Jesus regularly attracted large crowds because of his authoritative teaching and miracles. Consequently, it was necessary to warn the crowds that being his disciple was not an easy thing to venture upon. He taught “if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). He was not advocating that one literally hate his father or mother or wife or any other family member. He was saying that to follow him required a devotion that exceeded any other earthly relationship.
This devotion finds its expression in obedience to his teaching as revealed in his word. We cannot be his disciple if we allow any other relationship to lead us away from Christ. In such a case, he is no longer Lord, and we are not serving as his disciple. He must always be first.
The Lord makes this claim to supreme devotion even more pointed. He adds “and whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). The Jews were familiar with the Roman cross in those days. They recognized it as an instrument of death. To take up one’s cross is to die to self and, in so doing, surrender all his prerogatives to Christ. Every decision made, every pursuit followed, every relationship is subject to his word. Something as simple as my TV becomes a realm subject to his Lordship, and its use must ultimately please him.
To follow Christ requires that we follow him completely. Every arena of our lives becomes his domain. No wonder Jesus spoke so frankly to the crowds that followed him. There is a cost to consider. Again, he taught “for which of you intending to build a tower, setteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30).
Being a disciple of Christ is not for the fainthearted. Following Christ is not something one does part of the time or only when it is convenient. Living for Jesus is just that, living for Jesus! The Lord gave this summation to the crowds, “whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).
To forsake all for Christ is to give up nothing to gain everything. He is my goal, my purpose, my means, my true satisfaction, my all. As Paul concluded, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Following Jesus we never travel alone or on an uncharted course (perhaps unknown to us, but never to him). He leads us along the way. And, perhaps, the most wonderful thing about being a disciple of Christ is that whatever he calls for his followers to do, he provides the enabling to perform. “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
Are you one of his followers?
From the Chaplain 