The Asking Price – The Cost of Following Jesus (Matthew 8:18-22)

Matthew 8:18-22
18 And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”
20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
A. It Will Cost You Your Worldly Expectations (v.18-20)
a. Your Pride
i. Scribes were heralded leaders of the Jews that were highly educated in the Law of Moses and taught the law to the people.
ii. Humbling for a scribe to give up his position of prominence to pursue the callings of the ministry.
b. Your Possessions/Time
i. Throughout their traveling ministry, Jesus and His disciples were practically homeless, depending on the hospitality of others for survival.
ii. Remember that all of “your” possessions are actually blessings from God. Be willing to allow God to use the possessions in your life that belong to Him already. An act of surrender.
iii. Do we believe that God will provide for our needs even when we are called to give up worldly possessions?
B. Following Christ Assumes Precedence Over Social Protocols/Obligations (v.21-22)
a. One of the supreme commandments of Jewish custom was to honor parents, second only to honoring God.
b. Yes, Jesus teaches His followers to honor their parents, but he demands an even greater affection for Himself. Therefore He calls us to place Him at the “center of attention” – the top priority in our lives.
c. John 13:1-17 describes Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.
i. Focus in on verses 6-8.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
ii. Similarly, for the teacher to wash the disciples’ feet was not socially correct. Jesus shows us He is above all social obligation. Scripture supersedes tradition!
d. How does this concept apply to college life?
i. School
ii. Activities
iii. Convenience