The Cost of Discipleship

Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it, a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price, it is the rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son.
From: The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Boenhoffer

John 16:32-33 (Amplified Bible)
32But take notice, the hour is coming, and it has arrived, when you will all be dispersed and scattered, every man to his own home, leaving Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

 Have you known persons who embody all the Beatitudes? What were they like?
 Consider what becoming a ―blessed‖ person might look like for you?
 What in these reflections seem to be just what Christ is inviting you into now?