Leading by Example: The Cost of Folowing Christ
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went to another village.
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Introduction
Introduction
As we come to this passage in our study of the Gospel of Luke, we will see that we are at a major turning point in terms of the development of the Gospel story.
Up until now, Jesus has been going around, proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom, and performing miracles in demonstration of his power and authority. There are certainly many more things that he will teach, many more miracles to perform. But the opening sentence of verse 51 shows us that there is a decisive point reached where Jesus now turns his face towards Jerusalem in order to head there for the purpose of carrying out that for which He came.
5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says,
“Sacrifice and offering You have not desired,
But a body You have prepared for Me;
6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure.
7 “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come
(In the scroll of the book it is written of Me)
To do Your will, O God.’ ”
Here was the mind of our Saviour! He came into the world with the express purpose of going to Jerusalem in order to be a propitiation for the sins of God’s chosen.
We see that this morning in our text. But we will also see the implications for us as Christians as we are called to follow our Saviour.
With that in mind, consider firstly with me...
1. The Pattern of Christ (vv.51-56)
1. The Pattern of Christ (vv.51-56)
In verse 51 of our passage we read...
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
As we consider these very important words in terms of the actions of Jesus, we need to keep in mind that Jesus was a natural person, such as us. He lived in the flesh, and he felt the frailties and weaknesses of the flesh, although he was without sin.
But he had come into this world for a very specific purpose. Ultimately, that purpose was to go to the cross in order to redeem a people for himself.
In our text, we are told that the time was approaching for him to be taken up to heaven. The phrase that is used most properly speaks of Christ’s death, but there is a clear hint that the ascension of Christ is also in mind (hence why many translations speak of being taken up to heaven). The fact is that Jesus knew that the time was approaching for him to fulfil that for which he had come.
He had already told his disicples that he would be put to death at the hands of the religious leaders, and now that time was approaching.
What is so important for us to note in this verse is the determination of Jesus to go to the cross. The NIV tells us that “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”
Luke uses a Semitic idiom here, which literally meant to fix one’s face toward something. It meant that a decision was being made, with the emphasis upon finality. In other words, there was a firm decision taken, a firm resolve on the part of Jesus, that would under no circumstances be turned about.
We note here that the resolution comes from Jesus. He is the one that is determined to head towards that place where his own life would be taken. Later on he would say that he lays down his own life - no one takes it from him. It was the firm decision of Jesus, in humble obedience to his father in heaven, that he set out to give up his life, so that he would be able to save those of sinful humanity that had rebelled against him.
Such is the example of Jesus. Christ came into the world to save sinners. That was his mission. And he was resolute about that mission. He would follow it through to completion.
I don’t think we should underestimate the kind of burden this placed on Jesus, even at this point in his ministry. He was, after all, fully human, with all the experiences of humanity, apart from sin. In the last passage, we got just a small glimpse of the extent of the unbeleif that confronted him… He said to his disciples, “how long shall I put up with you…”
He faced continued hostility, lack of faith, and rejection from all kinds of people. We should not think that these rejections had absolutely no impact on him. He was a man. He felt the struggles of being a man.
We often think that only time that Jesus suffered was in Gethsemane. I don’t think that’s accurate. That was certainly a climactic point in terms of his suffering and struggle. But it was not the only point.
All through his life, he would have to face rejection and suffering. Isaiah describes him thus...
3 He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
But Christ was resolute!! He had determined that his work in this life was to redeem this very people that lacked faith, that were slow to believe in God, and even those who would outright reject him. He was resolute!!
As he thus prepares his mind, and sets his face towards Jerusalem, we read of the continued rejection that he faces on route to Jerusalem. In verse 52-53 we read…
52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.
53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.
The journey to Jerusalem had been decided upon, and they had set out on this journey towards Jerusalem. This would be a lengthy journey by foot (particularly if traveling from Galilee) and so they would need to spend some nights at various towns along the way.
In the present instance, night is approaching, and so Jesus makes the wise decision to make arrangements for a place to stay. He sends his messengers on ahead of him, and they come to a village of the Samaritans.
We need to recognise that there was great hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans. The Samaritans were a mixed race of people (see 2 Kings 17:24-41).
But the Samaritans believed that they were ones that were fully obedient to the Torah, the law of God. Their very name was taken from the phrase meaning “keeper of the law.”
They saw themselves as the true people of God, the true descendants of Israel, rather than the Israelites themselves. They rejected Jerusalem as the place of worship of the true and living God. They rejected the temple in Jerusalem as the appropriate place for the people of God to worship Him.
You will recall the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.
20 “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
What is very important to note is that there was great rivalry between the JEws and the Samaritans. They took opposing sides with respect to their very identity.
We recall also from that encounter between JEsus and the Samaritan woman at the well, that she said to Jesus…
John 4:9 (NASB95)
9 ... “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
Somewhat understably then, when the messengers of Jesus arrived at this village, and the village people heard that Jesus was headed towards Jerusalem, they refused to allow him to stay with them. They rejected him.
It is this rejection of Jesus, the one that the disciples have already confessed to be the true Messiah of God, that prompts the disciples, particularly James and John, to respond with great zeal. Sadly, it is a misdirected zeal.
Verse 54 reads...
54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
Much zeal indeed!!
Now, let us be at least somewhat sympathetic towards the disicples in this instance. They have, after all, confessed him to be the Messiah. These specific two disciples have been up on the mountain with Jesus, where Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, and they had beheld the glory of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, they had heard the words of God himself - this is my Son, listen to Him!!
Think further back to their own discipleship, when Jesus had sent out the twelve on their missionary journey with the ability to cast out demons and to heal the sick. In that account, Jesus had specifically told his disciples that if any of the towns rejected them, and refused to welcome them, that they were to shake the dust off their feet when leaving that town. The meaning of that - they will have nothing to do with these people, since they are in essence defiled and unclean, under the just judgment of God.
If that were the case when the disciples were rejected, then what ought to happen when the Messiah himself were rejected!?
Certainly the disciples were highly indignant that this village would have the audacity to reject God’s chosen Messiah.
But their response was certainly not aligned with God’s will and with that of Jesus Christ. The next two verses make this clear....
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went to another village.
Now, if you have the KJV / NASB bible, you will note that there is a section of text included that is ommitted from the NIV. The reason for that is that the earliest available manuscripts (from which the NIV etc. are translated) don’t include those words. And so, in order to maintain faithfulness with the earliest available manuscripts, the don’t include them.
Does this mean that our Bible is now flawed? No
Does this mean that the newer translations are trying to remove words from the Bible, as is so often claimed by some people. Absolutely not!!
Rather, it’s an effort to be faithful to Scripture, based on the best available evidence in manuscripts.
In terms of the words included in the KJV / NASB, the words are…
Luke 9:55–56 (NASB95)
55 ...“You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;
56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”...
That wording that is here attributed to Jesus in these translations don’t add or detract from the teaching of Scripture, or the truths to which we hold. Just to point this out briefly. The statement by Jesus here that he did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them, is included in numerous places elsewhere in Scripture.
17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
Certainly, judgment will come. Christ will ultimately judge. But his coming into the world in his first coming was for the purpose of bringing about the means through which salvation may come to mankind.
Let us not be too distracted at this point with whether the words belong there or not. Rather, the point is made clear in every translation - Jesus disagreed with the disciples. Our text tells us that he rebuked them for their attitude, and their suggestion of calling down fire from heaven.
Instead, Christ simply led his disciples onward, to another village, so that they could find lodging there. He did not spend time quarreling or rebuking, or seeking to bring judgment upon them, at least not at this time!
We see here something of the mercy and compassion of Christ, even in the face of his own death. He was compassionate towards those who despised him. We will even find that Christ loved the Samaritans, and sought to bring salvation tot hem also.
It was the Samaritan woman at the well was offered living water by Jesus himself.
Jesus told the parable of The Good Samaritan, where the Samaritan was portrayed as the one demonstrating love, and acting according to the purposes of God.
Christ’s goal is indeed to head to the cross in order to bring salvation to people. He does not stop to quibble with those who will not receive him.
As we proceed in our study, the two things that must be fixed in our minds at this point are these:
Firstly, that Jesus set his face resolutely towards Jerusalem. He proceeded forth with a firm intention to do that which He was called to do. There would be no turning back.
Secondly, that on this journey, there would be rejection, and there would be a need for self-denial. He would be rejected, but not carry out vengeance against those that opposed him, or refused to support him.
Ultimately, he would even subject himself to the hands of men, and be put to death on the cross on our behalf.
This leads us then to consider our second main point from the passage, and that is…
2. The Price for the Christian
2. The Price for the Christian
As Luke proceeds, he now goes to outline three separate incidents of potential disicples of Jesus Christ. What we must keep in mind is the context of these three examples as Luke presents them. They are placed directly after this account of Christ resolutely setting out towards Jerusalem.
What we find in all three of these accounts is that these would-be disciples are going to be instructed to follow Christ in a resolute manner, even to their own self-denial.
If the pattern of Jesus Christ was a resolute, setting his face towards Jerusalem in obedience to the Father, then the price for the followers of Jesus is a resolute, setting their face towards the Son, Jesus Christ, in obedience to him.
Philip Ryken writes...
Luke, Volumes 1 & 2 On the Road to the Cross
Jesus never denied the more difficult aspects of discipleship, but always announced them in advance. He never presented the Christian life as a life of ease, but always of sacrifice. His message was, “I love you and have a difficult plan for your life.”
Let me say at the outset, that these examples are unsettling. They confront us with the high cost, the high priority of following Christ in our lives.
If there is one thing that I would ask you as we proceed through these, please don’t sit trying to explain away the words of Christ, or trying to minimize the impact of what he was saying. Christ didn’t mince his words. He didn’t water them down. He was clear… even at the expense of losing followers!!
Let us hear the words of Jesus, and ask him what the response of our own hearts ought to be in light of what our Lord teaches us!
We are presented with three different examples of different interactions that people had with Jesus as they considered being, or were called to be, his disciples.
Firstly, in this regard, we find that...
2.1. Following Christ will Mean Rejection and Uncertainty (vv.57-58)
2.1. Following Christ will Mean Rejection and Uncertainty (vv.57-58)
Verse 57-58...
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Now at first glance, we must commend this man for his seeming devotion to Jesus. He is the one that approached Jesus, and seemingly the only intention that he had was to follow Jesus. He wants to be a follower. Matthew tells us that this man was a Scribe (Mat.8:19). He was knowledgeable in the law of God. He was an upstanding member of society - well respected. Surely, this is the kind of man that Jesus would have jumped at the opportunity to have on board as a follower?
Keep in mind that the Scribes, Pharisees etc were for the most part antagonistic towards Jesus. For all that we can tell, there was no ulterior motive here in this Scribe. In fact, it appears to us that this man was indeed truly impressed with the life and miracles of Jesus, and wanted to follow him. He claims that he is prepared to follow, “wherever you go...”
But Jesus’ response is not what we would expect. He does anything but encourage him. Instead, Jesus almost sought to put the man off of following him...
58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Instead of encouraging this man to follow him, he tells him of the sacrifice that he’ll need to make if he’s serious in his desire to follow Christ.
He says that even the animals have places to lie down and sleep, places of refuge and shelter where they lay down their heads in order to sleep in peace and a protected environment.
These are comforts that we ourselves love, and so often presume upon. Jesus is saying to this man that he as the Son of God, has no place to lay down his head. He’s saying that he doesn’t have a home to call his own, and even as he traveled, he faced rejection from people.
Keep in mind that Christ has always set the example in that which he calls this potential disciple to. Consider what he himself did for humanity. Before the beginning of time, he was seated in glory, in heavenly mansions upon a throne, beside the Father, with great splendour and honour.
But he left His Father’s throne, entered into the dark world of humanity. We can scarcely begin to imagine the comparison. But even further than that, when he lived his life in this world, it was a life that was marked by not having a place to stay. It was marked also by rejection in various places.
When he was born, there was no place for him in the inn in Bethlehem, and so he was born in an animal shelter, and placed in a manger - a feeding trough.
When Christ was preaching in Judea, he was rejected by the Jewish leaders, and they sought to put him to death for breaking the Sabbath.
When Christ healed the Gerasene demoniac, the people of that region begged Jesus to leave their area.
As Christ set out on the road to Jerusalem - set his face towards Jerusalem - he was rejected by the people of Samaria, when they refused him lodging.
Christ warns this Scribe that in following Christ, there will be great cost. Foxes have holes - these are their homes. Birds of the air have nests… that is their home. But the Son of Man - he has no place to lay his head… and so when you say you will follow him, be prepared to follow in this manner.
Pause...
Dear friends, we must ask ourselves in this moment, if we are those disciples that would be prepared to give up everything, even our very homes, for the sake of following Jesus Christ?
The disciples of Jesus themselves had left everything to follow him.
28 Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.”
29 And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
Jesus tells this Scribe that to follow him truly is a costly exercise. You may find that you have no place even to lay down your head for rest. Are you prepared to follow under these circumstances?
The question that needs to be asked is, is God our dwelling place?
1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Is God the one, is Christ the one, in whom we find all our sense of security, such that if all were to be taken away from us, we’d be content in him.
I’m not saying that this would ever be easy. I’m not saying that you’ll do this with no expression. It takes a wrestling against our own desires and the wants of our flesh that appear to be so strong against us.
But ultimately, this discipleship would flow out of a deep conviction that Christ is truly the Son of God who gave up everything for my sake, and nothing is of greater importance or value in my life that obedience to Him. Christ is worth following, even without the comforts of this world! Even with the rejection that it would bring.
The second price that the disciple of Jesus is called to consider, is that...
2.2. Following Christ Requires Absolute Loyalty (vv.59-60)
2.2. Following Christ Requires Absolute Loyalty (vv.59-60)
In this instance, it is Jesus that initiates a call to a particular man, and says that this man should follow him.
59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”
The call from Jesus is for this disciple to follow him. But he wasn’t prepared to follow Jesus. He was prepared to be a part of the crowd that was following Jesus. He was prepared to be part of the large group that would follow Jesus when and how it suited them, but was he prepared to follow Jesus, irrespective of the cost?
The answer is clearly portrayed to us, as this man asks Jesus for permission to rather first go and bury his father.
Now, we need to understand here that the father of this man was not presently dead. Some say that he was dead - and this was a matter of attending his father’s funeral. But that’s extremely unlikely. In those days, usually a person was buried within 24 hours of passing away, otherwise the body would decompose very quickly and begin to smell because of the heat.
So here, he wasn’t facing the recent death of a family member, and thus asking Jesus permission to go an attend the funeral that was about to take place.
Rather, this man was saying to Jesus, I want to continue to live with my father, I want to care for him and look after him, and once he has passed on from this life, then I’ll be in a place to come and follow you.
Luke Comments
For a Jew this was a religious duty having precedence over everything else. Only in the case of a temporary Nazirite vow (Num 6:6–7) or if one were the high priest (Lev 21:10–11) could one be absolved from this duty.
But Jesus demande obedience that went beyond family obligations. Jesus demands immediate obedience, not obedience at a time that would seem more convenient or appropriate.
Let me pause there, and apply this to our own lives. Very often, we would rather wait for a more opportune time to follow Jesus, but we don’t think that time is now. I’m sure we’ve all heard of those who say they will follow Jesus, but they’ll do it when the time is a little more convenient.... or they would rather say, “appropriate.”
They’ll follow Jesus when they’ve settled down with a family.
They’ll follow Jesus when they have progressed far enough in their business endeavours.
They’ll follow Jesus when they’ve finished their studies.
They’ll follow Jesus when the kids have left the house, and they have more time.
On and on the excuses and reasons will go, but they’re not ready to follow right yet. At least they’re not ready to fully commit to Jesus, and to what it means to live in obedience to him.
That’s where this man was. Essentially he was saying to Jesus that he was happy to follow Jesus - of course he was. Jesus was a great teacher, a miracle worker. Yes, I’ll follow. But I’m not prepared to follow him right in this moment. I just need some appropriate things in place, and then will be the right time.
Dear Friends, this is foolishness!! If you’re not prepared to follow Jesus now, then you’re not prepared to follow him at all. If you have to wait for your life to get in order before you follow Him, then you need to ask yourself if you’re truly prepared to follow him at all.
The big question really is, are you prepared to follow him because of who He is?? Are you prepared to follow Him because he is of exceedingly great value and importance, above anything and everything else?!
Verse 60 tells us the response of Jesus.
60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”
Notice the sense of urgency in the words of Jesus. He says that this man must let the dead bury their own dead.
The implicaton of this, firstly, is that there is no time to waste. You can’t afford to wait for the burial of your father. You need to follow now! Now is the time! Obey now!
But further to that, we see the priority of the Kingdom of God.
But Jesus says straight to this man that he has his priorities wrong. When Jesus says, let the dead bury their own dead, he is not proclaiming necessarily that this man is not allowed to attend his fathers funeral. In fact, that’s unlikely. Caring for family is a demonstration of love for God.
But Jesus is saying here, leave the rest of the family that are spiritually dead to look after the declining health of the family member. And if perhaps there is a question here of getting your inheritance, leave them to fight over that inheritance. You, come and follow me!!
Right now, my call to you is this: go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.
A radical calling from Jesus. But the calling comes from the Lord - the one worthy of, deserving of immediate and complete obedience.
The final aspect that Jesus addresses in terms of the price for the Christian is this…
2.3. Following Christ Requires Resolute Commitment (vv.61-62)
2.3. Following Christ Requires Resolute Commitment (vv.61-62)
Again, in this final incident, the person that desires to follow Christ approaches him with a commitment to following. However, once again, they want to set the terms of their following of Christ. In verse 61 we read…
61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”
Immediately, again, we think to ourselves that this is only a reasonable request. Why would Jesus not allow someone to go and say farewell to their family, since they will be following Jesus going forward, and not know when they will see their family again.
The request that is made is very similar to the request that was made by Elisha as he was called by Elijah to follow him and learn from him as a prophet. God had just told Elijah that he was to appoint Elisha as a successor (1 Kings 19:16). Once Elijah had done this, we read...
1 Kings 19:20–21 (NASB95)
20 He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”
21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.
Elisha had been appointed as a prophet by God. He was now to follow Elijah as a prophet in training. But Elisha asks for permission to first say farewell to his family, which Elijah permits. This leads to Elisha going home. He took his oxen and slaughtered them. He took the plow with which he was plowing his fields, and used it as firewood, and enjoyed a feast with his family and friends.
If that were okay, what’s the problem in this instance?
Jesus immediately calls upon this would-be disciple to reject the idea of going to say farewell, and instead, to follow him immediately. And in fact, he even uses the picture of the oxen and the plough, which we seem to indicate a link to the account of Elisha.
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
In other words, Christ immediatley interprets this man’s request to go and say farewell to his family as a matter of looking back. We don’t have all the details set out for us, but clearly Christ knew that this man’s devotion was lacking. He was not prepared to follow Christ fully.
If we consider that account of Elisha, he clearly had no intention of going back to farming. He made that explicitly clear as he slaughtered his oxen, and destroyed his farming implements and used them for firewood.
But Christ here says to this man that he is not go home. No!! Immediate obedience is required!
He says to the man, that no person who looks back once he’s put his hand to the plough is fit for the kingdom.
In that day, when you were ploughing your fields, you didn’t use tractors that are guided by GPS, as is the latest in our day. Rather, if you wanted to plough a field in straight rows, you would fix your eyes on a point far in the distance, and head directly for that point. The moment you looked back to see if you were ploughing in a straight line, is the moment that you plough would begin to run skew and out of line. Looking back was not an option - you looked forward, straight ahead.
That’s the picture that Christ gives in terms of following him. If someone would seek to follow Jesus Christ, they are to set their eyes ahead of them, fix their eyes on the goal of the kingdom of Christ, and head forward, never looking back to their old ways and their old life.
Lot’s wife was an example in the Old Testament who looked back towards Sodom when they had been instructed to leave that place. And as she looked back, she was turned to a pillar of salt.
Paul in the New Testament was determined to fix his eyes forward.
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Following Jesus Christ would require a resolute commitment.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Briefly in closing, we have considered this morning, firstly, the resolute example of Jesus Christ. He set his face towards Jerusalem, the place where he would be scourged, and ultimately put to death. He did this because this was the will of the Father for him in ths world. He pursued that resolutely!!
Praise the Lord that our Saviour was faithful. Praise God that he went through, unflinching, and gave himself up for our sakes. It is because of this, that we have salvation through him.
Now, we must keep Christ before us in our sights. We must keep him before us as our example, and the one that leads us. We must keep Christ before us, and fix our eyes on him, and live in resolute obedience to him.
The extent to which we are to do that, is that we ought to be prepared to sacrifice everything for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ must take first priority in our lives.
That is not an instruction to sell all that you have, and to all go out now as full time missionaries.
It is a calling to so put Christ first in your life, that were he to call you to this, you would do it without question.
Before you sit back and breath a sigh of relief, and go back to your life as normal, ask yourself the question… Am I devoted to Christ? Is He my first priority?
He is worthy!
And He is worth it, whatever the sacrifice.
11 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
May we delight ourselves in Christ, and so follow Him, irrespective of the cost!