Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Luke 14:25-35


Dear Luke,
That story I can explain!  To a novice in the faith, it would seem, at first read, a bit of a strange story.  But it requires a bit of history to unfold the true meaning.  Jesus is telling the story to an audience of Jews, the people who were originally chosen by God.  In this Christian’s opinion, they would be the original invitees who, by rejecting Jesus, spurn the invitation to come in to the party.  In his anger at their rejection, the invitation is then extended to those that were once considered outsiders, the non-Jews.  I would say that this is done in love—Jesus is trying to help the Pharisees see that it is of the utmost importance that they accept him as Lord.  At the same time, I think it’s important to note the exceedingly great generosity of the host—there is a great desire that the house be filled, that all hear the invitation to the party.  So there is anger at the rejection, but Jesus is telling the story in the midst of Jews.  I hear that as a warning, not a condemnation. 
What follows this particular story, Luke, is what I believe to be the most difficult teachings yet.  I do not want to soften their blow or round off their sharp edges—but I do believe that these, too, are spoken in love, out of a deep desire for all people to know him as Lord.  You may reach a different conclusion, but I hope you hear these words with an open mind and ruminate upon them for some time before reaching your final decision on just what they mean.  I will admit that I still wrestle with these teachings.
There was a large crowd following Jesus at the time.  Many probably were there because they had heard of him and wanted to see such a celebrity.  Some were probably devoted disciples, and the majority of the crowd was probably somewhere in between these two poles.  What Jesus said almost certainly drove some of those curious seekers away, but we have certainly found that Jesus was not afraid to say something that might be viewed as harsh or challenging.  I have to believe that there were some who were drawn into even deeper discipleship by the challenge he offers.
He told them that if any of them did not hate their family, including wife, children and siblings, they could not be Jesus’ disciple.  They needed to hate even their own life, too, for it was necessary for them to bear a cross and follow him in order to be a disciple.  He then asks a rhetorical question—if anyone there was going to construct a tower, would they not first spend time calculating the cost, determining if there were enough funds to complete it.  The alternative is to begin the work and not bring it to completion, leaving the builder open to ridicule by those who see the evidence of his poor planning.  Kings, too, spend their time in planning.  If they see that they are outnumbered by the opposing force, rather than engage a bigger foe in battle they will first send a party to seek the terms of peace, in hopes of avoiding an embarrassing and painful defeat on the battlefield.  Jesus then turns the conversation back to himself, telling the crowd that all who seek to become a disciple must give up their possessions. 
He finishes with a brief teaching about salt, reminding the crowd that once it has expired, there is no hope of restoring its flavor or purpose.  It is thrown away, not fit for service.  
Luke, Jesus is trying to prevent the crowd from half-hearted discipleship, from making a commitment in a flurry of emotion and then realizing that there is little interest in seeing it through, for the cost is too great to bear.  Had you committed yourself at the beginning of this series and then found that Jesus was far too demanding, too challenging, it would have been rather embarrassing for you to admit to your family and friends that you were giving up the title of Christian.  It would be better for you to never take discipleship on if you do not intend to go all the way with it.  Jesus wants the crowd to choose to follow him, but he wants them to be aware that he asks for everything from them—nothing is safe from his Lordship.  If the crowd intends to follow him because it is the popular thing to do, they will only find disappointment at the end of that path.  If, however, they take his words seriously and offer him all they have and they are, then they will find the path that leads to true and abundant life. 
I am glad you are counting the cost, Luke, and I pray that you find that what Jesus offers is well worth the cost.
Sincerely,
Theophilus

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