Luke 14:25-33 | Romans 12:1-2
Jesus has harsher words in the gospels, but it’s unlikely that there are words more surprising to the modern heart and mind than these we’re reading in today’s passage.
Hate my family?
Where’s the love, man?
(And who kidnapped Jesus?)
These are jarring words, indeed. And that’s the point.
Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, “Water is thicker than blood.” It carries the notion that Christian baptism should hold more weight than blood relations. These kinds of implications are very hard. Whether you’re Roman Catholic or evangelical Protestant, you just don’t mess with the family unit.
Jesus is of course making a very strong point. His discipleship is second to nothing and no one. Deciding to follow him is no bullet on some kind of list of “Life To Do List.” You must sit down and figure out the cost if you’re going to do this Jesus thing.
It’s interesting that much of the evangelical church has spent the last few decades insisting on the priority of the family unit, focusing on the family, if you will. There is of course nothing wrong with strengthening the family. For most people, it’s the first and most immediate mission field, with more impact than any other context.
But it can be a detriment. If you don’t like that, take it up with Jesus.
His point is that anything - anything - can come in the way of Christian discipleship. Mom, Dad, kid, brother, sister, aunt, uncle…anything, anyone. Some of you know this better than others. The toll you’ve taken from a family member or two has been huge and totally jaded your understanding of God. Maybe you’re still working on it.
The good news is that Jesus is always love. For you. He’s better than any mother, father, etc. His love knows nothing of familial relations and everything of divine favor.
So don’t seek to hate your family. But there may be times when your perspective or understanding thereof needs some serious contemplation.
(By the way, it’s notable that one of the last things Jesus did as he suffered and died on the cross was to be sure his mother was taken care of. Maybe he forgot he said this today. Or maybe…he was hyperbolizing to make us think about it. The cost of discipleship.)
Luke 14:25-33
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. Turning to them, he said, “Whoever comes to me and doesn’t hate father and mother, spouse and children, and brothers and sisters—yes, even one’s own life—cannot be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
“If one of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn’t you first sit down and calculate the cost, to determine whether you have enough money to complete it? Otherwise, when you have laid the foundation but couldn’t finish the tower, all who see it will begin to belittle you. They will say, ‘Here’s the person who began construction and couldn’t complete it!’ Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand soldiers could go up against the twenty thousand coming against him? And if he didn’t think he could win, he would send a representative to discuss terms of peace while his enemy was still a long way off. In the same way, none of you who are unwilling to give up all of your possessions can be my disciple.
Romans 12:1-2
So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
Prayer
God,
I don’t desire that anything come between you and me. And I’m all in on Jesus.
So show me the ways in which I may be missing out. But also help me avoid religiosity and pompous piety. Remind me that Christ shares in my humanity, desires the companionship of people, and favors a good time.
Keep me sane according to your beautiful image within.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.