For Sunday, September 4, 2016 – Luke 14:25-33
Wherever Jesus goes, large numbers of people follow him. Are they drawn by the charisma of his personality, the hope of God’s blessing and healing, a desire for adventure in their otherwise bleak lives? Maybe they crave a brush with greatness, to be able to boast that they are close to someone who might be the messiah. Or maybe they are truly dedicated to his cause, ready to lay down all they possess to follow him. What about us? Why do we want to affiliate with Jesus and his crew of seekers, scoundrels and saints? Maybe it’s time to find out.
Jesus turns and says to the crowds, “Do you know what it means to follow me? It means hating your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—even life itself!” What?! I thought following Jesus meant love, sweet love, welcoming everyone into ever-expanding circles of compassion and camaraderie. Could my definition of love be too small? Standing with Jesus sometimes requires standing in opposition to some of the standards and values we previously prized—even to the point of hating life itself, at least the paltry kind of existence we used to have, the life that never was Life.
But Jesus doesn’t get to be the boss of everything, does he? We still have some rights, don’t we? We can possess and pursue whatever we choose, can’t we? Well, maybe not. Jesus seems truly to want it all. All the things we love—our possessions, our relationships, our inalienable rights, our sense of right and wrong. By the way, Jesus, what are you doing with those pieces of wood? Are you making us some cute little crosses to wear on the way to Jerusalem?
There comes a tipping point in any relationship that determines what kind it will be, whether it will be a simple acquaintance or a radical commitment. Will we stay as long as we enjoy ourselves, or will we have the courage to embrace whatever comes, to love even the parts we hate? It’s time to decide: Will we be his casual friend, or will we be closer-than-family, bonded more deeply than blood? We can hang out in the crowd, listen to his teachings, applaud his healings, or we can check the depth of our own commitment. We can count the cost, open our hands and hearts, and pick up our cross. Or not. The choice is ours.
