Requirements

When Jesus walked the earth He was looking for more than just converts. He was looking for disciples, people who would follow Him. So, from one perspective, the Gospels are accounts of Him calling people to follow Him. And in those Gospels we see Jesus gaining – and losing – disciples. One thing that I have appreciated about how Jesus did this is that there was no fine print to be discovered later. Jesus was up front about what He was calling people to. Being one of His disciples would be demanding. He would be demanding. And there are lots of places where Jesus makes that very clear. Our text is one of them.

So, please listen as I read Luke 14.25-33.

Here, we see Jesus calling people to follow Him. He tells them, in no uncertain terms, that they need to be careful as they consider His call. He tells them to count the cost before they sign up. There will be a price to pay if they would become one of His. So, in our text Jesus explains what is required if someone would follow Him. I’m going to focus on three of His requirements of anyone who would be His disciple.

One: he must hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters.

Two: he must hate his own life.

Three: he must renounce all that he has.

That seems pretty clear. No fine print. But as soon as you take a minute to think about these three, there are questions. What exactly do these requirements mean? What is it that Jesus demands? At first blush, these requirements sound awful. But they can’t be. So, what is it that Jesus is telling us here?

Those are the right questions to ask. Let’s get at them this way. If we took Jesus’ words literally then we would all be penniless monks and nuns who are refusing to take care of their parents and who have also abandoned husbands or wives and children. We’d spend our days flogging ourselves, or doing something similar, to show that we really do hate our lives. That’s a literal understanding. But that can’t be right. I don’t say that because it doesn’t fit our understanding of how to live. I say that because it doesn’t fit with the rest of Scripture.

While that understanding of the text doesn’t work, there is another equally dangerous way to understand Jesus’ words. This is the ditch on the other side of the road. Here, people understand Jesus as saying something like, ‘Gee, it would be nice if you really liked Me a bit more than your stuff and the other people in your life and maybe even yourself.’ But that’s no good. And it’s no good for the same reason. It doesn’t fit with the rest of Scripture either.

So, how shall we understand Jesus’ words? Here’s a good way that fits with the rest of Scripture. It’s as if Jesus were saying, ‘If there comes a time when you have a choice between Me and any of your stuff, there really is no choice. It’s Me. If there comes a time when you have a choice between Me and anyone in you family, mother, father, husband/wife, children, there really is no choice. It’s Me. If there comes a time when you have a choice between Me and your life, including any of your dreams or desires or expectations, there really is no choice. It’s Me. If there comes a time when you have a choice between Me and anything, doesn’t matter what it is, there really is no choice. It’s me. Choosing Me trumps everything. And if you are unwilling to commit yourself to that, then you cannot be My disciple.’ Some will try to soften this by thinking that it’s still all theory and that most will never be faced with such choices. But, of course, that’s not true. Jesus wasn’t talking about what might theoretically happen sometime or somewhere for just a few of those who are following Him. This is His call to all, and He means it for all. He isn’t talking theory. He’s talking reality. For those who follow Him, at different times it will be Jesus or their stuff, Jesus or their family, Jesus or their lives. That’s what Jesus is talking about. He has requirements of His disciples. And it will be demanding.

That was about the what. It answered the question, ‘What does Jesus mean by this?’ Now for the who. Who talks like this? Who makes such demands? Here’s one answer: a crazed egomaniac, someone who thinks that the world revolves around him, even depends on him. This kind of person tells people, ‘You have to obey what I tell you if your life is going to work. You’re going to have to choose my way over anything else. I am that important to you.’ Now, part of the definition of an egomaniac is that he is wrong about how important he is. But what if he is right? Jesus is no egomaniac. But the life of every person does, in fact, depend on Him, on listening to Him. Remember: Jesus is Lord. That is something that He takes very seriously. And He is calling others to do the same. Those who are wise will do exactly that. They will submit to Jesus as Lord of all. So, who talks like this? Jesus does, and He has good reason to.

Now, the why. Why would Jesus make such a demand of those who would be His disciples? Based on the answer to ‘who’ I could say that Jesus makes this demand because it’s based on what is true. He really is Lord, and we all really do depend on Him. But I think that it’s helpful to add another point of view. Jesus does not make this demand because of some need in Him. He makes this demand because of a need in us. He calls us to this kind of discipleship for our sake.

Consider this. What does Jesus intend for those who believe in Him? The popular answer has something to do with getting into heaven once you die. That happens to be true, but it is woefully incomplete. Jesus’ intention has to do with life. So many know John 3.16 and think that enjoying eternal life means that they get to heaven to live there forever. They’ve missed it. I’ve talked to you recently about the nature of death. It’s so much more than biology, whether your heart is still beating. Death is about the distance of God. For those cursed with death, God is far away. As a result, they are alone. He is not near to help them deal with the issues of daily living. Life is, likewise, about so much more than biology. Life is about the nearness of God. So, those blessed with this life do not face anything alone. They pursue their days with the Father holding them firmly by their right hand. Jesus’ intention for His disciples is that they would have a greater experience of this life, a greater experience of God, as they deal with the issues of daily living. Eternal life starts now.

But, there is a problem. It is a simple fact of reality that our lives are filled with distractions and idols and lusts. These sorts of things get in the way of our experiencing more of this life. And that is the reason why Jesus tells us that we must choose Him instead that other whatever-it-is. That’s why He challenges us and calls us to choose. In confronting us in this way, He is in the process of saving us from something that is a barrier to that greater experience of life. He wants that other thing or person out of the way so that we can grow in our enjoyment of God.

Let’s consider those situations when Jesus calls us to choose. What is it that we see when this sort of thing is going on? We see something dear being taken away from us. It could be anything. It might be something from our stuff, a precious possession. It might be something that affects of our family. It might be one of our dreams or expectations. Whatever it is, we see it being threatened. Jesus is taking it away. And, all too often, we respond by saying, ‘No, not that! That’s MINE! I want that. I need that. I have a right to that.’ We say that because of what we see. But what is really going on, whether we see it or not? Jesus sees some barrier to our greater experience of life. So, He works to remove it. He calls us to choose Him instead of it. His goal is clear: that we might enjoy more this eternal life; that we might experience more of God. What makes it more difficult is that the barrier need not be something that is evil and terrible. It could be something that, in itself, is quite good. But in our particular situation it is a barrier to a greater experience of life. Left to ourselves we will cling to that something. Left to ourselves we will miss out on more of life. Jesus knows that and works for our good. Remember what He said: ‘I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.’ And that’s why Jesus tells us, ‘Choose! It’s Me or that.’ Jesus wants to get rid of the barriers: the distractions, the idols and the lusts. This demand, this requirement of discipleship, is for our sake. It is an expression of His kind grace. It is to your advantage to remember this when He takes you aside and tells you, ‘I want to take this out of your life. But you need to decide. Choose: Me or it?’

We’ve done the what, the who and the why. Now, we need to be honest. We need to acknowledge a fact. I think that it is quite clear that we have not met these requirements of Jesus. There have been plenty of times when Jesus has said, ‘Choose: Me or it’, and we have chosen poorly. We have chosen to cling to our stuff. We have placed our relationship with someone in the family at a higher level than our following Jesus. We have chosen to pursue our own idea of what life for us is supposed to be like, with its dreams and expectations, rather than choosing Jesus. I doubt that anyone here has actually said, ‘I’m not going to choose Jesus. I’m going to choose this other.’ And yet, that is exactly what we have done, sometimes in little issues and sometimes in big ones. Jesus has been clear when it comes to His requirements for being His disciple, and we have not met them.

There are two ways of doing this. There are those who have the attitude, ‘I know that I have not met Jesus’ requirements, but it’s okay. I don’t really have to.’ What does Jesus say to these people?

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Jesus is clear about His requirements and about what happens to those who refuse to meet them. There are many, these days, who call themselves Christian and think of themselves as followers of Jesus. They do the religious stuff that most people expect of Christians. And they think that they will end up in heaven. But the sad fact is that they are not disciples. ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.’ Cannot. How can someone know and ignore Jesus’ demands and still think all is well with his soul? Jesus offers Himself to all, but He offers Himself as Savior and Lord. Any who refuse to submit to Jesus as Lord cannot have Him as Savior. Jesus will save His disciples.

There is another way that some fail. These want to follow Jesus. They want to be His disciples, and they want to do that on His terms. They want to choose Him over anything and even anyone. They work at this, but they know that they fail. Their desire is sincere. The proof of this is evident. When the Spirit points out some failure to choose Jesus, they are honest about their sin and hate it. This is so very different from that first group.

Now, what about this second group? Are they in or out? Jesus has not changed His requirements nor will He. Is there hope for these? Yes, there is. So, what should they do? Well, the solution is not making some promise, ‘I’m going to start over. From now on, I’m going to do it the right way’. Really? That’s no solution, not for the real world. The real solution is to remember the Gospel, repentance and faith. Jesus knows that the people He calls to be His disciples are sinners. And He knows that they will continue to sin. So, to these He makes some promises. He promises forgiveness of sin, the sin of failing to follow Him on His terms. He promises to give them the Spirit who will work in their lives and change them. And He also promises to be incredibly patient with them. He’s proven how patient He can be. Just think about the Twelve and how often they failed. They lived day in and day out with Jesus. They heard Him teach. They saw His miracles. And they still didn’t get it. But Jesus never said, ‘That’s it. I give up. I can’t work with you guys any longer. Leave!’ Incredible patience. There was one, though, who chose something else instead of Jesus and refused to repent. But Jesus didn’t give up on him. He gave up on Jesus. And now, he endures eternal death, infinitely far from God.

We recognize that we do not meet Jesus’ requirements, but we work at it. We strive to choose Him in every situation. Sometimes we do get it right and sometimes we don’t. When we do, we thank Him for the ability to do that. When we don’t, we repent of that sin and come again in faith for forgiveness and change. And then, we strive some more to choose Him. We recognize that we do not meet Jesus’ requirements, but we work at it according to the Gospel. We work at it looking to Jesus as Savior and Lord. And because of this, Jesus acknowledges us before the Father as His disciples.

Now, in light of all of this, you have some things to do. First, consider how Jesus defines being a disciple. ‘If there comes a time when you have a choice between Me and anything – your stuff, your family, your hopes and dreams, anything – there really is no choice. It’s Me.’ That’s His definition. Let’s be honest. He expects a lot. So, think about this, and then answer a question. Do you want to be His disciple? Count the cost. Jesus demands everything. Now, be careful. The question is not, ‘Do you promise to meet His requirements?’ That’s impossible. The question is rather, ‘Do you want to meet them?’

There are three ways to answer that question. ‘No’, ‘I’m not sure’, or ‘Yes’. If your answer is, ‘No’, then there’s nothing left to say. If your answer is, ‘I’m not sure’, then maybe you and I should get together to explore this area together. If your answer is, ‘Yes’, here’s the next thing to do. Remember the Gospel. Remember that the Gospel is for sinners. That’s you. And remember that Jesus knows that too. So, when you fail to follow Him His way, be honest when the Spirit points that out. Be honest and repent. And then, go back and work some more at being a disciple of Jesus.

And that leads to another thing to do. This whole area needs to be a matter of prayer. That will look different for each of us because our situations are different, our temptations are different, the things that we cling to are different. But as the Spirit points to some aspect of your being a disciple, pray about that. Pray that He would bless you with progress in following Jesus, in choosing Him. Progress is impossible apart from what only the Spirit can do.

I’m going to close with one of our membership vows. It fits. If you are a communicant member here, at some point you answered this with a, ‘Yes’. Let me remind you of the key words: promise (you have committed yourself to something), endeavor, (you’re going to work at this), and grace (this is impossible without the Spirit). ‘Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance on the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ?’ In a few minutes we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper. As I’ve told you before, among other things, it’s a time to renew promises. Today, it will be an opportunity for you to renew your promise to work at being Jesus’ disciple.