What is the cost Jesus calls his disciples to consider as they take up their cross and follow him? The Gospels often highlighted the people’s reactions to Jesus Christ’s words, including what was often just difficult to believe, as when Jesus declared in (John 6:53) that he was the “living manna” and that all who come to him must “eat his flesh and drink his blood,” John notes that many of Jesus’ disciples responded, “This is a hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:60) John then writes, “From that time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” (John 6:66). Counting the cost of discipleship means weighing Jesus’ words, even hard words. This occasional sermon series will explore the hard sayings of Jesus.