Large crowds traveled with Jesus, but how many were his disciples? Turning to address this crowd, Jesus lays out three statements regarding those who cannot be his disciples. This is an invitation we too need to wrestle with in our own relationship with Jesus. Let's look at each one.

Jesus says anyone who comes to him and does not hate their family – even their own life – cannot be his disciple. Hate here is to be taken in comparison: we are to love our family, and love others as ourselves, but Jesus is to be first, far above all. This does not produce loss, but rather gain, in terms of our relationships (Mt 19:29).

Jesus says whoever does not carry their cross and follow him cannot be his disciple. Jesus wants no fair-weather fans. As Bonhoeffer wrote: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."

Jesus says those of us who do not give up all we have cannot be his disciple. This is in the context of counting the cost. While a builder will need to calculate the costs of construction and a king the costs of war, to be Jesus' disciple will cost our whole being. This is what it means to love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind (10:27).


Application: Father, I want to follow Jesus. Help me count the cost, take up my cross, and love him first.
One Word: By faith we can be Jesus' disciple