Conclusion Of The Responsibility Of Discipleship

So Jesus is illustrating to the crowds who are following him that before becoming his disciples, they should be firmly decided that they can fulfill what is involved, even as a man who wants to build a tower makes sure before he begins that he has the resources to complete it. Providing another illustration, Jesus continues: "Or what king, marching to meet another king in war, does not first sit down and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand troops to cope with the one that comes against him with twenty thousand? If, in fact, he cannot do so, then while that one is yet far away he sends out a body of ambassadors and sues for peace.{"

Jesus then emphasizes the point of his illustrations, saying: "Thus, you may be sure, none of you that does not say good-bye to all his belongings can be my disciple." That is what the crowds following him, and yet, everyone else who learns of Christ, must be willing to do. They must be ready to sacrifice everything that they have-all their belongings, including life itself-if they would be his disciples. Are you willing to do this?

"Salt, to be sure, is fine," Jesus continues. In his Sermon on the Mount, he said that his disciples are "the salt of the earth," meaning that they have a preserving influence on people, even as literal salt is a preservative. "But if even the salt loses its strength, with what will it be seasoned? It is suitable neither for soil nor for manure." Jesus concludes. "People throw it outside. Let him that has ears to listen, listen."

So Jesus shows that even those who have been his disciples for some time must not weaken in their determination to continue. If they do, they will become useless, an object of ridicule to this world and unfit before God, in fact, a reproach upon God. Hence, like strengthless, contaminated salt, they will be thrown outside, yes, destroyed. Luke 14:25-35; Genesis 29:30-33; Matthew 5:13.

Next time: Searching For The Lost

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991