Love Jesus Above All Series

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to the Nazi regime. He was imprisoned in Buchenwald and executed in 1945 for his part in a conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Listen to what he wrote in his classic book, The Cost of Discipleship.

“Cheap grace, is the grace we bestow on ourselves...cheap grace is grace without discipleship...costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again…it is costly because it costs a man His life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life…as we embark upon discipleship, we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with His death...when Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”

In our “Discipleship Matters” series, we’ve defined a disciple as someone who lovingly follows Jesus and intentionally helps others follow Him. Two weeks ago, we were challenged to live not according to the ways of the world, but by the truth of God’s Word. Last weekend we established love for one another as the distinctive mark of a disciple.

Here’s our approach. The sermon will be shorter (some of you want to say, ‘Amen’ while others are probably saying, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’). The reason is because I want you to hear from Pastor Tim and Pastor Kyle as they share their hearts about the importance of intentional discipleship.

Our passage for today is pointed and powerful, stunning and shocking. These words spoken by Jesus are difficult and demanding, abrupt and offensive, and run counter to our Christian subculture. In fact, you may find yourself pushing back. Let’s resist the urge to dilute these demands and allow the full force of them to jar us out of complacent and comfortable Christianity.

Let’s stand and read Luke 14:25-27: “Now great crowds accompanied Him, and He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.’”

Let’s make two observations before diving in.

1. This is an urgent evangelistic passage. In context, Jesus just finished telling a parable about the importance of inviting people to His banquet. Listen to Luke 14:23: “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”

2. This is a demanding discipleship passage. Jesus also gives some conditions to those who are considering following Him. The word “disciple” is found at the end of verse 26: “…he cannot be my disciple” and in verse 27: “…cannot be my disciple.” If you were to keep reading, you’d also find “disciple” in verse 33: “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

A disciple is a learner or follower and was used to describe someone who was totally committed to a cause or a person. It comes from another word which means, “to learn by practice or experience.” Much like an apprentice, a disciple is one who emulates the teacher. Jesus said it this way in Luke 6:40: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

Jesus is more interested in having committed followers than He is in drawing a crowd of fickle fans. He wanted quality over quantity. The main point He is making is while the family is foundational, following Christ must come first.

I see four discipleship demands in this passage.

1. Move from the crowd to the committed core. Luke 14:25 sets the scene: “Now great crowds accompanied Him, and He turned and said to them…” Jesus often drew crowds, but He was never interested in being popular. This phrase refers to “many multitudes or large throngs of people.” Luke 12:1 gives us a description of how crushing these crowds were: “…when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another.” Jesus knew many in the crowd were following Him for selfish or superficial reasons.

In the midst of all the fanfare, Jesus turns to them, which was actually a very dramatic act. It has the idea of “twisting forcefully” with a deliberate effort. This same word was used to describe how Jesus locked eyes with Peter after he denied Him in Luke 22:61: “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter…” What did Jesus want to tell them? He for sure didn’t give them positive memes so they could have their best life now.

2. Prioritize faith over family. How would you respond if Jesus spun around right now, locked eyes with you and stated: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Let me remind you these words come from Jesus Himself and are intended for each one of us – “if anyone comes to me.” This is not just a call to missionaries or pastors or to the super spiritual.