Every meaningful commitment demands understanding what it will cost. In Luke 14:28–33, Jesus turns to the crowds following Him and delivers one of His most sobering lessons about discipleship. The parables of the tower builder and the warring king illustrate that following Christ requires deliberate commitment, not casual enthusiasm.
The Setting: A Sobering Call to Follow
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” (Luke 14:28, KJV)
Jesus had just spoken about the radical nature of discipleship — loving Him above family, possessions, and one’s own life (Luke 14:26–27). Then He follows with two short parables that drive home a single truth: discipleship is costly, and the choice to follow Him should never be made lightly.
In the first illustration, a man plans to build a tower. Before he begins, he must sit down to calculate whether he has the means to finish it. If he lays the foundation but cannot complete the project, people will mock him, saying, “This man began to build, and was not able to finish.” (v. 30)
The imagery is straightforward but profound. Following Christ is like beginning a lifelong construction project — one that demands endurance, resources, and unwavering purpose. Jesus warns that starting without preparation leads to spiritual collapse and shame.
The Parable of the King: Counting Before Conflict
“Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?” (Luke 14:31, KJV)
Here, the stakes rise higher. The first example was about effort and construction; this one is about conflict and survival. A wise ruler does not rush into battle without first weighing his strength against his opponent’s. If he cannot prevail, he will wisely seek peace terms before the fight begins (v. 32).
This parable reflects the spiritual reality of discipleship as a battle between the kingdom of God and the powers of sin and self. Jesus’ demand is not for impulsive passion but for settled surrender — recognizing that to follow Him means engaging in lifelong spiritual warfare.
In both parables, the repeated phrase “sitteth not down first” emphasizes reflection before action. Real discipleship begins not with emotion but with evaluation. True followers must consider the sacrifices involved and decide if they are willing to bear them.
The Point: Renouncing All for Christ
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33, KJV)
Jesus concludes with a blunt summary — to follow Him is to relinquish ownership of one’s life and possessions. The phrase “forsaketh… all that he hath” does not call for absolute poverty but for absolute surrender. Everything we have — time, resources, relationships, ambitions — must become secondary to Him.
This teaching stands in direct contrast to superficial faith. Jesus does not soften His message to attract larger crowds; instead, He sharpens it to reveal who truly understands the cost. Discipleship is not about momentary enthusiasm but enduring loyalty.
Lessons for the Modern Disciple
- Discipleship begins with reflection. Faith should be thoughtful, not impulsive. We must consider what following Christ will mean for our commitments and priorities.
- Following Jesus costs everything. True discipleship means surrendering our rights, desires, and control to Him.
- Endurance is proof of authenticity. It’s not enough to start well; finishing well is the real test of faith.
- Jesus calls for wisdom, not recklessness. Counting the cost guards us against empty promises and shallow belief.
Like the man building a tower or the king preparing for war, we must “sit down first” and reckon with what discipleship requires. Jesus does not promise comfort, but He promises completion — the finished work of a life wholly devoted to Him.
Conclusion
The call to follow Christ is both the most costly and most rewarding decision a person can make. In a world that measures faith by convenience and comfort, Jesus still asks a piercing question: have we counted the cost? To start well is easy; to finish well demands grace, endurance, and daily surrender. The one who truly sits down to count the cost — and still chooses to follow — discovers that the price of discipleship is great, but the prize of knowing Christ is greater.
Continuing the study in the parables:
Discovering the Path of Salvation series by Stephen Luckett
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