What is the cost?

Estimated Reading time: 6 minutes · Written by Tim chilvers

I’d love to begin with a question. Not just any question, but perhaps the question—the most important one you may ever be asked in your life.

We’ve all encountered big questions before:
“Do you want this job?”
“What subject will you study?”
“Will you marry me?”
Even “One sugar or two?” can feel crucial to some.

But I want to suggest that there’s a deeper, more profound question—one that surpasses them all:

What do you make of Jesus?

Whether you’re a regular churchgoer, unsure about faith, or you wouldn’t call yourself religious at all, this question demands your attention. At Riverside, we’ve been exploring the Gospel of Matthew—one of the four biblical accounts of Jesus’ life—and at the heart of this gospel is this very question.

Three groups of people

In Matthew’s gospel, as in life, people respond to Jesus in different ways. Broadly speaking, we can observe three categories of response: the observer, the admirer, and the follower. Each offers a unique perspective, and perhaps you’ll see yourself in one—or more—of these.

The Observer: Watching from a distance

Matthew tells us that large crowds often followed Jesus. It’s a recurring image: people drawn to Jesus, curious, intrigued, but not necessarily committed. These are the observers—those watching from the sidelines.

Maybe that’s you—you’re here reading this because something made you curious. A friend invited you, you’re asking big questions, or you’ve found yourself spiritually restless. Perhaps the uncertainty of life has prompted you to search for meaning. And the faith of past generations—your grandmother’s Bible or an old Sunday school memory—nudges you to wonder again: Could this be true?

If you’re observing, you are so welcome. Jesus often looked upon the crowds with deep compassion. Matthew 9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” If that resonates with you—if you feel directionless, burdened, unsure of your path—Jesus sees you and cares deeply.

In fact, research in the UK has shown that when people explore questions of faith, the top three ways are: Googling it, attending church, or reading the Bible. So, if you’re here or online exploring faith, you are not alone.

However, here’s the challenge: while Jesus loved the crowds, he often didn’t stay with them for long. Matthew 8:18 says, “When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.”

Why?

Because the crowd is a great place to start, but a troubling place to stay. Observing faith can only take you so far. Eventually, Jesus invites you to move closer—from curiosity to commitment. There’s more awaiting you than you imagine.

On Easter Day, many churches—including ours—celebrate baptisms: public declarations of faith, symbolising the move from the crowd to true discipleship. If you want to learn more about baptism and what that means, you can read about it here.

If you’re observing, wonderful. But don’t stay on the sidelines. Jesus has something much richer in store.

The Admirer: Respectful without commitment

The next group goes a step further. In Matthew 8:19, a teacher of the law says to Jesus, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” This man doesn’t just observe; he admires Jesus. He respects him, calls him “Teacher,” and expresses a desire to follow.

There are many admirers in our culture. People who appreciate Jesus’ teaching, who value Christian ethics—kindness, equality, forgiveness—but who stop short of surrendering to him. They love the idea of Jesus but not the implications of following him.

Perhaps you’ve been there. Maybe you’re there now.

The Admirer is often eloquent in praise. Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher, put it this way:

“The admirer never makes any true sacrifices. They always play it safe, though in words, phrases, songs, they are inexhaustible about how highly they prize Christ…they will not let their life express what it is they supposedly admire.”

Admiring Jesus is easy when life is exciting, when following him looks like adventure and purpose. But what about when the journey gets tough?

Years ago, I prayed a bold prayer: “Jesus, I will go wherever you send me.” I imagined myself traveling the world, doing remarkable things for God. But I hadn’t considered that Jesus’ path often leads to suffering, uncertainty, and service in the ordinary.

Jesus responds to the Admirer not with enthusiasm, but with a reality check:

“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20)

Following Jesus might not lead to comfort. It might not lead to prestige. In fact, it might lead to something far more radical—dependence, humility, and surrender.

The Follower: Committed, no matter the cost

And now we come to the final group: the Followers. These are the ones who leave the crowd and commit fully to Jesus, accepting the cost of discipleship.

But make no mistake—this is not easy. Matthew 8:21 tells us that another disciple says, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” And Jesus replies, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

It’s jarring, almost harsh. What could Jesus mean?

He’s highlighting a critical truth: following him reorders our priorities. Even family, even home—things we hold most dear—must be seen differently.

We live in a culture obsessed with comfort and identity. Home and family are at the heart of much of our emotional, social, and economic life. And yet, Jesus calls his followers to view even these through the lens of the Kingdom of God.

A different view of home

Jesus, the Son of God, had no permanent home. He lived as a wanderer, dependent on the hospitality of others. While Scripture doesn’t condemn owning a home, it challenges how we see our homes.

What if your house isn’t primarily for your security, but a space for hospitality and mission? What if your neighbourhood isn’t just a place to live, but a place to love and serve?

In a culture that prizes mobility and dreams of “the next place,” maybe God is calling you to stay. To dig deep roots. To be part of a community for the long haul.

And what if we reimagined our national identity through the lens of God’s Kingdom? What if immigration—so often seen as a threat—was actually God’s gift to revitalise the Church in the West?

A different view of family

Similarly, Jesus challenges how we view family. In a time when burying a parent was a sacred duty, he invites a disciple to place the Kingdom first. Again, this isn’t a rejection of family, but a reordering of allegiance.

The Church becomes our extended family—not replacing biological ties, but expanding them. For those with painful or complicated family histories, Jesus’ family is a place of healing and belonging.

Matthew 19:29 records Jesus’ promise:

“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

Fair-weather fan or full-blooded follower?

So here’s the question Jesus puts to each of us:

Am I a fair-weather fan or a full-blooded follower?

Fans show up when things are going well. Followers stick it out when the road gets hard. Fans admire from a distance. Followers get their hands dirty.

And the truth is, all of us—at different times—slip into all three categories. We observe. We admire. We sometimes follow imperfectly. But Jesus doesn’t demand perfection. He invites us on a journey of transformation.

What do you make of Jesus?

So we return to where we began.

What do you make of Jesus?

It’s a question that transcends all others. It’s not about religion, tradition, or even morality. It’s about who Jesus is—and who you will be in response to him.

Are you observing? You’re welcome. But don’t stay there. Are you admiring? Wonderful. But be prepared to go deeper. Are you following? Keep going. Even when it’s hard.

Jesus doesn’t offer a comfortable life. But he offers a real one—a life of meaning, purpose, hope, and eternal joy.

And he’s asking you today:
Will you follow me?

The original teaching has been edited for clarity and brevity; This is not a transcript.