In Luke 14, Jesus makes it clear that discipleship is not a casual commitment but a total surrender. He speaks directly to large crowds, not to gain followers but to filter them—to reveal that following Him requires wholehearted devotion, even at great personal cost. But Jesus doesn’t stop at calling us to be disciples—He also commissions us to make disciples. True followers of Christ don't just carry their cross; they help others do the same. We’ll explore the connection between being a disciple and making disciples—how embracing the cost leads us to a deeper calling. Jesus is looking for followers who won’t just listen but will live out the mission: to multiply disciples willing to carry their cross and walk in obedience.

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?  For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you,  saying, "This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish." Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." - Luke 14:25-33

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