The Terms and Conditions of Discipleship Luke 9:23-27

Introduction:

One of the most important aspects of proper biblical interpretation is something called context. In fact, a good little saying to memorize to help you remember this tool is “context is king.” Simply put, whenever you read and interpret the Bible, we need to be careful never to isolate any passage, verse, phrase or word from what surrounds it. When we do this, it can lead us to coming up with the wrong interpretation. So, whenever you read the Bible, it is important to, at the very least, ask yourself the questions of:

What is going on here?

What comes before it and after it?

How does it fit into the chapter?

How does it fit into the particular book as a whole?

How does it fit into the rest of scripture?

Context is relevant to the passage we have just read, because, if were not careful, we may think this is a separate conversation from what preceded it, when it is actually a continuation of the conversation Jesus was having with the 12 Apostles in v.18-22 where Jesus asked his disciples two questions:

Who do the crowds say that I am?

Who do you say that I am?

A question that Peter answered on behalf of the group declaring that Jesus was the Christ or anointed one or Messiah of God. Jesus tells them they got the answer right and then informs them in v.21-22 that there journey to Jerusalem was not going to end up in victory (not in the short term anyway) but instead in his death. That he was going to suffer and die at the hands of the Jews but then be raised again on the third day.

This meant that, as his disciples, they needed to realize one thing: To join Jesus on his journey toward Jerusalem and as his followers for life, was to follow him not into triumph but instead into a life of suffering.

He begins to explain to them that being his disciple was going to cost them far more than they ever probably thought it would. That there is a high cost to being a disciple of Jesus.

That’s is a radically different message than we typically hear today. Hardly any modern evangelical teacher will tell you that the christian life is one of difficulty, but that is what Jesus said.

Jesus explaining to them about the cost of being his disciple reads to me a bit like the terms and conditions of a contract. (You know that fine print that hardly any of us ever read but always click that we did.)

What exactly is a term and condition?

A term and condition is a specific provision or requirement that is part of a larger agreement or contract. It is a detailed and explicit statement that outlines the responsibilities, obligations, and rights of the parties involved in the agreement. Terms and conditions are typically written in a clear and concise manner to avoid ambiguity and ensure that all parties understand their roles and commitments.

In the context of a contract, terms and conditions may include:

* Payment terms

* Delivery dates

* Warranties or guarantees

* Liability and responsibility

* Dispute resolution procedures

* Termination or cancellation policies

A term is a specific provision or requirement within a contract or agreement. It defines a specific aspect of the agreement, like a delivery date or payment amount.

* A condition, on the other hand, is a specific circumstance or situation that must exist or be met for the contract or agreement to be valid or enforceable.

By outlining these terms and conditions, parties can establish a clear understanding of their mutual obligations and expectations, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or disputes.

A term is a specific provision that is provided to you inside of a contract and condition is a specific circumstance or requirement that must be met.

In the context of Luke 9:23-27, there are conditions of following Jesus, things that we as believers must do. And there is a promised benefit or term for meeting those conditions.

Let’s look deeper together into the terms and conditions of discipleship here Typically in a contract the terms are listed before the conditions, but that is not how Jesus lays things out here.

1.) The conditions of following Jesus. (v.23)

Jesus here lays out three very specific conditions to being a disciple of Jesus.

A.)Self-denial.

Our innate tendency as sinful human beings is indulgence not self denial.

We much more prefer to do exactly what we desire for the sake of our own comfort and appetites than to deny ourselves the pleasure that comes from them.

Deny-to refuse consent to something; to state that something is not true. To disclaim association with a person or event, repudiate, disown (verbally or nonverbally).

What Jesus is saying here is that to be his follower means that you are willing to disown your natural, depraved, sinful self. To give up all dependence on and confidence in yourself and your ability to save yourself.

Another word we would use for self-denial is repentance.

This is where being a follower of Christ begins, by realizing that there is nothing good within you at all!

Romans 3:10 ESV

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 7:18 ESV

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

The life of a genuine disciple of Christ is a life that realizes that only Christ has the ability to save me from my sin. Simply put, we give up all of our rights and interest for his.

B.)Take up a cross.

Jesus disciples knew exactly what Jesus meant by “take up” a cross. They saw literally hundreds of criminals bear a Roman cross to the place where they were to be executed. They would have witnessed many crucifixions in their lifetimes.

This meant far more than to bear some hardship in their life (such as poor health, etc), like we like to think.

No, the cross is always an instrument of death, not just some heavy object to carry around. The Christian, as he follows Christ, is to die to himself both mentally and actively. We are to put our will, our desires, our ambitions to death every single day and in their place we are to follow Jesus and do his will all day every day.

This isn't something that can be done in a passive way, it takes deliberate action on our part .

How do we go about doing this? The apostle Paul spells this put for us in the book of Romans

Romans 6:11–13 ESV

11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

We are to count ourselves as being crucified with Christ, dead to sin and alive to God.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2. We are to not let sin reign in our body or yield ourselves over to it.

Colossians 3:5 ESV

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

16    The mortification of indwelling sin remaining in our mortal bodies, that it may not have life and power to bring forth the works or deeds of the flesh, is the constant duty of believers.

51    Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.

John Owen

Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers (1656)

John Owen

This means that I am to be daily putting the sin that my flesh so desires to death in order to follow Christ.

3. Instead we yield ourselves over to Christ as instruments of righteousness.

To daily place ourselves in his hands to do what he and only he desires for us to do. Bearing the hardships that come for being his follower.

C.) Follow Christ.

This means we give all of our allegiance over to him before anyone or anything else.

We live in a world of competing spectacles. All around us are people and things that are constantly demanding our allegiance. But, we are to give that solely to Christ. Anything or anyone that pulls me away from Christ should be sacrificed as I daily present myself to him as his follower.

1 John 2:6 ESV

6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

These are the conditions of being a follower of Christ, the stipulations i must meet.

2.) The terms of following Jesus. (v.24-27)

The terms or rewards for being a disciple of Jesus far outweigh the conditions.

The term or reward for being a genuine disciple of Christ is eternity and being a part of God’s kingdom.

Jesus presents this truth in the form three paradoxes.

A.) Earthly life vs. Spiritual life(v.24)

To the Lord Jesus this life on earth with all of its decay and sin was not life. Life to him is eternal. If this is the case, it only makes sense then to spend my physical life in such a way that guarantees eternal spiritual life in God’s kingdom.

Life-soul.

Another way of putting this is to say:

“whoever tries to save his physical life will lose his spiritual life, but whoever turns his physical life over to me (Jesus) and my will is the one who will keep his spiritual life.”

and/or

“whoever desires to save his soul will lose his soul, but whoever turns his soul over to me and my will (Jesus) is the one who will keep his soul.”

Application: Jesus is getting at selfishness and self righteousness. The person that lives only for himself and his pleasures and desires and is totally dependent on his own goodness, will not inherit eternal life. Seeking to merit life by his own self-righteousness , he will in fact loose it.

What good does it do you to live for all this life can offer when its only temporary, far better is it to live for eternity.

B.) Temporary wealth vs. The wealth of the soul (v.25)

Whole world- is used as a metonym for vast monetary wealth.

Himself- metonym for the soul.

Jesus is asking: what good does it do if someone make a sound financial investment that pays off but at the cost of forfeiting their very existence?

It is meant to be an absurd question. What good would all the money in the world do for me if I didn't exist to enjoy it. The value of my soul far outweighs anything the temporary wealth of the world can supply.

C.) Momentary shame vs. Eternal rejection (v.26)

The thought of shame here points us back to vs.23 where Jesus spoke of taking up a cross.

Crucifixion was the most shameful way imaginable for a person to die in this day. The Romans had developed crucifixion as a manner of execution in such a way to heighten pain and maximize shame. There was no more terrible way to die than at the hands of Roman crucifixion.

It’s victims were mocked while being scourged, stripped naked, made to carry a cross, suspended high enough for passersby to see, hung beneath a sign that displayed their crimes, laughed at while they hung there and then left to rot often for days until death came, typically from dehydration.

Jesus was telling them that to refuse to partake in His suffering and selflessness was to reject him as their Lord and master.

When Christ returns in power and glory he will reject those who have rejected him.

It is far better to endure the temporary shame cast on us by the world as followers of Christ than to be eternally rejected by Christ and thrown into eternal damnation.

Jesus then concludes his teaching in vs.27 by assuring his 12 apostles that some of them were going to live long enough to see the kingdom of God take effect. This would happen when Jesus would be resurrected never to die again but to rule and reign on high.

Application: The terms or reward of someone being a genuine disciple of Christ is the joy of eternal life spent with God, the value of his own soul, and vindication for any suffering they’ve had to endure when Christ returns. Those are some pretty good terms if you ask me.

Conclusion:

Jesus explanation here about the terms and conditions of discipleship are not about earning salvation but instead they are meant to serve as proof that you have genuine salvation. That you actually are his disciple.

WIth that in mind, let me offer two principles for you to consider as you examine your relationship with Christ to see if it is genuine or not.

Following Jesus means more than believing him; it includes obeying him.

Being a follower of Jesus begins with trusting him but continues on to living for him. Living for him begins then to transform you into his image and likeness. That is the progression of a genuine disciple of Christ. If that is not what is taking place in your life, it is likely your faith is not genuine.

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Living obediently means more than just accepting truth; it includes a commitment to the truth.

We live according to the truths that we really believe. IF we say we believe that Jesus is the messiah, then we will live like it. Tat’s not to say that we will live a life of perfect obedience, but it does mean we will try. It means we will have a genuine commitment to learning and applying God’s word to every aspect of our lives and as we do we will see progress in our commitment to Him. If not, then perhaps you need to reexamine your commitment to Christ too see if it was genuine.

There are some spectacular terms to being a disciple of Jesus, but they come with some very important conditions. If we don’t meet the conditions, then we don’t reap the benefit of the terms.