Counting the Cost

John 13:36-38

36 Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterwards.’ 37 Peter said to him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ 38 Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.

Peter heard the words that Jesus was going away, words Jesus had said before, but somehow in this moment the words seemed more pressing. So Peter asked, “Where are you going?” At core Peter is saying, “Where are you going so that I can come along with you.” (Remember that discipleship in the gospel of John is: to be with Jesus where he is.)

Peter is unwilling to accept the answer Jesus gives, “you cannot follow me now.” In a moment of unexpected insight – Peter in his over-the-top manner says “I am willing to lay down my life for you.” Does Peter know what is going to happen to Jesus? I don’t think he does. Peter knows the opposition to Jesus is rising, and in the face of that rising tension he makes his bold promise, but he does not really know what he is promising.

A promise he has not thought through as Jesus’ response so clearly shows. The NIV gives an even harder reading in vs. 38 – “will you really lay down your life for me?” And Jesus, who knows what will happen, confronts Peter with the uncomfortable truth, “Before the cock crows tomorrow morning, you will have denied (disowned) me three times.” Peter’s ego has been crushed, his false bravado exposed. Jesus in Luke 14:28-33 told his followers to count the cost before entering on the road of following Jesus. And here is a moment that Peter made a verbal commitment that he had not deeply considered.

Following Jesus is costly, at times everything is on the table. Peter’s story would invite us to count the cost before we too quickly jump on board with Jesus. I am not saying we should not follow Jesus, but we should follow Jesus knowing having counted the cost.  

PRAYER:

We want to follow your Son boldly, O Lord, we say bold things, but when it comes time to actually do the hard thing, we fail to follow through. Help us to count the cost of following, and having counted the cost, humbly follow, knowing we can do so only in the Holy Spirit’s power. Help us, Lord. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.