Luke 14:25-35 confronts us with one of the most challenging questions we'll ever face: Are we merely traveling with Jesus, or are we truly surrendered to Him? This passage strips away the comfortable veneer of cultural Christianity and exposes the radical nature of authentic discipleship. Jesus doesn't soften His message for the crowds following Him. Instead, He lays out four essential realities that define what it means to be His disciple. First, we discover a disciple's priority—Jesus must be elevated above even our closest family relationships, not in hatred, but in such devotion that our love for Him makes all other loves pale in comparison. Second, we learn a disciple's perspective—bearing our cross means living as those who recognize this world is not our home and that clarity is found on the cross, not in the crowd. Third, we confront a disciple's price—salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything, yet paradoxically, those who lose their lives for Christ find the abundant life they've been seeking. Finally, we understand a disciple's purpose—like salt that preserves and purifies, we're called to stand against decay in our culture while bringing healing truth seasoned with grace. The beauty is that we don't accomplish this in our own strength. Romans 8 reminds us that the Holy Spirit empowers us for this crucified life, transforming what seems impossible into the very pathway to joy, peace, and eternal purpose.