And whoever does not bear his cross

... and come after Me cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:27). Many of us will have been reminded yesterday in (online) services, of the absolute brutality of death by crucifixion. Many of the agonies are described in the prophetic Psalm 22, written many years before the advent of codification. A sample “All My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me (palpitations of the heart); My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws (raging thirst); They pierced My hands and My feet; They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots (verses 14-18; Matthew 27:35). Those hearing the above words from Jesus would be very familiar with all of this, and His words must have been startling.

This call to discipleship (for that is what it is), is a far cry from those who invite people to come to Jesus to get rich, or because life will go better if they do. The twin parables that follow this morning's verse emphasize two aspects of the need to count the cost. Tyndale commentary comments that in the first (building a tower) Jesus encourages the would be disciple to sit down and consider if he can afford to follow Him.” In the second (a king coming to make war) He is saying, “Sit down and reckon whether you can afford to refuse My demands.” In an obvious use of hyperbole (an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally) Jesus says “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (verse 26). What He is saying, is that in obeying the command to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, this love needs to be so much greater than even the love of our own life, that in comparison it looks like hate.

One good thing that can come out of this caronavirus (Romans 8:28), is for us to see that there is also a cost from coming out from under the protection of radical obedience. In particular it reminds us that we are in a war to the death with the enemy of our souls, and that in this war between the Kingdom of light and the Kingdom of darkness there is no neutral ground (Luke 11:23). In particular, one way or the other, we choose. The default choice to do nothing, which many take, is nevertheless a choice. And we need to ask ourselves two questions “Can we afford to enter the narrow way (Matthew 7:13,14), and can we afford not to?” As I said above, this morning's verse is an invitation, it is an invitation to die, an invitation to put to death our selfish deeds and desires, and as soldiers involved in this war between kingdoms, it is the invitation to act like the soldier we are called to be.

Lord Jesus at this Easter time, I am reminded that You never call us to something that You Yourself have not gone through in spades. And in light of this Lord, is it so inappropriate that our response should be anything less than to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to You (Romans 12:1). We need Your Grace Lord, I do, and I am asking for it again this morning in Your precious Name Amen