DISCIPLE, RENOUNCE ALL
Luke 14:25-33, ESV
This is part 3 of the sermon series, “Disciple.”
In a generic sense, the word “disciple” means a learner, a follower, an adherent, and an apprentice. But what does it mean, specifically, to be a disciple of Christ? Christ has determined that with clarity. Luke records Christ explaining who cannot be His disciple. By highlighting those who are disqualified, one comes to understand what it means to be a genuine disciple of Christ. The text reveals that many people accompanied Him; He clarified what it truly means to be His disciple. Anyone who listens or reads the text intently would ponder the seriousness and depth of the necessary commitment.
Christ Incomparable
Christ uses strong words that clarify what it means to be a disciple. Those who follow Him but do not “hate” the closest people in their lives and their own lives cannot be His disciples. What does “hate” mean in the context? It means Christ should be above all; no one can compare.
Luke 14:25-27: Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
The usage of the word “hate” here does not mean murderous hate, uncontrollable anger, or unforgiveness. Christ uses a powerful hyperbole. What it meant was that no one can compare to Christ. No one is a close second. Everything close, including one’s own life, is at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Matthew records a similar but slightly different version (Matt 10:37-38). The similarity is that Christ is above all in a disciple’s life. The difference is that Luke’s version uses the word “hate,” μισεῖ (misei), which refers to loving less or detesting. Thus, one can state that compared to Christ, there is no one close enough to challenge one’s commitment.
Christ uses a figure of speech, hyperbole or exaggeration, to deliver His emphasis. Christ does not promote neglect of family and self. But a genuine disciple is clear about who is preeminent in their lives.
Know the Cost
The Lord uses two illustrations: building a tower and going to war. The illustration warns against those who failed to count the cost or those who did not think things through. As if He is telling the crowd, not everyone can be my disciple, only those willing to pay the price, which is everything.
Luke 14:28-32: For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
Genuine disciples will carefully consider and weigh the expectations of Christ. Furthermore, genuine disciples will go all in. Why? Christ is incomparable. There is nothing in this life that can compare to who He is and what He promised in eternity. However, it takes a denial of self and a death to self.
Renounce All
Christ clarified the criteria for those who cannot be His disciples. He also explained the importance of thinking carefully, using two illustrations: building a building and going to war. His main point, which summarizes the previous points, is: renounce all, give up all, and say goodbye to everything.
Luke 14:33: So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Nothing is more important to the disciple than Christ. There is no close second place; the second is far away compared to Christ. Or one may even argue that there is no one second. Everything is done for Christ, including taking responsibility over family and the self.
Application
1. By His grace, let us set Christ above all that is dear to us, including our own lives. Let us prepare to suffer humiliation and hardships when we follow Him as genuine disciples. Let us remind ourselves: we choose Christ, and we choose to obey even if the self does not want, even if the closest to us does not.
2. Becoming a disciple is not something we take lightly. We know what Christ expects; it is everything. By His grace, we determine not to be the ones who stop following Him. All that we have and all that we hold dear belongs to Him, not us. Thus, we are stewards, not owners. We will follow this mindset with us until death.
3. By His grace, we determine to be genuine disciples and we determine to make disciples. What kind of disciples? The kind that Christ explained. In His name, we disciple others by teaching them to surrender to Christ, that He is first above all, no one can compare, and that all of us should give up all for Him.
Poem
GO ALL IN by Ed Pilapil Jr. The Lord Christ alone we follow Not family, not friends, no one Compared to Him, all is shallow How dare I compare anyone? O foolish one, think carefully The Triune God is the treasure Do not live your life thoughtlessly Set your heart on the real treasure We cry death to selfish desires Also known as self-denial This commitment does not expire A commitment full of trials The words of Christ give clarity People like me should go all in In His name, follow completely No reservations, go all in!
Study Guide
1. Who cannot be His disciple?
2. How did Jesus use the word “hate” to drive His point?
3. How do the two illustrations (vv. 28-32) connect with the previous statement (vv. 25-27) and with the succeeding statement (v.33)?
PDF Files
