Total Commitment Even to Die
Total Commitment Even to Die
Last week, the nation observed a moment of silence in memory of the 7th year after the terrible, hideous act of 9/11 that ended the lives of over three thousand. This terrible act that brought to the ground the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York will never be forgotten. We continue to pray for the maimed survivors and the families of the deceased that God will comfort and heal them of their wounds and deep pains. American has learned so much from this event and we see the lasting effects in tightened security and many other areas of our lives. Though a terrible event, there is one positive lesson of 9/11 we can learn. The perpetrators and like-minded followers display for us, the true meaning of a disciple. Please hear me out. What I mean is that we see the highest level of commitment required of disciples or followers. These guys are committed to their leader and principles even unto death. We all agree that their commitment is for the wrong purposes but it nonetheless shows true and total commitment.
In today’s lesson, Jesus again gives full disclosure for the requirements of being a member of God’s kingdom and for being His disciple. His requirements have not changed and it is true at all times for any disciple – total commitment even to die for Christ’s sake. This requirement may shock you especially after you see it used in the wrong way on 9/11, but that is Christ’s requirement and expectation of us if we are truly His disciples. Are you a disciple of Christ?
Luke 14: 25-30
25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
Here are my observations from the passage in addition to the ones you may have.
1. This passage reminds me of the level of commitment at the breakfast table. The chicken asked the pig to sign up to prepare a delicious breakfast for humans. The pig laughed and said to the chicken, you really do not understand what you are asking. For me as the pig and with my last name as “bacon”, it is total commitment but for you, it is only a scrambled egg. Please take a break and laugh since you and I may not have gotten to the point of even laying eggs what more talk about becoming bacons. But Jesus really means it and we could be become bacons if necessary in following Christ.
2. Notice that Jesus is speaking to a “large crowd”. You would think that he would be impressed by the large crowd and then water down his requirements so they can all follow him. No, Jesus rather gives them the hardest choice in life. Also note that they crowd were already traveling along with him but I believe Jesus wanted to wean it down. This is consistent with what he had already proclaimed earlier in Luke 13: 24"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. The door to God’s kingdom is narrow meaning it is a tough choice to follow Jesus and let us not make mistake about it. You and I must face that choice.
3. We are being asked to count the cost of following Jesus before we even start. The cost is very high. The things that are dearest to us are being required as a price. Who would not love his or her family? That is the point. But if our love for family surpasses our love for Jesus then we are not qualified to be his disciples. Jesus is not saying literally “hate” your family. If you do, please repent of it. See how Matthew 10:37 rendered the same encounter. “37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” We will be tested at the family level on a daily basis because you may escape others but you can’t avoid and escape from your family. Our families will drive us nuts and present us choices to either obey God or appease them. Many of us have experienced this tough choice and you may be doing so even now. Please care for your family but do not make them gods over God. If you can’t be a Christian at home you can’t be a Christian anywhere else.
4. The ultimate price that is being required of us is to die to ourselves. We are to be considered dead but only alive in Christ. The cross is a sign of death and only those already sentenced to die carry their cross in that culture. Jesus has already paid the ultimate price for us but He reminds that it will not be any different for us as His disciples. Our self ambition and self interest must be crucified on the cross daily.
5. Understanding and accepting the cost also means that we must not preach a watered down gospel of Christ. “Come to Jesus and all your big problems, pains and big bills/debts will vanish and your family will be happy ever after”. No, this a cheap gospel and it is a lie. People can see through that our own big pains and bills have not vanished. Invitation to Jesus is an invitation to live a disciplined life that honors God above our self interest.
Where are you on this issue of counting the cost and even literally dying for the sake of Christ if necessary? I do not know what this means for you but what I do know is that you will face the choice on a daily basis to live for yourself or live for Christ. I must confess that I do not understand it all either but I know that God will give us the grace to make the right choice. Are you a disciple of Christ? then, make God number one in your decisions and actions. Apostle Paul said “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Is this your testimony? Paul meant every word of his because we learn he was later crucified and burned to death. We really start living for Christ when we stop fearing dying for him. What is killing you today for Christ sake? God’s grace is sufficient for you. May God help us. Amen.
Last week, the nation observed a moment of silence in memory of the 7th year after the terrible, hideous act of 9/11 that ended the lives of over three thousand. This terrible act that brought to the ground the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York will never be forgotten. We continue to pray for the maimed survivors and the families of the deceased that God will comfort and heal them of their wounds and deep pains. American has learned so much from this event and we see the lasting effects in tightened security and many other areas of our lives. Though a terrible event, there is one positive lesson of 9/11 we can learn. The perpetrators and like-minded followers display for us, the true meaning of a disciple. Please hear me out. What I mean is that we see the highest level of commitment required of disciples or followers. These guys are committed to their leader and principles even unto death. We all agree that their commitment is for the wrong purposes but it nonetheless shows true and total commitment.
In today’s lesson, Jesus again gives full disclosure for the requirements of being a member of God’s kingdom and for being His disciple. His requirements have not changed and it is true at all times for any disciple – total commitment even to die for Christ’s sake. This requirement may shock you especially after you see it used in the wrong way on 9/11, but that is Christ’s requirement and expectation of us if we are truly His disciples. Are you a disciple of Christ?
Luke 14: 25-30
25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
Here are my observations from the passage in addition to the ones you may have.
1. This passage reminds me of the level of commitment at the breakfast table. The chicken asked the pig to sign up to prepare a delicious breakfast for humans. The pig laughed and said to the chicken, you really do not understand what you are asking. For me as the pig and with my last name as “bacon”, it is total commitment but for you, it is only a scrambled egg. Please take a break and laugh since you and I may not have gotten to the point of even laying eggs what more talk about becoming bacons. But Jesus really means it and we could be become bacons if necessary in following Christ.
2. Notice that Jesus is speaking to a “large crowd”. You would think that he would be impressed by the large crowd and then water down his requirements so they can all follow him. No, Jesus rather gives them the hardest choice in life. Also note that they crowd were already traveling along with him but I believe Jesus wanted to wean it down. This is consistent with what he had already proclaimed earlier in Luke 13: 24"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. The door to God’s kingdom is narrow meaning it is a tough choice to follow Jesus and let us not make mistake about it. You and I must face that choice.
3. We are being asked to count the cost of following Jesus before we even start. The cost is very high. The things that are dearest to us are being required as a price. Who would not love his or her family? That is the point. But if our love for family surpasses our love for Jesus then we are not qualified to be his disciples. Jesus is not saying literally “hate” your family. If you do, please repent of it. See how Matthew 10:37 rendered the same encounter. “37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” We will be tested at the family level on a daily basis because you may escape others but you can’t avoid and escape from your family. Our families will drive us nuts and present us choices to either obey God or appease them. Many of us have experienced this tough choice and you may be doing so even now. Please care for your family but do not make them gods over God. If you can’t be a Christian at home you can’t be a Christian anywhere else.
4. The ultimate price that is being required of us is to die to ourselves. We are to be considered dead but only alive in Christ. The cross is a sign of death and only those already sentenced to die carry their cross in that culture. Jesus has already paid the ultimate price for us but He reminds that it will not be any different for us as His disciples. Our self ambition and self interest must be crucified on the cross daily.
5. Understanding and accepting the cost also means that we must not preach a watered down gospel of Christ. “Come to Jesus and all your big problems, pains and big bills/debts will vanish and your family will be happy ever after”. No, this a cheap gospel and it is a lie. People can see through that our own big pains and bills have not vanished. Invitation to Jesus is an invitation to live a disciplined life that honors God above our self interest.
Where are you on this issue of counting the cost and even literally dying for the sake of Christ if necessary? I do not know what this means for you but what I do know is that you will face the choice on a daily basis to live for yourself or live for Christ. I must confess that I do not understand it all either but I know that God will give us the grace to make the right choice. Are you a disciple of Christ? then, make God number one in your decisions and actions. Apostle Paul said “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Is this your testimony? Paul meant every word of his because we learn he was later crucified and burned to death. We really start living for Christ when we stop fearing dying for him. What is killing you today for Christ sake? God’s grace is sufficient for you. May God help us. Amen.
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