Pentecost 16 (5)

Luke 14:25-33 (NIV) 25  Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

When Jesus informed people of the future cost of being a disciple of his, he used two examples of how important it is to plan ahead considering what the future results could be. He used common examples from his time that are still applicable today.

Building project: I may have enough to start the project, but will I have enough to complete it? One future illustration of this would be the stagnant construction of the Washington Monument.

July 4, 1848 The cornerstone of the monument is laid with great fanfare. Among the participants were President James K. Polk, the Cabinet, Congress military units, fire companies and marching bands. Within the 24,500 pound marble cornerstone was a zinc case filled with mementoes, including copies of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, coins and newspapers. Fall 1854 By the end of the building season, the Washington Monument stood 152 feet tall and the Washington National Monument Society had exhausted all funds for the project. 1861 A presidential order presidential order is issued "to use the Monument Grounds for Cattle belonging to the Government." The grounds of the incomplete monument were known as the Beef Depot, the Cattle Meadow, and the Washington National Monument Cattle Yard during the Civil War. August 2, 1876 Congress appropriates $2 million in federal funds to complete the construction of the Washington Monument. The public funding is contingent upon the transfer of ownership of the monument from The Washington National Monument Society to the federal government. July 1, 1878 Thomas Lincoln Casey is appointed as engineer-in-charge of the monument. He is authorized to hire, build temporary buildings, and prepare a project for strengthening the foundations to support a 525-foot tall shaft. February 1880 Contractors begin installation of the staircase and elevator frames within the monument. May 28, 1880 The strengthening of the monument’s foundation is completed. August 7, 1880 A second cornerstone is set at the 150-foot level, marking the resumption of the construction of the shaft. Twenty-six feet would be added during the 1880 construction season. 1881 An additional 76 feet is added to the monument, bringing it to 250 feet in height. May 1, 1882 Construction resumes for the 1882 building season. Ninety feet would be added before the end of the season on December 19, bringing the total to 340 feet. December 6, 1884 The capstone and aluminum point are set in to place at 2:17 p.m. marking the completion of the construction of the Washington Monument. February 21, 1885 Dedication ceremonies for the Washington Monument.

In contrast One World Trade Center was built in New York City in less than ten years.

Cost of war: I may have enough to start a conflict, but will I be able to continue to produce the resources it will take to win the conflict?

A recent example of not having enough resources to accomplish their goals was the defeat of Germany in World War 2. Although Germany enjoyed huge success in the early years of the war, by May of 1945 the nations was crushed by opposing forces from the West and the East. One evaluation of the loss cites these reasons for their humiliating defeat:

Germany had four key fatal weaknesses in the Second World War. These were: the lack of productivity of its war economy, the weak supply lines, the start of a war on two fronts, and the lack of strong leadership.

Following the invasion of the Soviet Union, using the Blitzkrieg tactic, the German Army marched far into Russia. However, they did so on very slow, overextended, supply lines.  These supply lines hindered the German advance, and eventually led to a huge lack of supplies on the front line. This, alongside key Soviet advances, contributed to the German retreat.

In addition to the poor supply lines, Germany’s war economy could not support the extent of goods needed for the various invasions in the Second World War. As Richard Evans writes, in Germany ‘by 1944, 75 percent of GDP was being devoted to the war in comparison to 60 percent in the Soviet Union and 55 percent in Britain’ [Richard Evans, The Third Reich at War, (England: Penguin Group, 2008), p333]. Throughout the war, Germany became desperately short of fuel, coal and food.

It was not until Albert Speer became Minister of Armaments and War Production in 1942 that Germany  started moving towards a total mobilization of the economy for war, although this was still with mixed success. In mid-1944, the economy peaked. For Nazi Germany, in retreat with a defensive war being fought on two fronts, this was too late.

The promised 1000 year Third Reich would last less than a decade.

Have you experienced the shame and disappointment of “biting off more than you can chew”?

It may literally being ordering more food at a restaurant than you can eat.

Purchased items on credit and are now encumbered with high credit card interest rates?

Took out a loan on a vehicle only to have it repossessed.

Began to remodel the basement only to run out of materials or motivation?

Put in a big garden in the spring only to have it destroyed by insect and animal pests or over run with weeds?

We probably all have horror stories of how we had big plans but were not able to accomplish our goals because we had not properly prepared.

Jesus warned his potential followers up front that to be his disciple, it was not going to be a walk in the park or an easy experience. It would take drive, determination, and commitment on the part of his potential disciples and that they should not expect an easy life.

I wonder how many people actually believe that they will always be free from hardships in life? Certainly we have things in life that are quite enjoyable. (God has given us all things for our enjoyment) and we are blessed by God in many ways (list). Would it not be a logical conclusion that since God is the giver of all good things and that he loves to bless his children that if we trust in him we will indeed be showered with blessing after blessing? Are we not promised this repeatedly in the Bible?

Hosea 10:12 NIV84

12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.

Deuteronomy 7:12–15 NIV84

12 If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. 13 He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you. 14 You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor any of your livestock without young. 15 The Lord will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.

Malachi 3:10 (NIV) 10  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

But should we expect that being a follower of Jesus means that we will have the most comfortable life on earth?

Jesus emphasizes that following him calls for a high degree of commitment which include self-sacrifice and temporal hardship in anticipation of future blessings. What is in store for us is indeed going to be wonderful and we often have the opportunity to enjoy aspects of it even now, but the fulfillment of God’s promises is a future event only promised to those who are willing to sacrifice first.

Jesus uses the two examples of “hate” and “carrying our cross”.

What does this mean?

Life Application Bible Notes Chapter 14

14:27 Jesus’ audience was well aware of what it meant to carry one’s own cross. When the Romans led a criminal to his execution site, he was forced to carry the cross on which he would die. This showed his submission to Rome and warned observers that they had better submit, too. Jesus made this statement to get the crowds to think through their enthusiasm for him. He encouraged those who were superficial either to go deeper or to turn back. Following Christ means total submission to him—perhaps even to the point of death. (See also the note on 9:23.)

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible B. The Journey Continues (13:22–17:10)

The scene changes. Jesus is no longer in the Pharisee’s house, but now a large crowd is following him (v. 25). Jesus challenges the crowd to think carefully about the radical commitment that he demands (14:25–35). Jesus invites all to follow him (cf. vv. 15–24). Yet, following him is not easy but requires ruthless self-denial. The call to hate one’s family members is startling (v. 26). Obviously, Jesus is not speaking of “psychological hatred” (cf. 6:27–28). The use of hyperbolic language indicates that no one can take precedence over Jesus. One must renounce “even his own life” and be willing to follow Jesus in the way of death (vv. 26–27). Those who are not willing to follow Jesus in such a radical way cannot be his disciples

Following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly; our true commitment to Him is revealed during trials. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers (John 16:33). Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost. In Luke 9:57-62, three people seemed willing to follow Jesus. When Jesus questioned them further, their commitment was half-hearted at best. They failed to count the cost of following Him. None was willing to take up his cross and crucify upon it his own interests. Therefore, Jesus appeared to dissuade them. How different from the typical Gospel presentation! How many people would respond to an altar call that went, “Come follow Jesus, and you may face the loss of friends, family, reputation, career, and possibly even your life”? The number of false converts would likely decrease! Such a call is what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions: • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job? • Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life? In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the questions are phrased, “Are you willing?” Following Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your cross? If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice—Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose? Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. Jesus followed His call of death to self (“Take up your cross and follow Me”) with the gift of life in Christ: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25-26).

How did Jesus’ followers respond to his demands for commitment and his openness about the difficulty of following him. We are told in John 6:60 that when Jesus emphasized the cost of discipleship that there were two very opposite reactions.

John 6:60–71 NIV84

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

What may have been the difference?

Perhaps those who left were only following Jesus because their main concern was “What is in it for me?” When they did not see the prospect of handouts as it were, they wanted no more of Jesus.

The disciples (most of them) were convinced that Jesus was offering something of greater value which would be achieved through commitment. Later, Jesus would reassure them of this.

Luke 18:23–30 (NIV84)

23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” 29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”

Conclusion: How determined are we to follow Jesus? What are willing to sacrifice for him and his mission? What can being convinced of Jesus’ promises lead to dedicate ourselves to him and his will for our lives?