So, you what to be a disciple?
Luke 14.25-35
In our lives today we here the word “Disciple” there could many connotation to it in our minds. Taken from Luke 14.33(KJV) “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” In the Greek it is μαθητης (math-ay-tes') which means student or pupil. Now we look at the whole passage of Luke 14.25-35 and it is shown to the reader what Jesus is asking. There are three sections that are covered here. The three things are relationships, our work, and our possessions.
Marks of a Disciple
- · Disciples experience a changed future through their acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and of the Christian faith.
- · Disciples undergo a changed lifestyle that is manifested through Christ-oriented values, goals, perspectives, activities, and relationships.
- · Disciples mature into a changed worldview, attributable to a deeper comprehension of the true meaning and Impact of Christianity.
- Disciples allow truth to become and entire work that is driven by God, and a lifelong quest for the disciple
Our Relationships – Do we cater to people first?
The first thing that we come across in this passage is our closest relationships. The family should our closest, friends and loved ones are great, but family should be closer. Luke 14:26 (KJV) “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” In this verse, though it may seem odd that we have to hate our family to be the disciple of Christ. In essence this is not what it is saying. The idea here is that the love and attention that is given to Jesus should be out of this world compared to the love and attention that we give our family. Albert Barnes states “But we are to love them less than we love Christ; we are to obey Christ rather than them…” His attention is that we are to honor and obey our parents (Eph 6:1-3; Col 3:20), so for to hate them would be against the bible. Mr. Barnes places the emphasis on Christ first and foremost, which is the common theme if we want to be a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
- Do we have more enjoyment with family and friends that we do with God?
- Will family things interrupt our time at church services?
Our Work – Whose work is more important?
The second thing that we find is our work. There is a cost in bear the cross that God has given to us to bear. It could be family, friends, loved ones, personal ambitions and desires. The one thing that we as Christians have to do is work. Jesus states in Luke 14:27 (KJV) “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Bearing that cross, what a picture that is portrayed in that a person has in his or her life. It is very interesting what Adam Clarke states concerning Matthew 10.38, which is a parallel verse to Luke 14.27. He stated “He who is not ready, after my example, to suffer death in the cause of my religion, is not worthy of me, does not deserve to be called my disciple.” One must ask him or her self “Am I willing to die for Christ?” This means that we have to give up every personal and/or selfish ambition that one may have. Luke 22:42 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Our Possessions – Are you laying up treasure in heaven?
This final call to qualifications of being a disciple of Jesus, in this passage, has to do with our possessions. In Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” The word for “forsaketh” in the Greek which means literally, to say “adieu” and then figuratively, to renounce:--bid farewell, forsake, take leave, send away.” Matthew Henry states “…that is, except you count upon forsaking all and consent to it, for all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution, and yet continue to live godly.” There should be no strings attached to this world and the possessions thereof. When a person takes a moment in his or her life and accepts Jesus as their Saviour – he or she must commit to not allowing the circumstances of this world dictate the level of devotion that is necessary to a disciple of Christ.
Matthew 19:29 “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
Several years ago there was a big thing on What Would Jesus Do? “WWJD”. This is a great question while we are becoming disciple of Jesus Christ. Though this fad faded somewhat – the importance is here for us each and every day of our lives. Have we made Jesus the focus of our lives to grow and mature?
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