Count the Cost
April 28, 2023
“Bow your heads and close your eyes…”
This is a common phrase we hear just before a pastor, evangelist, ministry leader give an invitation from a pulpit for people to trust in Christ for their salvation. Ye why is that a cultural norm in our Evangelical circles? Why do we close our eyes? Why do we bow our heads? Why are the new believers invited to talk to ministry leaders after the service is dismissed? Perhaps to save someone embarrassment. Maybe to offer people privacy during a rather sacred moment. Commonly, to remove all hindrances that may keep people from praying the prayer.
But how does this square with the teachings of Jesus? Sometimes it sounded like Jesus was trying to dissuade people from following Him. After His bold statement that those who follow Him must eat His flesh and drink His blood, and the masses stopped following Him, Jesus asked the 12 if they also wanted to leave Him (John 6). Jesus plainly told the disciples that if they want to follow Him they would need to take up a torture device, deny themselves, and follow Him (Luke 9). That wasn’t a cute saying that they put on jewelry then, that was a radical call to death. Jesus even told His disciples that they would be hated and persecuted just as He had been (John 14).
Jesus wasn’t saying “bow your heads and close your eyes,” He was saying, “look Me in the eye and decide if I am worthy of what following Me will cost you—everything.” Then, the call of the early Church, in face of some of the most vicious persecution in Church history to date, called people to join the fellowship that they might have communion with God! The call was to identify openly and boldly with the crucified and resurrected Christ.
This call to following Jesus is more familiar to our brothers and sisters in South Asia than our standard call in the West. Recently, in Bhutan, a lady in her 40s accepted Christ as her Savior. Faith that the Spirit has forged in her heart and that she had chosen to express openly has led her to great trouble, even within her family. Her husband almost left her because of her newfound faith and her children have joined their dad’s contemptuous treatment of their mother. Our new sister’s faith was not a decision in a moment of emotional inspiration when no one else could see. Her faith was a sober choice to absorb the ramifications and declare that Jesus is Lord. She has metaphorically looked Jesus in the eyes and said, “You are worthy of everything”.
This Sunday, if your pastor invites people to bow their heads and close their eyes, don’t cut him off or tell him he’s wrong. Rather, take a peek. Look at who raises their hand. Connect with them, let them know the costs, and commit to being a true brother, a true sister, a true friend who will walk with them as they realize that when Jesus said it would cost everything, He meant it.