Readings:
Sermon:
The gospel reading from Luke is one of great challenge and possibly one which can cause confusion. Jesus teaches us to love all, even our enemies, and here he tells us to hate our families and even ourselves. It should jolt us. It should make us feel we have hit a speed bump whilst going too fast.
And in doing so, it should cause us to pause and reflect. What is Jesus actually saying? Why is it so jarring?
This message is one which should really challenge its readers today, as it has its readers throughout the centuries. Spurgeon around 150 years ago, talked about the number of Christians in his day who put the things of the world first and how this message of Jesus was needed to be heard in his day. John Owen, nearly 400 years ago said almost the exact same thing. And I’m sure I could keep going back. It is as necessary for us today as it was for them, if not even more so.
The message of Jesus in these verses is not one of us literally hating others but is used comparatively.
The message of Jesus is about counting the cost, and being all in for him.
It’s no use saying you are a Christian, but simply stopping where you are comfortable. You need to complete the tower, you need to overcome the world, the powers of darkness and even the temptations of our own flesh.
But to do these things, you can only do them in the strength of Christ and surrendering yourself to him.
Which takes us back to those verses about hating our families.
This is comparative, it is teaching about putting Jesus above all else.
Following in his ways, following in his commands despite what barriers our families may put up. Despite what barriers we ourselves may put up.
Are we willing to give up our beliefs, to turn away from the teaching of God, because our family comes first?
It is something which is not uncommon today.
A family member challenges the teachings of our faith, and it is so easy to decide to forsake our teaching instead of standing firm whilst continuing to love them.
It is something that is a real challenge for many Christians to overcome, the tension between family and God.
I am grateful that in my teenage rebellion, that my parents persevered with faith, persevered with the importance of church and finding ways to get me there.
It must have been a battle for them, but the love of Jesus was a priority. And here I am now, able to talk about loving Jesus.
I imagine many would have given in. It would have been easy to forsake their beliefs to accommodate me.
We commonly see it with the tension between taking kids to sports or to church. No judgement on what choice you make, but if you choose sports on a Sunday morning, I want to encourage you to think about how you can prioritise Jesus rather than simply missing out altogether. Maybe an evening service, maybe something midweek, maybe some church at home. We are not commanded to church on a Sunday morning, we are just commanded to do church – as in meet together as brothers and sisters in faith.
But it is so easy to allow our prioritising of family and friends to replace living out life for Jesus.
And Jesus is speaking into this.
When tensions come into the life of the Christian, when the world is pulling you one way and following Jesus is pulling you another, which are you going to choose?
Are you going to be like the person who builds the foundation but doesn’t complete his tower? Or are you going to fix your eyes on our beloved Jesus Christ and follow him.
For he offers us new life, he offers us salvation, he offers more than this world could ever give.
The first disciples who heard these words of Jesus, would go on to leave their homes to proclaim the gospel to the world and face great persecution leading to much pain and loss.
They forsake all, to be his disciple. Just as many Christians around the world do today.
Jesus closes this section with the command to forsake all. It’s not an economic command, but one which sums up the teaching above.
He is saying to those who wish to be his disciple: If the world comes against you, if your families come against you, if even your own desires come against you – would you be willing to leave them behind for the sake of following him?
Questions:
- What things in life feel like they pull you away from fully following Jesus?
- How could you prioritise following Jesus? Maybe it is making time to read your bible or to pray, maybe it is going to church or a midweek activity, maybe it showing the love of Christ to somebody who is difficult or something else.
- Finally, why not spend a moment in prayer, asking Jesus to help you overcome the temptations of this world and to help you to love him even more.