Comment – Faith Wakeling
In today’s Gospel, Luke emphasises the cost of discipleship and that it should not be entered lightly. The opening words of Jesus to the crowds, that were faithfully following him, cannot be put more bluntly: ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple’. In other words, if you want to be my disciple, you need to hate your family, give up all your possessions and be prepared to die.' Not exactly the most encouraging rallying cry to attract more followers!
Jesus is very clear about the cost of discipleship and it cannot be entered upon lightly. Disciples are to ‘carry the cross’ that not only reflects the manner in which Jesus is the living Word, but all the way to Jerusalem, to the very end. As Christians, it seems quite shocking to be told to ‘hate’ your family members and even life itself. But Jesus is making the point, that there is urgent work to be done – God’s work and everything else, including one’s own life, must be put at risk for the sake of the Kingdom.
To give up one’s possessions, such as houses, wealth, a comfortable lifestyle, was a true indication, of the seriousness of answering the call to follow Jesus. The reference to the tower-builder and the war-monger is of one who has not thought it through, or has the resources to pursue it to the end. In Jesus’ time, the building of the Temple in Jerusalem, begun under Herod the Great and continued with his sons. Jesus had warned that God would abandon his house and the Temple would become a ruin. The war-monger is those in society, who wanted to overthrow the Romans, but did not stop to think, how powerful they were. Taking up Jesus’ advice, of finding a peaceful way, fell on deaf ears, as many preferred to cling to their possessions and pursue the desire to rage a war against the Romans, in order that their land would be free. At this particular time in history, the world and the Kingdom hang in the balance. An immediate response was needed and those in the crowd were unable to see it and respond appropriately.
Today, it is similar to the challenges that we face, as disciples and together as the church. Living up to the demands of Jesus and placing them before the world, is required for the sake of the Kingdom, and at whatever cost. ‘Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple’.