Luke 14:25-33

Forsaking all others and clinging to the life that is only  found in Jesus!

Luke 14:25-33

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Continuing His journey to Jerusalem Jesus teaches on the cost of being His follower. 

Jesus is using hyperbole—a figure of speech that relies on exaggeration to make a point. He is not encouraging His followers to turn against their family members; rather, He is explaining that even devotion to family does not supersede the call to discipleship. Jesus and God’s kingdom must come first in the life of a believer. With death awaiting Him in Jerusalem, Jesus wants His disciples to understand that they may be subject to the same fate. Jesus encourages His followers—as well as those in the crowd of pilgrims who had not yet become His disciples—to consider the great sacrifices involved in their decision. This section is unique to Luke’s travel narrative. Jesus sees an abundance of possessions as a hindrance to faith. He instructs His followers to rid themselves of anything that prevents a total commitment to God’s kingdom. For many this meant selling everything they had for the betterment of the impoverished and for the sake of spreading the news about Jesus. This is seen in a tangible way in the lives of Jesus’ earliest followers. Faithlife Bible.

The master’s second invitation extended beyond the city limits, encouraging even more people to come to the feast. This may picture the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s salvation. The instruction to compel them to come in does not mean to force people in, but to urge them. As outsiders, the people might not feel comfortable coming. The essence of discipleship is giving Christ first place. To “hate” one’s family and even one’s life is rhetorical. It refers to desiring something less than something else. This instruction was especially appropriate in Jesus’ day, since a decision for Jesus could mean rejection by family and persecution even to the point of death. Those who feared family disapproval or persecution would not come to Jesus. Jesus’ call here is to follow Him in the way of rejection and suffering. A disciple will be rejected by those in the world who do not honor Christ. Therefore, a disciple must be ready to face and accept such rejection. Following Christ is not something to be taken up on a trial basis. It calls for ultimate commitment.

The picture here is of a king assessing his ability to do battle with another more powerful king. The king sends a delegation only after appreciating the weight and consequences of his decision. Jesus urged the people to think about what it would mean to follow Him, and not to take it lightly. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.