Counting the Cost

Think of something you, or someone you know, gave up a lot for: a sport, music, a job, saving up for something big. Early mornings, missed parties, money, time. Was it worth it?

Most people who sell you something hide the cost in the fine print. Jesus did the opposite. He put the cost right up front: following him is a whole-life commitment, opposition will come, and it might cost you everything. And then he said something even more surprising: he is worth more than anything it costs. This lesson looks at what Jesus said about the cost, the real people who paid it, and why so many of them said it was worth it.

What you'll learn

• Why Jesus tells people to count the cost before they follow him
• How believers in the Bible responded when following God cost them
• How to tell the difference between suffering for Jesus and just getting pushback for being rude

Count it first

"Then Jesus said to all of them, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’" (Luke 9:23)

A cross wasn't jewellery in Jesus' day. It was an execution device. To "take up your cross" meant being ready to give up your own way completely. And notice the word daily. Following Jesus isn't only about rare, heroic moments; it's an everyday choice.

In Luke 14:25–33, Jesus tells two mini-parables. A builder who doesn't budget properly ends up with half a tower and everyone laughing at him. A king who doesn't weigh up his army before marching into war ends up losing. Jesus wants informed followers, not impulse buyers. Nothing in life is held back from him. (That doesn't mean every Christian has to sell everything they own. It means nothing, not money, friends, family or plans, gets to come before him.)

But the cost isn't gloomy. Listen to this:

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44)

The man sells everything in his joy. He isn't losing; he's trading up. Paul did the same maths with his own life. He had status, education and achievements, and he counted all of it as loss, even rubbish, compared with knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7–11).

Not everyone makes that trade. In Mark 10, a rich young man asks Jesus about eternal life, but walks away sad because he can't let go of his wealth. Jesus put his finger on the one thing that young man loved more than him.

Jesus warned it would happen

Opposition isn't a sign that something has gone wrong. Jesus said it in advance:

• If the world hates you, it hated me first (John 15:18–21). Opposition comes because of Jesus, not because Christians are special.
• Blessed are those persecuted for doing right (Matthew 5:10–12). Jesus calls it a blessing, not just something to survive.
• In this world you will have trouble, but take heart: I have overcome the world (John 16:33). An honest warning and real comfort in the same breath.
• Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). Not "might" but "will", though the form and severity vary hugely.

People who paid the price

The Bible is full of real people who faced pressure. In almost every case, their courage came from confidence in God, not confidence in the outcome.

When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into a furnace unless they bowed to his statue, they answered:

"If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:17–18)

Even if God didn't rescue them, they still wouldn't bow. Their faithfulness didn't depend on a guaranteed rescue.

Joy in suffering isn't pretending it doesn't hurt. It's knowing something bigger is true. And notice that persecution is often loss of property, jobs or reputation, not only violence.

Persecution or not?

Here's an important distinction. Peter writes:

"Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name." (1 Peter 4:15–16)

Not all mockery is persecution. If a Christian is rude, judgemental or self-righteous and people push back, that isn't suffering for Christ. Some hard things are persecution; some are just ordinary hardships everyone faces; and some are the result of our own bad behaviour.

For example: being teased for saying grace before lunch is (mild) persecution. Losing a job for refusing to lie on a quote is too. But telling classmates they're all going to hell and then being left out of the group chat? That's probably more about how it was said. Peter's advice is to give the reason for your hope "with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15–16). How you answer matters as much as what you say.

How followers of Jesus respond

The New Testament response to persecution is love, prayer, gentle honesty and endurance, never revenge or self-pity. Jesus says to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43–48), which might be the most counter-cultural instruction he ever gave. Paul says to bless persecutors, never repay evil for evil, and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:14, 17–21). And Hebrews 13:3 tells Christians to remember those in prison as if they were there with them. That's a direct call to pray for and support persecuted Christians today.

Why it's worth it

The New Testament never says the cost is small. It says the reward, and Jesus himself, are far greater. Picture a balance scale:

"I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

One side vastly outweighs the other. Paul even calls his troubles light and momentary (2 Corinthians 4:17), and he wrote that after listing beatings, prison and shipwreck. That shows how big he thought the glory must be. Nothing, including persecution, danger or the sword, can separate believers from God's love in Christ (Romans 8:35–39). And Revelation 7:9–17 shows the end of the story: a countless crowd from every nation, with every tear wiped away.

Key words

• Disciple: a follower and learner of Jesus.
• Take up your cross: to be willing to give up your own way, even your life, to follow Jesus.
• Persecution: being opposed or mistreated because you follow Jesus.
• Endurance: keeping going faithfully under pressure.

How this points to Jesus

Jesus never asks his followers to pay a cost he hasn't paid himself. He counted the cost first, and for the joy set before him he endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1–3). He is both the model and the strength for everyone who follows him.

Think about it

Take it further

Answer the question that fits you best. If you follow Jesus: what could following him cost you right now, at school, online or with friends, and what would help you stay faithful? If you're still thinking about it: Jesus actually wants people to count the cost before deciding. What questions would you want answered first? Honest questions are welcome.

Then read Hebrews 13:3 and write or pray a short prayer for Christians around the world who are persecuted today.

Your worksheet helps you work through Jesus' words on the cost, compare three case studies, and sort out what counts as persecution.