“What Loving Jesus Costs Us” - Luke 14: 25-33
September 9, 2007
Dr. Michael C. Yarbrough

          “By God’s grace given in and through Jesus Christ, whom I have confessed as Savior and Lord of my life, I joyfully commit myself to being a Covenant Disciple in Bread of Life Christian Church.  For the next twelve (12) months, as a Covenant Disciple, I am willing to give:

          When Bread of Life was born, I converted a room in our house into the church office.  In a corner of the room, next to all my church-related books is a leather case in which I keep my art supplies.  In the case is a pad of watercolor paper.  Under the cover sheet, on the top piece of watercolor paper, is a partially completed painting of a barn on my mother-in-law’s family farm.

          I started the painting almost two years ago when I was on a personal retreat out at Tall Oaks Conference Center.  Now, it lays there – hidden – unfinished.  Every once in a while, I am reminded of it, and I wonder if I’ll ever finally finish it.  I’ve never gone this long between starting and completing a painting before.  I’d like to complete the painting someday, but clearly, other things have been more important.

          The unfinished painting bothers me occasionally because my parents instilled in me an inner commandment that says: “Don’t start what you can’t finish.”  I try to live by that adage.  Before I make a commitment, I try to find out what my responsibilities will be, and then decide whether I can do the task well.  And if I think I can, I then commit myself to the project, group, or committee.  If I can’t, I decline the invitation to participate.

          To what will we give our priorities today?  To what will we commit as the number one focus of our lives?  To what will we give our courage – our precious time – our money – our lives?  What is worth doing?  The decision is an important one – it could be life changing.

          The lectionary today speaks to us about spiritual decision-making.  The question it raises is: will we follow Christ?  In Luke, as usual, a crowd was following Jesus.  What attracted them?  Were they seeking to be his disciples?  It is true – his works were spectacular.  His words were daring – full of innuendo (almost subversive), tweaking the Roman nose of Caesar, and the sensitive noses of the religious establishment.  Jesus might have impressed the crowd, but they did not impress him.

          How about you?  Is anyone here seeking to be a disciple of Jesus?

          Luke’s good news is difficult news.  It’s sort of a “good news/bad news” thing.  The good news is that Jesus certainly wants you to be a disciple.  You are invited and welcome.

          The bad news is that not everyone will make the cut.  You heard it this morning.  Jesus’ words express a doubt that many in the crowd – many of the “would-be disciples” – will fail to meet the conditions for true discipleship.  Jesus’ words urge those who seek to become disciples, to first consider the demands that discipleship requires.

          Did you hear Jesus’ words?  (And you thought our Covenant Discipleship Statement was demanding!)  His is more.  Jesus listed three conditions of discipleship:  hate your family; bear your own cross; give up your possessions.

          When Jesus said to “hate” family members, he used a word whose meaning more closely means “to love something less,” or “to turn away from.”  What he meant was that you must be willing to renounce any family ties that are obstacles to your discipleship.

          When Jesus said to “carry the cross,” he was talking about living and acting in such a radical way that you risk being physically harmed, and this lifestyle would, most likely, lead to personal sacrifice or suffering for your beliefs.  The Christian way is to love Jesus and love the world the way Jesus does – and love God more than life, itself.

          When Jesus said to “give up all your possessions,” he meant that you must recognize that they are not yours.  Discipleship acknowledges that every material thing in your possession is a gift from God – given on loan – designated for improving the quality of not only our own life, but also the lives of the rest of the human family.  To be Christ’s disciple is to love God and love humanity more than our possessions.  Discipleship calls us to trust enough in God to freely let go of anything that can be used for the greater good of family, neighbor, community, or charity.

          Jesus’ words remind us that you cannot be a disciple of Jesus without changing the way you live.  The new way – Jesus’ way – means a complete change of priorities, values, and interests.  Living Jesus’ way means that we live as “new creations.”  After hearing all this are you still seeking to be a disciple of Jesus?  It sure makes you stop and think, doesn’t it!

          One thing we can say about Jesus is that he was very clear about the cost of discipleship.  He was clear about the aspects of your life that have to change.  He was clear about what will you have to change in the way you use your time.  He was clear about what you will have to do with your money.  He was clear about how you are to treat other people.

          In the summer of 1978, Suanne and I joined with another couple to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee.  Our plan was to start our hike at Clingman’s Dome, in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.  The plan was to walk fifty miles of the trail northward to the edge of the park over a period of five days.

          I never dreamed that it would be such a difficult beginning to a journey.  On the first day, we caravanned our two cars from southeastern Ohio to the northern end of the park in Tennessee, parked one car, loaded all of our backpacking equipment into the other car, drove the fifty miles to Clingman’s Dome, parked that car, and started walking toward our first night’s shelter, one and a half miles away.

          When I committed myself to the journey a month before, I did not count on how hard the long day’s drive would be on my body and spirit.  I did not realize how poorly conditioned my body was.  I did not realize how difficult it would be to carry five days worth of food, clothes, and shelter on my back.  I did not realize how poorly marked the trail would be.  After doubling back several times, and taking a couple of false trails, the evening light was growing pretty dim.  I was so tired and discouraged that I was ready to “call it quits” – if I could have just found my way back to our car.

          I questioned my sanity and my personal commitment to the trip.  I just had no idea that it would be so hard.  Eventually, well after dark, we stumbled into our first night’s shelter.  Once we got that far, our course was set.  Each day, our experience gave us more confidence.  Each day, our bodies grew stronger.  After five days and fifty miles, a Burger King and a Holiday Inn were our joyful reward to ourselves.  Difficult as it was, we had finished what we started!

          Sometimes, the journeys we would choose for ourselves might seem to be a playful lark.  Jesus wanted those who would follow him to know how hard his way would be, and the great commitment that it requires.

          If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, think about it carefully.  Ask the questions: “do I have the inner resources?” and “will I commit them fully to Christ’s way?” and “will I finish what I start?”  For disciples of Jesus, there is only one resource needed:  willingness – complete – whole-hearted – willingness.  Do you have willingness?

          Jesus, the Christ, invites you to be one of his.  But – don’t start what you’re unwilling to finish!

          Let us pray:

          Almighty and Gracious God: your way is not easy.  Some of us thought it would be, but the more we grow in your Spirit, the more we realize what a challenge the Christian life is.  We are willing.  Give us courage.  Give us strength.  For, we do want to be disciples of your Son.  It is in his name we pray.

Amen.