Now great crowds accompanied Him [Jesus], and He turned and said to them…any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:25-33
We may have a desire for evangelism out of concern for our loved ones and friends who do not know Christ. It is good that we have that desire in our hearts to see others come to Jesus. We might try everything we can think of to win them to Jesus, pleading, begging, and/or cajoling them, sometimes with marvelous promises of how their lives will be wonderfully changed if they come to Jesus. But, when Jesus called people, He often went about it in a different way. As people began to move forward in response to His invitation, He would say, “Think about this for a minute. At least ask the question: ‘How much does it cost? What will it really mean if I follow You?’” That is what Jesus did in our verses today. Jesus warned those in the crowd who would come to Him, and to those, today, who want to follow Him, that “who comes to Me and is not willing to hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” Jesus was saying this is how much it costs to follow Me. These are stunning words from the lips of our Savior and Lord! Jesus told us to love our neighbor, to love our mothers and fathers and children, but now He says we must hate?! We often experience conflict between the ones we love the most and our love for Christ. So, Christ is saying, “Just a minute, before you come with Me, I demand from My disciples their first devotion, their first love, which is the priority of your new life in Me. Otherwise, you can’t be My disciple, and unless you’re willing to bear your cross as I must bear Mine, you can’t be My disciple.” Jesus, then, gives examples illustrating His point, building a house or other structure, a king considering going to war with another king, common sense thinking about whether one can “afford” to do something. So, Jesus is saying, “Are you serious in your faith? Do you have a consuming passion to follow Me?” If it isn’t, then, you are just play acting. Jesus said: “The world has hated Me, and if they hate Me, they are going to hate you. So, wait just a minute. Before you sign up, count the cost.” Jesus wants disciples who have counted the cost and follow Him no matter what. Source: S C Ball March 4, 2023
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