Joel M Bradshaw

25Now 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. 27Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?–Luke 14

Jesus always had big crowds, but were they just there for a show or actually following him? Jesus thus spoke in big terms that dictate one’s priorities. It’s tempting to read this and understand Jesus saying that you have to emotionally hate everyone else but him. But love is also a covenant word. You shouldn’t love your spouse in the same way as you love burgers or tacos. A covenant with Jesus is a unique commitment that transcends all other priorities and relationships. Even and especially yourself, whom Jesus expects you to deny in order to follow Him. If another person or relationship is in the way of Jesus, they are most likely an idol in an otherwise exclusive relationship.

So in context here, Jesus immediately went to counting the costs of such a commitment. Jesus is looking for people who are all-in. Imagine if Jesus had the same salvation commitment to people as some have with him? It would be disastrous. How can we expect Jesus to be fully committed and yet let ourselves off of the hook? That’s not much of a covenant.

It’s heart check time, friends. It’s a struggle to daily deny yourself, but do it as you pursue Jesus. It’s tempting to prioritize the relationships we have in the flesh over Jesus who we have in the Spirit. But remember He saved you and uniquely provides you hope. Are you unique and exclusive with Him? The Jesus cost is high, but the blessings are worth it. Are you communicating to Jesus that He is one of many such loves?–JMB