1.  "Come"   "If any one comes to me." (vs 26)
To be a follower of Jesus you first must come to Him.  The beautiful thing about Jesus you can come as you are.  He accepts you for who and what you are no matter what.  A lot of people feel like they have to clean themselves up first before they can come to Christ and make themselves presentable to Him. Actually, that is so not necessary because you can't clean yourself up enough or make yourself "holy" enough for God to accept you.  If we will come to Him in faith, as we are, He will do the cleaning.  He will present us before the Father in Heaven as spotless before the throne.  Hebs 11:6..."for he that comes to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a reward-er of them that diligently seek Him."   The first C in discipleship is Come.

2,  "Commit"  "if anyone does not hate his father, mother, sisters, brothers, or even his own life."(vs 26)

This is an unusual verse isn't it?  I thought Christ was all about love, yet He is telling us to hate our family and even our own selves. Jesus indeed was using strong language but he was trying to make a point.  In comparison to your love for Him, and your commitment to Him it would seem as hate to others.  I was reading these blogs about Oprah, saying it bothered her that God was "jealous" for her.  Actually, when God says He is a "jealous God" He is saying that He is jealous for you not of you.  In other words, God wants you to love Him above all else.  To love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength.  Yes, believe it or not, God wants you to love Him more than your own family!  My Mother likes to say, "I put all my eggs in one basket and gave my basket to God."  She was speaking of her 6 children.  She has turned them over to the Lord, but now we rise up and call her blessed!  But we have to commit ourselves to God.  Once we say yes, we need to serve Him and love Him with all of our hearts.  The second "C" in discipleship is "Commit." 

3.  the 3rd "C" is "Count."  Vs (28-30) For which of you desiring to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

When we come to Christ, it is not going to be "all roses."  The Bible says, that all who live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."  We should not be surprised if the world hates us and speaks evil of us because they hated Christ.  When we decide to follow Christ, yes we get eternal life, and forgiveness of sins etc...but Satan will come against you.  Satan will attempt to destroy you and devour you!  There will be struggles, temptations, and persecutions.  I am sorry if you were not told this before you signed up, but this is the cold hard truth.  Jesus is saying to us, if you are going to follow me, you better make sure you are able to keep up with me. He said, "If anyone comes after me, let him take up his cross and follow me."  Weird huh?  He said that before He was crucified.  It was a custom that the criminal would have to carry his own cross to his own death.  Not a pretty picture indeed!  Our cross, is denying and "crucifying" this body this flesh and it's desires to do what it wants. So Jesus is saying, make sure you are ready to follow me, the 3rd "C" is to count the cost. 

The 4th and Final "C" is to "Carry"  "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

The word bear there implies carrying that cross.  The cross is a symbol of death and suffering.  We must be willing to suffer as Jesus suffered.  If we suffer with Him we will surely reign with Him.  This indeed is a very hard saying of Christ.  It is so different, than what we are told in the organized church.  Believe in Jesus, come forward at the invitation, shake the Preachers hand, say a prayer which you repeat, ask to join the church and get baptized.  That's all well and good, but understand once you do that that it is the beginning of a journey where God is going to work in you and shape you into the man or woman of God He wants you to be.  It will not be easy, and it will not always be prosperity and health.  You will walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS!  IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL!  Eye has not seen nor has ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God  has in store for those that love Him.!  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present day are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us!  Fear not, for you have overcome the world!  You will be victorious!  If God is for you who can be against you?  If we suffer with Him then we will surely reign with Him. So are you ready?  Are you ready to follow Jesus and be His disciple?  If so, then pick up your cross and follow Him!

I know this is a hard word, but God wants us to love and serve Him above all else even our own families and our very own lives. God bless all of you as you seek to live for Him.