The cost of discipleship is vividly laid out by Jesus in Mark 8:34-38, where He calls for self-denial, taking up the Cross, and following Him. These words were meant to encourage Christians in Rome, who were enduring intense persecution for their faith. The trials they faced were not an exception but a norm in the life of a true disciple, a reality that should resonate with believers today.
The life of Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor during the Communist regime, exemplifies this. Imprisoned and tortured for 14 years for preaching the gospel, he never wavered in his faith. His steadfastness is a powerful illustration of what it means to follow Christ despite suffering. After his release, he founded “Voice of the Martyrs,” an organization dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians. Wurmbrand’s story reminds us that discipleship often comes at a great cost, one that involves enduring hardship for the sake of the gospel.
In Mark 8:34, Jesus begins by saying, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself.” This call to deny oneself is not about hating oneself or giving up certain things but rather a complete surrender to God. It is a reorientation of life, where God’s will takes precedence over personal desires, ambitions, and comforts. This is exemplified in the life of George Beverly Shea, a gifted musician who turned down a lucrative contract to devote his life to serving God through music in Billy Graham’s evangelistic crusades. Shea denied his own dreams and ambitions to follow God’s calling, demonstrating that discipleship means placing God’s plans above our own.
Next, Jesus calls His followers to “take up the Cross.” In the Roman context, this phrase carried the weight of a death sentence, symbolizing suffering and sacrifice. Taking up the Cross means being willing to endure whatever trials may come for the sake of following Christ. For early Christians, like Perpetua, this meant facing death. A noblewoman in Carthage in the early third century, Perpetua refused to renounce her faith even when faced with execution. Her courage in the face of death reflects the deep cost of discipleship, which can require laying down one’s life for Christ.
Finally, Jesus calls His disciples to “follow Him.” This means more than mere belief—it’s about walking in His footsteps, living as He lived, and being willing to go wherever He leads, even if the path is difficult. William Wilberforce, a British politician who spent decades fighting against the transatlantic slave trade, exemplified this commitment. His faith drove him to pursue justice despite ridicule and opposition, demonstrating that following Jesus often means standing against the world’s systems in pursuit of God’s truth.
Jesus also warns about the cost of not following Him, stating in Mark 8:36, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” This stark warning reminds us that choosing comfort and worldly gain over Christ leads to eternal loss. For the persecuted Christians in Rome, this was a serious choice, and it is one that we must consider today. The rewards of following Christ—eternal life and spiritual fulfillment—far outweigh the temporary and perceived losses we may experience in this life.
The cost of discipleship is high, but the reward is far greater. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up the Cross, and follow Him. Like Wurmbrand, Perpetua, and Wilberforce, we are invited to live lives marked by radical commitment to Christ, knowing that the ultimate reward is not found fully in this world but in the life to come. As C.T. Studd once wrote, “Only one life, which soon will pass; only what’s done for Christ will last.” Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!