Jesus tells the parable following to make the point. The cost of discipleship is high. If you come and don t count the cost, you will be lost. Dietrich Bonhoeffer found out the cost of discipleship. He finally gave his life.
Many people today lose their lives because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
In an area bounded by 10 degrees north latitude and 40 degrees north latitude, roughly from West Africa to East Asia, we see up to 8,000 Christian martyrs daily. Other religions don t like Christians. They kill them. Some ask parents to disown their children for becoming Christians. We can again turn to Revelation for the reward.