The next unit of Jesus’ teaching should be interpreted in the light of the last two units we have looked at. The first one has Jesus criticising those who assume that they deserve the best seats at the table (14:1-14). The second unit warns that such people are in danger of forfeiting their place at God’s table. Now Jesus makes it clear that his followers may even have to choose between him and their place at their family table. Family units were much tighter in ancient times than now. Parents depended on children, and family members of many generations lived together. Sons would continue their father’s profession as a matter of course and you certainly always remained loyal to the family religion. Jesus knew that, to follow him, his disciples would have to break away from family traditions and would be ostracised by their families. Jesus’ hyperbolic comment about hating their families expressed the inevitability that many of his followers would become the enemies of their own kin. In that cultural context this was as big a sacrifice as death. This is why he follows up by saying, “Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples”. It seems to me that, by contrast, we tend to cheapen the call to discipleship: we’ll follow Jesus, as long as it does not disturb our lifestyle goals. The very idea of such sacrifice is increasingly unintelligible in our culture of entitlement and convenience. We have free access to a costly new life. What is it costing you to follow Jesus?
What sacrifice is God asking of you?
Read Luke 14:25-35
