Monday's Devotion from Epiphany

Luke 14. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?...31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? (NRSV)

Counting the cost. When we are looking to buy a home, we figure out how much we can pay and buy accordingly. When it is time for vacation, we don’t just throw some clothes in a suitcase, jump in the car and take off. No, we’ve spent time planning, where to go, what to take with us, how much it will cost. How much will it cost to follow Jesus?
First, Jesus tells us that it will cost us all of our possessions. It will be really hard to follow Jesus if we are dragging a pile of stuff behind us. Surprisingly, perhaps, we only have record of one person being unable to do this. Can you give up all of your possessions?
Secondly, we are told that we must carry the cross. What does that mean? I think I t means that following Jesus does not grant special privileges. If anything, life often gives us an extra helping of bad because we ought be able to bear it. How’s your cross bearing?
Finally, no earthly person can stand between us and Jesus. Parents, siblings, children. None of them. Unfortunately, there is always one who does. Mirror man. Mirror woman.

The cost seems too much to bear, O Lord, and yet you lay it upon us. Help us bear the cross-ours and others-that we might be faithful followers. Amen