Is Jesus Worth It? (Luke 9:57-62; 14:25-27, 33)

"...those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" (Lk 14:33). [Is Jesus too demanding? Worth the trouble?

1. To the 3 people who approached him or were called by him (Lk 9:57-58, 59, 61), why did Jesus respond so abruptly/bluntly/curtly (Jn 2:24-25)?
• Would this discourage him, like the rich young man (Mt 19:22; Mk 10:22; Lk 18:23)? What does Jesus’ reply (Lk 9:58) mean to him? 
• What does this reveal about the lifestyle of a disciple (Mt 6:34; Lk 14:33)?
2. Was the request to bury a father (Lk 9:59) and say farewell to family (Lk 9:61) unreasonable? How does Jesus response (Lk 9:60, 62) expose their core issue and their priorities? 

• How can you balance honoring family (Exo 20:12) with undivided loyalty to Jesus (Mt 22:37) and his kingdom (Mt 6:33)?

3. Does Jesus' words about following him sound extreme (Lk 14:26), especially when large crowds were excited about him (Lk 14:25)?
• Is following Jesus about simply believing in him (Jn 6:29; Jas 1:22, 25)?
• What is the difference between “traveling with Jesus” (the crowds) and truly being his disciple (Lk 14:27; 9:23)?
• How does this balance grace (Eph 2:8-9) with the demand for total commitment (Lk 14:33)?

• Was Jesus making it hard to follow him (Jn 6:60, 66)? Do you make it easy to be a Christian?
• As a Christian, is it "easier" to repent of disgusting sins, or to prioritize God's interests over your loved ones who will be hurt by your commitment to Christ?

• 
  "There is no bigger word and no word made more shallow than “surrender.” To say “I surrender all” may be a meaningless sentiment, or it may be the deep passionate utterance of life." Oswald Chambers.

"...you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:60). Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:62). “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" (Lk 14:26).

"If we have experienced regeneration through His Cross, these are the conditions of discipleship (Lk 14:26–27, 33). “If” is always used in connection with discipleship; there is never any compulsion. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate..., he cannot be My disciple” (Lk 14:26). He may be anything else, a very fascinating person, a most delightful asset to civilisation, but Jesus says, “he cannot be My disciple.” A man may be saved without being a disciple... Jesus is not talking of eternal salvation, but of the possibility of our being of temporal worth to Himself. How many of us are of any worth to Christ? Our attitude is rather that we are much obliged to God for saving us, but the idea of giving up our chances to realise ourselves in life is too extravagantly extreme. Some of us will take all God has to give us while we take good care not to give Him anything back." Oswald Chambers. The Psychology of Redemption. 1092.