當地人將這條路稱為「通往無處之路」，但其正式名稱是「湖景大道」。這條在北卡羅萊納州的道路長約10公里，風景優美，可以俯瞰大煙山國家公園內的豐塔納湖。但這條路在穿過一條約366公尺長、從花崗岩山腰開鑿的隧道之後，便突然中斷了。政府投入數百萬美元修建這條路，後來發現了環境問題，才不得不終止這項工程。

耶穌在世上時做過木匠，祂曾講過一個與建築相關的比喻，提醒人們要計算跟隨祂需付出的代價，祂問道：「你們哪一個要蓋一座樓，不先坐下來計算費用，看能不能蓋成？」（路加福音14章28節，和合本修訂版）接著，祂又講了另一個比喻，描述一位國王在出兵打戰前會先考慮戰爭的代價，也是同樣的道理。那時，「有極多的人和耶穌同行」（25節），耶穌要讓這些人明白，真正地相信並跟隨祂，需要付出代價。

如果我們跟隨耶穌，只是想要從祂那裡得到好處，那會是一條「通往無處之路」。但若我們跟隨耶穌是為了祂本身，那就完全不同了。我們會天天遠離罪惡，捨棄以自我為中心，為耶穌和祂的國度而活，正如耶穌所說的那樣，背起自己的「十字架」來跟從祂（27節）。我們必須計算代價，而耶穌值得我們付上代價。

Locals call it “The Road to Nowhere,” but its official name is Lakeview Drive. It’s a scenic six-mile stretch overlooking Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City, North Carolina. After the road goes through a 1200-foot-long tunnel blasted out of a granite mountainside, it abruptly stops. The government had spent millions of dollars until environmental concerns discovered later ended the project.

Jesus, who was a carpenter by trade, once told a construction parable about counting the cost of following Him. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower,” He asked. “Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28). Another parable follows about a king who considers the cost of going to war, and it makes the same point. Speaking to the “large crowds . . . traveling” with Him (v. 25), Christ wanted them to understand that there was a cost to sincerely believing in and following Him.

Following Jesus only because of what He can do for us is a “road to nowhere.” But following Him for Him—turning daily from sin and self-focus to live for Him and His kingdom (carrying our “cross,” as He put it in v. 27)—changes everything. The cost must be counted. But He’s worth it.