3: Count the Cost

Link to Teaching Notes: https://bit.ly/3wbk893

Last week we talked about WHO Jesus is, a question he asked His own disciples saying...

Matthew 16:13–16 (CSB)

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

“But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

➲ The Bible refers to Jesus as “Messiah/Christ” 235 TIMES!

But the term “Christ” is really a TITLE, not the last name of Jesus.

“Christ” comes from the Greek term for the Jewish title “Messiah”, the Anointed Savior the Jews had been looking forward to for hundreds of years.

➲ Jesus is the SON OF GOD.

What does the phrase “Son of God” mean?

John 5:18 (CSB)

This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.

Many people would say that God created Jesus, that Jesus was God’s kid. Read the next passage to see what the Jewish term “Son of God” meant in Jesus’ day.

Jesus is the Son of God, meaning He is EQUAL with God.

In fact, this is why Jesus was killed, NOT for a crime but killed for His CLAIM.

The religious leaders of the Jews believed that Jesus blasphemed or dishonored God by who He claimed to be. Jesus claimed to be GOD.

John 10:31–33 (NIV)

Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Mark 14:61–64 (NIV)

But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.

After Jesus came back to life He appeared to a disciple named Thomas. Look how he responded to Jesus:

John 20:28–29 (CSB)

Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Hold on Thomas. Don’t say I’m your God…because I’m not. I’m just a man.” Instead Jesus affirms his belief. Jesus is not just a good man. Jesus is the GOD-MAN.

One of Jesus’ best friends, John, answers the question “Who is Jesus?” in his writing we call the Gospel of John. He refers to Jesus as THE WORD. It is obvious he is speaking of Jesus in verse 14 where he says, “The Word became a human and lived among us”. We learn 3 very important facts about Jesus within the first 3 verses of John’s writing.

John 1:1–3 (CSB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

In the beginning was the Word,

1. JESUS IS TIMELESS. Further Study ¶ John 1:15-18; John 8:56-59; Rev. 22:12-13

What does the phrase “In the beginning” mean?

Jesus has ALWAYS existed. Although He WAS born in Bethlehem, Jesus has always been. You and I can find out how old we really are by adding about 9 months to our current age. Although Jesus was in His 30’s when He died, resurrected, & went to heaven, that wasn’t His true age.

Jesus is ETERNAL=NO BEGINNING & NO ENDING.

and the Word was with God

2. JESUS IS SINLESS. Further Study ¶ John 8:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 3:5

God is PERFECT. Jesus must have been perfect to be “with God”. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus lived His whole earthly life without sinning even once! Jesus is PERFECT and can pay for our huge sin debt.

and the Word was God... 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

3. JESUS IS LIMITLESS.

Jesus IS GOD. He CREATED EVERYTHING we see in nature. This is why He could calm the raging sea (Mark 4:39) while His disciples feared death. This is why He could raise the dead and heal the sick. This is why the tomb couldn’t hold Him. Jesus not only loved you and died for you…HE CREATED YOU!

We have said that understanding the Trinity is difficult, but One God in 3 persons is taught throughout the New Testament (cf. Matt. 28:19-20 “Father, Son, Spirit). Here is one more example of what we have studied so far. Look at the words that Jesus prayed to the Father.

John 17:1–5 (CSB)

Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ. I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.

TRINITY - Jehovah’s Witnesses laughed. “You believe something you can’t fully explain?”

I asked: “Why is the sky blue? Why do bad things happen to good people? Do you believe our universe is eternal?”

You can’t fully explain details of and of that to me, but you know it to be true.

I believe the guy who rose from the dead.

Total Trust: Count the Cost

Last week we kicked off this series called TOTAL TRUST with this passage.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

And without faith [pistis (noun) - meaning total trust] it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe [trust (verb)] that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Many people don’t trust God because of these 2 reasons:

Don’t believe God exists

Don’t believe God rewards those who earnestly seek Him; nor believe He will PUNISH those who don’t seek Him.

The difference between those who follow Jesus & those who do not really comes down to the issue of TRUST.

To say YES to Jesus means saying NO to other things.

To follow Jesus means we deny our desires when they clash with His.

To follow Jesus means we speak truth even when it’s easier to lie.

To follow Jesus might mean persecution rather than prestige.

CS Lewis wrote: "If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity."

Following Jesus is going to COST you something. BTW, this is not the message you will hear from the most popular TV preachers. But it IS the message of Jesus. In fact, Jesus warned people that following Him would be easy. He told people to Count the Cost before they made the commitment.

Let’s examine what it means to Count the Cost.

John 3:1 (NIV)

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.

The Jewish ruling council was known as the Sanhedrin, a revered 70 along with the high priest which were the equivalent of the Jewish Supreme Court

These men were 1) priests (mostly Sadducees), 2) scribes (mostly Pharisees), & 3) elder aristocrats that functioned as the highest judicial body in the land, submitting to the Roman authority. This is the group of men who ultimately tried & condemned Jesus to death. The group that brought him to Pilate asking that He be crucified. Nicodemus was one of these 71 powerful men.

John 3:2 (NIV)

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

It is this man who approaches Jesus for an evening conversation.

Why at night? With busy daytime schedules this might have allowed for more time to talk without distractions, but John uses the phrase of night as a metaphor for people who live in darkness. As we’ll see in a minute, this certainly applies in this case. Further, Nicodemus is likely concerned about his reputation and this nighttime meeting would have helped him cover his tracks.

First, Nicodemus calls Jesus Rabbi (teacher), addressing Him as an equal. Nicodemus has come to answer a question about the IDENTITY of Jesus. He realizes that the miracles of Jesus are powerful and real, and has concluded that God is with Him. But just WHO IS this guy?

But instead of answering the question about His identity, Jesus challenges Nicodemus to consider his own identity in relationship to God.

John 3:3 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

If no one can see the kingdom without being born again, then NICODEMUS can’t see the kingdom of God without being born again.

This Pharisee, this man from the select group of the Sanhedrin, a man who would have memorized much of the Old Testament - needed to be confronted with this truth:

no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again

Nicodemus wasn’t just a scholar; he was a TEACHER.

In fact, in verse 10 Jesus calls him “Israel’s teacher.” He is a man of authority and responsibility and what he taught, others listened to. But regardless of his knowledge, regardless of his privilege, the words of Jesus must cut to the core.

no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again

Jesus makes something abundantly clear: Staying the way he was, wasn’t an option for Nicodemus. Not if he wanted to see the kingdom of God.

The same is true for you, and for me; regardless of your church attendance, biblical knowledge, or prestigious position - we need to be reminded:

No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

A theological conversation follows, but I want us to skip forward purposefully so we can see the rest of the story.

John 3:13–15 (NIV)

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

And there our word is again, the word from last week - often translated believe. This word also means TRUST. Let’s read verse 14 together and insert TRUSTS for believes.

Notice that Jesus doesn’t tell Nicodemus to ‘pray a prayer’ or gain more Bible knowledge. Instead, Jesus points him to a time that is coming; a time when Jesus will be lifted up on a cross. Jesus is calling Nicodemus to TOTAL TRUST. But it’s going to be a process for Nicodemus, maybe like it is for you.

Let’s fast forward. In John 7, the Sanhedrin has sent men to arrest Jesus. But instead, they come back blown away by his teaching.

John 7:45–49 (NIV)

Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied. “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

There’s our word again, no other Pharisees have believed or TRUSTED in Him...or so they think. But something has been going on in the mind of Nicodemus since his evening Q&A with Jesus.

Enter Nicodemus, stage left.

John 7:50–52 (NIV)

Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

Here is a judge, Nicodemus, reminding his peers of their duty to pursue justice instead of revenge. It is not obvious if Nicodemus has TRUSTED Jesus yet, but he is about to learn a dangerous lesson...facts don’t matter when people are angry.

John 7:52 (NIV)

They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

Actually, Jonah came out of Galilee, but truth didn’t matter to these angry men. So instead of appreciating the legal point Nicodemus is made, his peers turn on him. Maybe this is why he came at night before. What is now very clear however is this: trusting Jesus will cost Nicodemus. It will likely cost him his position and possibly his life.

➠ So too, OUR NATION is becoming less favorable toward toward those who give Jesus TOTAL TRUST. You and I must count the cost too. Are we willing to TRUST Jesus if it cost something - our prestige, position, our job, our family, our lives?

Kyle Idleman writes in ‘Not a Fan’: “It’s not that we don’t want a relationship with Jesus; we do. We just don’t want it to cost us very much.”

Finally we see the last mention of Nicodemus as well as a new character.

John 19:38–39a (NIV)

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night...

Mark 15:43 tells us that Joseph was also a member of the Sanhedrin. Luke 23:51 tells us that Joseph had not consented to put Jesus to death. So here are 2 of the Sanhedrin who had finally decided to take a stand. They did not consent to the arrest & execution of Jesus. Jesus was dead & they would not have expected Him to resurrect. But now...they do something no one else would dare do. They do something that would COST THEM.

John 19:39b–41 (NIV)

Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.

Who paid for all those spices? It looks like Nicodemus did - expensive.

What about the tomb? (Mt 27:59-60) BRAND NEW: bought for Joseph’s entire family - expensive.

What happened when they returned to the Sanhedrin? We don’t know. But I bet you...it cost them! Can you imagine THAT conversation?

‘We just killed him. We just condemned him of blasphemy. We want him to rot & you are cleaning his carcass! We’d leave him on the cross or have his body thrown outside the city gates. You’re giving him your new tomb and paying big money to anoint his body!”

No longer secret disciples. No longer in darkness or coming ‘at night.’ Following Jesus cost them.

And 3 days later...I wonder WHO was most excited about the resurrection of Jesus!?! I’m sure Nicodemus and Joseph were 2 of them!

Will you Count the Cost? Will you make a fresh commitment to give Him your Total Trust, knowing that...

John 3:14b–15 (CSB)

the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

Adrian Rogers once said, “If you'll put your faith where God has put your sins, God will save you.”