Jesus said:

Vs. 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and his mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot by my disciple.”

27 “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

33 “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot by my disciple.”

The vision one gets of a disciple is not very appealing when we read these prerequisites, is it?

I am afraid to think what might happen if we made these three verses requirements for church membership.  I dare say they sound more like requirements for joining a cult rather than for following Jesus.

I dare say there are many people who hate their parents, their siblings and it is not because they are following Jesus.  There are many people carrying all sorts of crosses and who have lost everything and it is not because they are Disciples of Christ.   Am I to understand that if I do this in the name of Jesus it is OK?

NO!  Jesus is speaking against soft discipleship.  Jesus was challenging his Jewish audience.   He was saying count the cost of becoming my disciple.  I want you to know what you are getting into so that you won’t turn back or fall away.

To fully understand these verses we need to put them into the context of Jesus’ times.

If a Jew were to follow Jesus it would mean being exiled from his family.  He would be hated and no longer welcomed into their presence.

If a Jew were to carry a cross, it means he was being led to his place of execution.  A criminal was forced to carry the cross on which he would die.  This showed his submission to Rome and warned observers they had better submit.

If a Jew were to build he would plan carefully so that he would not have to abandon his building because he under estimated the cost.

Jesus was warning the crowds to think through their enthusiasm for Him.  He was encouraging those who were superficial either to go deeper or to turn back.  He was warning the crowds that there is a cost to discipleship. Discipleship may cost you your family.  It may cost you social status.  It may cost you wealth. It may cost you your life.  Are you willing to submit to Jesus?

The last thing Jesus wanted was a disciple who became

“the salt of the earth”

and then lost its saltiness.  For

“if it loses its saltiness….
it is fit neither for the soil
nor for the manure pile;
it is thrown out.”

As followers of Jesus Christ we are the salt of the earth.  We are distinct.  We are called to preserve the good in this world.  We are to help this world from spoiling.  We are to bring new flavor to life.  This requires careful planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ’s kingdom.  Being salty is not easy.

Unfortunately many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ.  Are there areas in your life where you have failed to submit to the authority of God? Are there times when you failed to be the salt of the earth?

Being salty is not easy, but let us not lose sight of the end result of discipleship.  Jesus is not calling you into a labor camp;   He is summoning you to join Him at a joyous banquet, where God and His church will be joined forever.

Amen