This week, I hope to finish up Jesus’ teaching about counting the cost of discipleship as presented in Luke 14:25-35. We’ll spend some time looking at the hard truth that bearing our cross daily and following after Christ is a necessary cost of calling oneself a disciple of Jesus.

As I’ve pondered this admonition, I’ve been forced to consider what it means to bear my cross and go after Jesus. I urge you to take a few minutes now. Stop and think about the weight and the meaning of bearing your cross.

I think there are a number of things that fall under the broad auspices of bearing a cross. One of the most fundamental, however, is probably the most obvious; someone carrying a cross was, in antiquity, on a one-way trip…they were going to die. As I’ve spent more time mulling over this aspect of cross-bearing, I’ve been confronted with the thought that living the Christian life is all about death. This idea is all over the place in Scripture! One of the most profound passages, I think, is found in Romans 6:1-14. Please take some time to go there and think about these questions:

• What do you notice about death as presented in this passage?
• In what way does a Christian die with Christ?
• What is the purpose of this death?
• How does resurrection relate to this death?
• How does sin relate to this death?

At this point, you might be thinking that all we’ve done is talk about the incredible cost of being a disciple of Jesus up to this point. Why would anyone want to follow Him? Why would you/do you follow Him in spite of the cost? I’d also like to spend some time hashing this out. Please think about these things so that our time together can be more fruitful on Sunday morning. Grace to you all.