Luke 14:25-33

Of Towers and Powers

Today's story is Jesus talking about the cost of discipleship, something that could also be described as a life-altering impact of following Him. He shares two analogies to drive home His point. In the first example (erecting a building), the cost being counted is what it will take to finish what you start. In the second example (a king with an army), the cost being counted is one of potential destruction at the hands of a stronger opponent.

To be clear, the stronger opponent is not you nor the devil, but God. The options are: Make peace with or make war against God. If you are not for Him, you are against Him (see Luke 11:23).

There is a cost to count both in terms of peace (on His terms) and war (this too will end on His terms). God is for you and desires peace for you with Him through Jesus Christ. Accept His terms of peace – and follow Jesus.

Luke 14:25-33

The Cost of Being a Disciple

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.