Life Interrupted

Text: Luke 14: 25-35

Hating family members: carrying crosses; counting costs; useless salt. What's up with all of that?

In recording the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem, Luke notes here that Jesus changes the recipients of his teaching. Instead of addressing the Pharisees and religious leaders, sometimes with very pointed words, he now turns to the large numbers of curious bystanders and would-be followers. His words to them are hardly welcoming. His message, if not each piece of it, is quite clear: this new kingdom is not to be taken lightly. It may well require some very difficult reckoning.

How is it that we have often turned this very daunting challenge of following Jesus into something else? In emphasizing the graciousness of the gospel, have we cheapened it by neglecting the cost? Jesus uses a couple of very direct analogies to the matter of deciding whether or not to set out on the path toward the kingdom of God: a construction project and a war. Anyone would judge as foolish the one who began either project without due assessment of resources and costs. Note that even if the builder of the tower or the king contemplating war are successful, they have had to give up the resources required to complete them. That seems to be the point of v. 33, where we are told that any possessions, including personal relationships, may be required.

Yes, there are dangers on the side of appearing to work for our salvation; but those dangers cannot blunt the force of what Jesus said. Know what you're getting into when you accept the king's invitation. For just as the originally invited guests to the banquet (vv. 15-24) had excuses dealing with their possessions and were rejected as a result, the others brought in from the highways also needed to make a choice between life as planned and going to be with the king. The banquet is worth the cost, beyond any doubt; but there is a cost.