When the University of Oklahoma Sooners softball team captured its third straight national championship in 2023, the sports world took notice. Their dominance was undeniable—53 straight wins, record-setting offense, and an unshakable unity that made them look unstoppable.
Yet what truly stunned the world wasn’t their performance—it was their purpose.
As the microphones turned toward the players, the conversation wasn’t about trophies, stats, or stardom. Instead, the team spoke openly about their faith. Again and again, players pointed to a joy and confidence rooted not in victory, but in Jesus Christ.
“Our joy doesn’t come from winning,” one player explained. “It comes from knowing who we play for.”
Their coach, Patty Gasso, has built more than a softball dynasty—she’s built a discipleship culture. Before every game, players pray together, read Scripture, and hold one another accountable to live out their faith both on and off the field. One senior summarized it best:
“You have to unlearn selfishness to play here. Every decision—what you eat, how you sleep, how you think—affects the team.”
That statement could have come straight from the lips of Jesus. After all, when it comes to following Him, you can’t play for yourself. You can’t live half-committed. You must surrender comfort, ego, and convenience for a higher purpose.
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The Danger of Half-Hearted Faith
Unfortunately, the all-out devotion modeled by the Lady Sooners doesn’t always carry over into our spiritual lives. Many believers approach faith with divided hearts rather than total surrender.
Too often, we attend Sunday gatherings to receive instead of to give.
Sometimes, we make excuses for why we won’t surrender certain sins—clinging to habits we know will ultimately harm us.
At other times, we bury ourselves in theological debates to avoid obeying the simple, clear commands of Scripture: forgive one another, serve one another, honor your parents, love your spouse, and make disciples.
Meanwhile, we work hard to appear “put-together” rather than be honest about our struggles. We measure church success by comfort instead of by calling.
Far too often, Christians pray, “Lord, use me,” while silently adding, “Just don’t move me.”
As a result, churches cap their own growth because members refuse to adjust their schedules to serve, worship at a different hour, or engage people who look or live differently. And yes, many even tell God, “I’ll do anything for You—except tithe.”
These patterns aren’t random—they reveal a deeper spiritual problem. Jesus confronted this same issue directly in Matthew 8:18-22.
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The Cost of Following the King
1. The Setting (Matthew 8:18)
“When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.”
This verse serves as a hinge in Matthew’s Gospel. After a full day of ministry in Capernaum—healing the centurion’s servant, restoring Peter’s mother-in-law, and freeing the oppressed—Jesus stepped away from the comfort of popularity to pursue His true purpose.
The “lake” is the Sea of Galilee, a freshwater body about 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. Because of its geography, cool mountain air often clashes with warm air over the water, producing violent storms within minutes. So when Jesus said, “Let’s cross to the other side,” He wasn’t merely talking geography. He was leading His followers from familiar Jewish territory into Gentile soil—a move that foreshadowed the gospel’s reach to the nations.
Principle:
True disciples follow when Jesus moves, even if it means leaving the comfort of the familiar shoreline.
At this point, the term disciples referred broadly to all who genuinely followed Jesus—people like Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Nathanael, and even Matthew. Each of them was still learning that discipleship isn’t about proximity to miracles; it’s about obedience to mission.
2. The Scribe (Matthew 8:19–20)
A scribe—an expert in Mosaic Law—approached Jesus and declared, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” To the crowd, his statement sounded noble. However, to Jesus, it sounded naïve.
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests,” Jesus replied, “but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
This was the first time Matthew records Jesus using the title Son of Man—a direct reference to Daniel 7:13-14, where the eternal King receives dominion over every nation. Yet that same King chose homelessness on earth.
The scribe admired Jesus’ power but hadn’t counted the cost. He wanted discipleship without discomfort, faith without friction, and prestige without persecution.
Principle:
To follow Jesus means valuing His presence more than your comfort.
Missionary Jim Elliot once wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Elliot ultimately gave his life bringing the gospel to the Huaorani people of Ecuador. Like the scribe, he said, “I’ll follow You anywhere”—but unlike the scribe, he meant it.
Jesus’ question to us remains the same: Do you understand what that truly means?
3. The Son (Matthew 8:21–22)
Another disciple said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus replied, “Follow me now. Let the dead bury their own dead.”
At first, that sounds harsh. Yet His response revealed divided loyalty. The man wasn’t asking for permission to attend a funeral—he was delaying obedience until it was convenient. In Jewish culture, mourning could last thirty days, and inheritance often came after a father’s death. Essentially, he was saying, “Someday, Lord—but not yet.”
Principle:
Following Jesus requires immediate obedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience.
William Borden, heir to the Borden Dairy fortune, understood this truth. At twenty-six, he gave away his inheritance to serve as a missionary to China. Though he died in Egypt before arriving, his Bible contained six defining words:
“No reserve. No retreat. No regrets.”
That’s the heart of Matthew 8:22—no divided priorities, no delayed obedience.
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The King Who Gave Everything
To grasp why Jesus demands everything from us, we must remember what He gave for us.
Philippians 2 describes the kenosis—the self-emptying of Christ. Though fully God, He willingly laid aside His divine privileges to become human. The Creator of the universe—the One who will reign from the New Jerusalem—chose to live without even a place to lay His head.
This is the King who traded heaven’s glory for a cross. The One who healed the sick now hung between thieves. The same Savior who calmed storms endured the fury of men.
Therefore, when He calls us to follow, He isn’t asking us to do anything He hasn’t already done. Instead, He invites us to love as He loved, give as He gave, and walk as He walked.
When Jesus says, “Follow Me,” it’s not a demand shouted from a throne—it’s an invitation whispered from the cross.
Living Wholeheartedly for the King
Discipleship is not about enthusiasm; it’s about endurance. Jesus isn’t recruiting fans—He’s calling followers. He’s not looking for admiration but for obedience.
So, how do we live that out?
1. For Individuals — Trade Comfort for Calling
If Jesus is truly Lord, nothing in your life is off-limits. Following Him may mean rearranging your priorities—spending less time scrolling, striving, or storing up, and more time serving, praying, and giving.
Each morning this week, begin with this simple prayer:
“Lord, You lead, I’ll follow.”
Then, act on it—even when it costs convenience or comfort. You can’t say, “I’ll follow You wherever You go,” and then stay exactly where you are.
2. For Couples — Choose Sacrificial Unity
Healthy marriages thrive on surrender—not of identity, but of selfishness. Husbands and wives model discipleship in miniature when they prefer one another, forgive quickly, and keep Christ at the center of every decision.
Pray together this week:
“How can our marriage serve Jesus more intentionally?”
Maybe that means mentoring another couple, volunteering side by side, or giving up a luxury to bless someone in need. Discipleship begins at home—in how you love, forgive, and serve daily.
3. For Families — Build a Kingdom Culture at Home
When Jesus called His followers to leave the familiar, He invited them into a new way of life. Families can embrace that same call by reshaping their routines to make Christ central rather than peripheral.
Try one of these:
- Share a 10-minute nightly “Jesus Talk” about one verse or prayer request.
- Host a “Family Serve Day”—help a neighbor, visit someone lonely, or volunteer together.
- Take on a “Sacrifice Challenge”—give up a comfort to support missions or a family in need.
The greatest gift you can give your children isn’t comfort—it’s conviction.
4. For the Church — Measure Success by Surrender
A church that plays for eternity doesn’t chase crowds; it cultivates disciples. When Jesus saw the crowds, He deliberately crossed the lake. Popularity wasn’t His goal—purpose was.
Ask together:
“Where is Jesus leading us that might cost us something—time, money, or comfort?”
Whether launching a new outreach or deepening prayer and fasting, choose obedience over ease. Let’s be a church that moves when Jesus moves—even if it means crossing to the other side.
Playing for Eternity
If a college softball team can unlearn selfishness to win a trophy that fades, how much more should we give our all for the crown that never fades?
Jesus never invited people to admire Him; He invited them to follow. The scribe offered excitement without endurance. The son offered delay instead of devotion. But the true disciple says, “I’ll follow You now—whatever it costs.”
So this week, take one step of costly obedience:
- Serve in your church.
- Confess a hidden sin to a trusted believer.
- Rearrange your schedule for prayer.
- Say yes to a stretching opportunity listed above, whether as an individual, couple, or family.
Choose one tangible action to practice obedience.
When Jesus says, “Follow Me,” don’t wait for a better season. Don’t cling to comfort. Step out of the crowd, into the boat, and onto the field.
Because we don’t play for trophies.
We play for eternity.
We play for our King.
“No reserve. No retreat. No regrets.”
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Reflection Questions
- What area of your life have you withheld from Jesus’ lordship?
- Where are you choosing comfort over calling?
- What is one immediate step of obedience you can take this week?
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