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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
When we read on to Luke Chapter 14 verse 25, we move away from the tense, intense and almost claustrophobic atmosphere of the previous passage.
We see Jesus Christ and a great crowd of people going along a road. Jesus turns to them and says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother - his wife and children - his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple”. We may have moved outside but we have not moved that far away from challenge!
Imagine saying that to a large crowd of people who had come to see you and hear you. Imagine hearing the likes of this for the very first time from this preacher and teacher, Jesus Christ.
There will be those who wish that Jesus had never said these words - because here, Jesus is dealing with the matter of how costly it can be to be a disciple.
Not just a believer - but a disciple. There is a difference.
We saw in the previous verses these excuses - anything can put me off - anyone can put me off - if I've nowhere else to go, I'll consider You, Jesus.
Jesus was never interested in quantity - but in quality - in dedication and loyalty and faithfulness. It is difficult to have quantity and quality.
On this occasion most had come to see what they could get out of Him and what Jesus is teaching in these difficult words is - if any man puts family ties and worldly commitments and interests before Me, than he cannot be My disciple.
Jesus does not say it will be hard. He teaches it will be impossible.
Jesus had just had people refuse His Invitation on the most flimsy excuses - I've bought a field - I must go and see it. I've bought five yoke of oxen - I must go and try them out - business reasons - reasons that some might think - well, you've got to do that - you've got to pay attention to that. Yes - but not giving it priority over Jesus Christ.
Jesus will not even accept the highest of excuses - what might sound the most plausible reason.
Jesus is teaching that when a conflict arises between loyalty to family and loyalty to Me - the way for you is clear - if you want to be one of My disciples. You follow Me. When there arises a clash of loves - a clash of interests - a clash of desires - the way ahead for disciples is clear - you follow Jesus.
The word 'hate' here is not what we would describe as the opposite of love.
Hate means 'to turn away from' - that makes the task even clearer. You just turn away from that scene - from that person - from that interest - from what used to be a priority - to Jesus Christ.
Jesus teaches that no man can serve two masters – (Luke 16:13) - either he will hate the one and love the other - or else he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
Family and friends were close to Jesus, but Jesus never allowed them to persuade Him - or sway Him - or influence - or sidetrack Him. Even when they were saying - "Take an easier way” - Jesus paid no attention.
If you are aware of conflicting claims upon your life - or upon your time - or upon your allegiance - they way ahead is at least clear.
Jesus does not permit divided loyalties. It may not be easy. It may not always be simple or convenient - when things may have to be rearranged - but what He calls us to is very clear.
Consider what had to be rearranged in Peter's life - in the life of Paul.
If a man or woman puts any of these loyalties before Me, he cannot be one of My disciples - he cannot even get into My school.
There is a difference between being in the crowd listening to Jesus - and being a committed disciple of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God. "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be My disciples."
When we come and follow Jesus - when we sign up with Christ the Lord - we do not get a cushion - we are given a cross.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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