LUKE 14: 25-33
A Word from heaven for us all to hear.

As the Word of God, this is a message to those who would call themselves Christians and would claim to be biblical and orthodox, but who have reduced the content of discipleship so as to make it convenient and manageable within western society. Here is a call from heaven to take discipleship of the Lord Jesus seriously, indeed as the most serious commitment possible on this earth.
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As he speaks, Jesus has his own suffering and cross before him. He has set his face steadfastly towards Jerusalem in order to fulfil His Father's will and establish the new covenant by his sacrificial blood.

So Jesus does not mince words. What is required from him is clarity and truthfulness. This is the only way truly to love those who flock to him to hear of the kingdom of God.

Thus Jesus makes two stunning points, sufficient to drive away from him all but the truly serious minded.

First of all, to be a disciple of Jesus and of the kingdom of God, and truly to be under the rule of God the Father, a person must have a devotion to Christ that is greater than his natural affection and loyalty to his family, his kith and kin. In fact -- using hyperbole -- the true disciple actually hates his family. That is, in comparison with his total love for the Lord his devotion to his family takes a very obvious subordinate place.

Secondly, to be a true disciple of Jesus and of the kingdom of God, and truly to be under the rule of God the Father, a person must embrace willingly and joyfully the life of suffering and martyrdom. That is, he must take up his cross as he follows Jesus (who himself took up the Cross for us and for our salvation) in this evil age and world where sin reigns.

Today, too many of us put loyalty to family, or friends, or colleagues, or business relations or whatever before loyalty to Christ. We have not learned to hate all human associations in comparison with our total commitment to and love for Christ Jesus the Lord.

Further, too many of us live the compromised life rather than the ascetic and suffering life. Christianity is adapted by us to our circumstances rather than our total lives being formed by the Cross of Jesus our Lord.

Also, too many churches by their forms of worship,their teaching,their ethos and lifestyle reveal that they have not heard - or obeyed - this Word from heaven. They have made the sermon and the Eucharist and the social activities to hide the wholesale demands of the Gospel and to speak instead of the comfortable and easy way of religion.

We all need to hear clearly the last sentence of the Gospel for this day --"Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

The Revd Dr Peter Toon Sept 8, 2001