Day 1: The Cost of Following Jesus
SENT: 21-DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING
The Cost Of
Following Jesus
Written By: Ashley Gabriel
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19–20
Matthew 28:19–20
When I was younger, my dad would buy the newspaper, and I often noticed adverts for phones that seemed unbelievably cheap. Only later did I learn to read the small print, where the real costs were hidden. Many people approach Jesus in the same way. They are drawn to what the church appears to offer, treating discipleship like an appealing advert, not realising that following Jesus carries a real and significant cost.
Jesus made this clear: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Following Him is not a hobby or an occasional interest. It is a daily surrender. Gathering a crowd is easy; making disciples is costly. It requires teaching, accountability, obedience, and walking with people beyond the surface.
Paul was able to say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1) because discipleship had shaped his entire life. True discipleship is sacrificial. It calls us to lay down our comfort, preferences, and personal desires so that Jesus alone becomes Lord.
“Come as you are” is a beautiful invitation of grace, but no one who truly follows Jesus stays as they are. He transforms us through obedience, perseverance, and a willingness to submit to His will. Following Him is not always easy, but it is always worth it, because we walk with the One who promised, “I am with you always.”
Jesus made this clear: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Following Him is not a hobby or an occasional interest. It is a daily surrender. Gathering a crowd is easy; making disciples is costly. It requires teaching, accountability, obedience, and walking with people beyond the surface.
Paul was able to say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1) because discipleship had shaped his entire life. True discipleship is sacrificial. It calls us to lay down our comfort, preferences, and personal desires so that Jesus alone becomes Lord.
“Come as you are” is a beautiful invitation of grace, but no one who truly follows Jesus stays as they are. He transforms us through obedience, perseverance, and a willingness to submit to His will. Following Him is not always easy, but it is always worth it, because we walk with the One who promised, “I am with you always.”
Reflect
Does your life reflect the cost of following Jesus?
What practical steps could you take today to deny yourself and follow Him more sacrificially?
What practical steps could you take today to deny yourself and follow Him more sacrificially?
Prayer
Father, help my life to show that I am truly following You. Give me strength to lay down comfort, choose obedience, and make disciples who walk faithfully with Christ. Amen.
Posted in SENT: 21-Days of Prayer and Fasting