Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Luke 14:25-35
Crowds traveling with Jesus.....Hangers on? Opportunists? Sick? Hungry? Curious? Genuinely impressed? Sinister scandal mongers? Conspiracy plotters? Believing supporters? Loving companions? All of the above, I think. But His circumstances were about to become dreadfully serious. He knew this from eternity past, but the followers could not imagine the pressures they would face in the coming days, if they continued with Him.
To be His disciple (student, learner, adherent of the doctrines) one would have to be ready to leave behind everything and everyone else one has valued in life. That's the meaning of "hate" here. Not the vicious contempt we English-speakers mean when we say it. It means to value less than....Himself, the Lord. Salvation is instantaneous when one receives the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. He paid my sin debt in full. I believe that completely and know there is no other way to eternal life. At that moment I receive eternal life and all the things He is. I am now IN HIM forever, and nothing can change that.
Discipleship, however, is another matter. It is a life of active service. It is a taking up of the cross. The disciple is in a state of constantly learning the doctrines of the teacher. It will absorb one's every waking moment. It will require all-consuming loyalty to the teacher and his system of doctrine. There can be no distractions, no excuses and no second-guessing. Loyalty to one's family and way of life has to be secondary, or there is no discipleship. Such a commitment will endure any hardship, suffer any humiliation, go any distance to maintain the fellowship and absorb the doctrines being taught. Such disciples will learn those doctrines and will share and teach those doctrines to anyone who is willing to hear. Such disciples will be with the teacher in his persecution, will mourn his death and will be waiting for his resurrection, even though they cannot comprehend what has actually happened to their Savior and Lord.
So, think about it, followers. There are rough days ahead. Builders have to calculate their costs before they begin construction. Kings must weigh their risks against the opposing army before waging battle. If your salt loses its savour in the midst of the mission, your passion cannot be revived. Your time will have been unproductive. You will have followed in vain.
"Are you listening?"
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