from eternal death by the strong and loving arms of our Savior. But inspiration wears thin as we run the course of ordinary life. Even the most resolute willpower becomes a depleted resource as we struggle to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It has been said that one can either become a good example or a horrible warning to others. The Bible is replete with warnings from those who started well but ended dismally. For instance, consider this list of kings.

Solomon began with extraordinary wisdom from God, built the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, and enjoyed immense prosperity and peace. But Solomon’s foreign wives, seven hundred of them in addition to three hundred concubines, turned his heart away from God. He followed Ashtoreth, Milcom, Chemosh, and Molech, building high places and participating in their abominable sacrifices.

Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord God early on. He removed idols and high places, commanded Judah to seek the Lord, and experienced victory over a massive Ethiopian army because he relied on God. In his later years, facing Baasha king of Israel, Asa relied on Benhadad king of Syria instead of the Lord. When rebuked, he raged, imprisoned the seer, and oppressed the people. Later, diseased in his feet, he sought physicians rather than the Lord.

Jehoshaphat sought the Lord when he became king. He removed high places built for sacrifices to foreign gods, sent teachers of the law throughout Judah, and strengthened the kingdom. However, he did not consult the Lord about his friends and partners, a grave error. He formed a close alliance, including marriage ties, with the wicked Ahab of Israel and joined him in unsuccessful battle against Syria. Later, he allied with Ahaziah, Ahab’s wicked son, in a shipbuilding venture that God destroyed.

Joash was hidden as a child during Athaliah’s murderous reign, protected by Jehoiada the priest, and crowned at age seven. While Jehoiada lived, Joash repaired the temple and did what was right in the sight of the Lord. After Jehoiada died, he abandoned the house of the Lord, served demonic idols, and, most shockingly, had Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, stoned to death in the temple court for prophesying against the people’s sins.

Uzziah became king at 16 and reigned 52 years. While he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. He achieved military victories, built up the cities of Judah extensively, strengthened defenses, and developed agricultural production. When he was at his strongest, he became proud of his accomplishments, to his destruction. He entered the temple to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved for consecrated priests. When confronted, he responded with angry threats against the priests. The consequence for him was immediate leprosy and life in isolation from his rule until his death.

Finish Strong

None of these great Judean kings came to personal ruin in an instant. The drift back into control, the string of successes that lead to pride, the gradual accumulation of resources that erode our naked trust in God alone: these are not sudden, singular events.

Maintenance becomes monotonous.

Trustworthiness becomes tedious.

Discipline becomes drudgery.

And yet, these are the characteristics of Christian living that lead to our personal “Well done” from Jesus when we hit our finish line.

After the restoration, after the victory, after the “Yes, Lord” from deep in our most grateful hearts, the price required from us is maintenance, trustworthiness, and discipline. We must grow in righteousness daily by our consistency in prayer, heartfelt worship, study and meditation on the Word of God, and meaningful fellowship with other believers. This is the cost of discipleship. This is what it means to follow Jesus.

Remember, the grace, mercy, and steadfast love of the Lord are free. It is following that has a price for us. This is not a matter of trying harder to do all the right things. It is a matter of surrendering control over our lives and giving the Holy Spirit free reign to realign our desires and priorities.

Now you know, up front, what being a true follower will require each day, even while life swirls unpredictably and relentlessly all around you. As G.I. Joe way back in the sixty’s used to remind us kids, “Knowing is half the battle.”

Ready?

“Yes, Lord.”

Let’s go.

A Heartfelt Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am resolved to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You day by day. Teach me to not only to admire You, agree with You, and believe in You. Teach me to be Your companion on the road You have chosen for me. Teach me to follow. Give me the courage to trust Your voice instead of my fears, to choose Your direction instead of my plans, and to seek Your presence instead of future assurance and clarity.

Lord, you know all things. You know I love You.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.




Important Scripture References
Matthew 16:24
Mark 8:24
Luke 9:23
John 21:19
Mark 1:16-17
1 Timothy 1:13
Acts 9:1-19
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
Philippians 3:8
2 Timothy 4:7
1 Kings 3–10
2 Chronicles 14–15
2 Chronicles 17
2 Chronicles 23–24
2 Chronicles 26:1-15
Matthew 25:21
1 Corinthians 9:24