He’s Able. He’s Worthy. But Count the Cost | Matt 8:18-34
Bottom line: Because Jesus has absolute authority in the world and deserves absolute allegiance from the world, we trust, rest, submit to and rejoice in that authority. But we must count the cost.
I. Jesus has authority over disciples. (18-20) i.e. I trust Jesus no matter what.
A. Jesus is worthy of unconditional trust, even if it means giving up earthly security and comforts. (Matt 8:18-20; parallel Luke 9:57-62)
“If you follow me, I’m all you’ve got.” -David Platt
There’s a steep cost in following Jesus because he wants everything. (Time, talent, treasure, temple, testimony)
Teacher of the law thinks he wants to follow Jesus. Instead of saying “fall-in”, Jesus discourages this by calling him to count the costs.
Our security is in our home
security systems
watch dogs
locks
insurance
fences
Jesus tells him he cannot even guarantee a roof over his head if he follows him. He may be homeless or a wanderer.
“If you follow me, I’m all you’ve got/“ -David Platt Are you ready to embrace that?
Jesus is worthy of our unconditional trust, even if it means giving up everything else. Why trust? Because he’s good. Therefore, I don’t need to look elsewhere for satisfaction.
Jennifer and Chears had to count the cost of buying a dog. (Vet bills, food, time, damage) We do too.
Application: Count the costs of following Jesus.
B. Jesus is worthy of undivided affection, even if it means giving up easy access to our earthly relationships. (21-22)
Disagreement over what is actually being requested here.
Does he want to give his deceased father a proper funeral, or
Does he want to wait until his living father dies and he gets his inheritance before agreeing to follow Jesus?
It doesn’t matter. The lesson is the same.
“Jesus’ response is direct, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’” -Platt quoting Jesus
Therefore, more important than honoring your father or collecting your inheritance (both of which matter) is following Jesus promptly and completely.
Seeing Jesus as Sovereign authority in the world —> gladly surrendering total allegiance in life.
Jesus 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.”
Luke 14:26 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/luk.14.26.niv
JC Ryle quote, “Nothing, in fact, has done more to Christianity than the practice of filing ranks of Christs’ army with every volunteer who is willing to make a little profession.”
“Remember, Jesus is not begging for followers. He’s actually turning them away because he warrants unconditional trust and undivided affection from those who follow him. When Jesus speaks, leprosy, paralysis, and fever obey. The question is, ‘Do you obey?’” - Platt
"Just say the word, Lord” should be our mantra.
Count the costs.
II. Jesus has authority over demons. (Matt 8:28-34)
We have a picture of demons who
Violently possess 2 men, and yet, are
Hate Jesus, and yet, are
Deathly afraid of Jesus
Are powerless to do anything without his permission
Satan on a leash
“Satan can do nothing in the world, and nothing in your life, apart from the sovereign permission of God. Satan is (like) a lion (1 Peter 5:8), but he is a lion on a leash. And God holds the leash.”
Jennifer’s new Lab
Our daughter Jennifer got a new yellow lab. Even walking him as a gangly puppy quickly found him dragging her down the street as she tried to walk her undisciplined puppy. So she stopped taking him thinking he’s grow out of it and mature becoming more calm and obedient over time. Now she realizes that he’s still growing stronger (but not more disciplined because of lack of training) and so now he’ll only pull harder.
Satan is on a leash.
God is holding the leash.
Neither demons nor Satan himself have all authority. Only Jesus does.
Remember 2 weeks ago we saw Jesus say 2 things to the 12 after he calmed the storm on the sea:
You of little faith? (Why do you doubt?)
Why are you so afraid?
In other words, why don’t you believe that I am God and in control having absolute authority in the world?
Dallas Willard said, “To believe something is to act as if it were true.”
Clearly, we have a gap between what we say we believe and what we actually believe.
God can close your gap when you cooperate with him.
When you place your unconditional trust and your undivided affections on Jesus, he transforms you to act as if you really do gladly and whole-heartedly submit to him.
Faith
Our tendency to fear is why we must remember Jesus’ authority.
Jesus is encouraging us to believe he is able and near.
Sometimes we believe in Jesus even less than the demons do!
What do I mean?
The half-brother of Jesus, James, writes to believers scattered all over the world, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:19
The demons have fear because of their belief. Why? Because they know Jesus is God and are therefore terrified of him. We see this in Scripture every time Jesus confronts them.
But we often fear because we don’t believe Jesus is God and has absolute authority.
What if we believed with the confidence of the demons? (I get it, they’ve seen Jesus in the spiritual realm as he truly is now)
Conclusion
Jesus is the son of God (God incarnate) with all authority over disease, disaster, and demons. Nothing can touch us apart from his sovereign will and power.
Therefore, we should and can be the most secure people on the planet.
Our security isn’t based on our house, our good job, the strength/stability of the economy, or who is president. It’s based on believing we are in the hands of the One with all authority in this world.
He is great and able and willing to provide for us and protect us.
He is good and wants to provide and protect us...as we seek first his kingdom...(Matt 6:33)
Hear the demon’s questions (29)
“What do you have to do with us, son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
Their day of final judgment is coming. (25:41)
As believers, we look forward to the coming day of judgment. Why, you ask?
Because Jesus showed he also has authority over death. So as a believer of that trusty and follower of his way and life, I know my just and holy judgment fell on Jesus at the cross instead of on me. Therefore, I will live in mercy and not under his judgment.
You can too! This is our great hope in Christ!
We don’t like authority. But we should. We will never thrive apart from healthy authority.
Bottom line:
Because Jesus has absolute authority in the world and deserves absolute allegiance from the world, we trust, rest, submit to and rejoice in that authority. But we must count the cost.
Coast Guard
The coast guard has a mission to defend the shoreline of our nation and to rescue people who’s lives are in jeopardy outside our shorelines. They have a chain of command with people in authority all the way up to the President, congress and Supreme Court. They function effectively to the extent that they respect the authorities over them.
The Church has a mission to defend the front lines of the kingdom of God (the Church IS the FOB). In addition, we rescue people far from God but close to us (physically, relationally, emotionally, experientially) under the authority of God through Jesus.
We will function effectively to the extent that we respect and revere and follow the authority of Christ.
Application
Trust wholeheartedly in Jesus’ authority! (Put your full weight on the brake or chair)
Rest peacefully in Jesus’ authority! (Like Jesus sleeping in the boat in the storm sleep through the night no matter the storm)
Submit completely to Jesus’ authority! (Get off your hands and praise him as your Ultimate authority in life—Jesus is Lord of all!)
Rejoice gladly in Jesus’ authority! (Smile often)
Notes:
As revival scholar James Edwin Orr said, “The only proof of the new birth is the new life.” Or, in the words of Jacob (James), “someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).