Count the Cost

Weekly Update – May 22nd, 2025 

In Luke 9:51, we see an interesting phrase that will set out for us the rest of Jesus’ ministry on earth.  Luke says, “he (Jesus) set his face to go to Jerusalem.”  Now, on the surface of it, this may seem like Luke is only giving us the physical direction as to where Jesus is going.  He is now headed to Jerusalem.  In actuality though, I believe that Luke says this phrase with a bit more intentionality to refer to not only the physical location that Jesus is now headed, but the unflinching resolve by which Jesus will have to complete the mission that was given to him on this earth.

So far in our journey through the gospel of Luke we have seen the rise of Jesus to national popularity.  Everywhere he turns there are crowds of people waiting to be healed, restored or redeemed.  His power has been on display, his works have been made known, and many have appeared to receive his message of the kingdom of God and commit to following him.  In his disciples’ minds, the revolution against Rome is about to begin.  Jesus is going to bring about the prominence of Israel, crush all their physical enemies and raise them up to positions of importance.  That is why, I believe, Luke concludes the first section of his gospel with the disciples arguing over who of them is the greatest (9:46). 

Yet, there is a shift in Luke 9:51. As Jesus “sets his face to go to Jerusalem”, he and his disciples begin to experience rejection (9:53), and now, there is a clear cost given to those who would follow Jesus (9:57-62).  He has already prepared his disciples, and us, for what is to come by predicting his death (9:22; 9:44), but now we are about to see the unfolding of events that will lead to the fulfillment of his time on earth. And for all who would claim to be his followers, they too must be willing to walk the road of suffering and even death.

Consider further what it means for us, as Jesus’ followers when Jesus “sets his face to go to Jerusalem”. It now means that as his disciples, we give up our comfort (9:58), obey him fully (9:60) and follow him immediately (9:62). As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we should not expect the popularity of the world, but instead to suffer at the hands of the world.  We can’t keep our options open for better success in this world.  Instead, we must be prepared for loss.  We must press forward, without hesitation, seeking to go wherever the Lord directs us. 

Too often in our church culture we forget the implications of what it means for Jesus “to set his face to go to Jerusalem”. We have no problem acknowledging Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection, but, I think, we tend to struggle with the cost this brings for those who would commit to be his disciples. What Jesus is calling us to, as his disciples, is something far more radical than the expectations this world might place upon us.  For through his death, he redeems us from our sin, sets us free from shame and guilt and releases us from the fear of the curse. Then, by rising again, he guarantees us eternal life, reconciled to God the Father, through him.  But we must count the cost.  And in counting the cost, we too, must follow him, as he sets his face to Jerusalem.    

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson