Luke 14:25-15:1
The Cost of Discipleship
25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
About Salt
34 “Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
What Does the Passage say?
Figure the Cost
25–27 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.
28–30 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’
31–32 “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?
33 “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.
34 “Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing.”
“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”
The Story of the Lost Sheep
1–3 15 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story.
4–7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.”
The Story of the Lost Coin
8–10 “Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”
What Does it Mean to Me/ Us?
“Give It All Up For Jesus!” Sounds like an evangelist in the pulpit! Can you give it all up for Jesus? Jesus asks his disciples to make their primary allegiance to him rather than their families. The cost of discipleship was high. The Hebrew word “hate” was not a feeling but extreme language meaning undivided loyalty, preference or allegiance. Following Jesus is an all or nothing proposition for us, as it was for the disciples. Salvation is a covenantal relationship. Jesus calls us to repent. It is a radical call for departure from life as it has been and into a greater life that will be. Jesus expects much because he gives much. We are always ready to receive but how much are you really willing to give. We really prefer to hear about God’s commitment to us, rather than about our own commitment to God! But as the parables tell us, when even one lost soul returns to God, there is pure joy in heaven for the one sinner who changes their heart and life. What are you doing to make disciples for Christ? Each day you have opportunities to share the word of God; to be the bright light in someone’s life; to change your heart and life as you share the love of God in our community. What are you willing to give and to give up to be a disciple of Christ? Are you in a relationship or do you just keep asking for help? Ask God to lead you into servanthood; to be a disciple. “Follow me” is both a gift and a demand! “Give It All Up For Jesus”
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Thank you for your patience with us as we seek to follow you. Give us guidance to recognize whatever stands between us and discipleship. Give us strength to let go so you will have our undivided loyalty and allegiance. Guide us to listen for your direction to serve others. To find ways to sit at the table with those that are different. Jesus served and healed the rich, the poor, the sinners. We ask that you will lead us to do the same. We ask these things in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
*Contributed by Sue McCoy
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