 |
| Will Christ take you as His disciple? |
Midweek evening bible study notes on 17 April 2024
We are going through the Gospel of Luke
Lk 14:25-35
Christ Laid Down the Conditions of Following
Him.
a. Four observations were recorded from
the incident at the Pharisee’s house on the Sabbath day:
- The healing of a man on the Sabbath (v1-6);
- Advice for the guests (v7-11);
- Advice for the host (v12-14);
- The parable of the great supper, warnings
against spurning the invitation (v15-24).
b. From the Pharisee’s house, Dr. Luke takes
us to the new scene - “great multitudes” were with Him.
Q. What was on the minds of these great multitudes? Why were they with Him? - The Lord took the opportunity to set before them, in the most solemn and emphatic manner, in uncompromising terms, the conditions of coming to Him as His disciples.
- “If any man come to me” – not outwardly
like the “great multitudes” that were with him, but coming to Him as the Lord
and Saviour, the Son of the living God, and willingly submit to His teaching
and will.
Q. Who can come to Jesus Christ?
Q. Who is Jesus addressing in the great
multitudes?
Q. Do all God’s children (elect that are
effectually called) come to Jesus Christ? (in the context here)
Q. Can a natural man come to Jesus Christ?
1. Discipleship owns Christ above all human
relationships (v26)
a. Various human relationships are named…
- lesser relationships in other spheres are
included.
- Christ is Lord above all; don't like it?
Then, not fit to be His disciple.
b. “… and his own life also”:
- This crucial aspect is not forgotten, SELF
must be hated too. ALSO - in addition to all the rest.
c. “…and hate not…”: no proper/actual hatred
is commanded by Christ; this would be contrary to God’s laws, Christ's own teaching,
and the law of nature.
- What is intended is that these are not to
be preferred to Christ, or loved more than He. (Mt 10:37)
- Christ must come first before all these;
they are to be forsaken and turned from when they stand in the way of the
honour and interest of the Lord.
d. “… cannot be my disciple…”:
- Christ is emphatic and categorical; He does
not accommodate or tolerate any less. Bear that in mind. Why should He accept
any less?
- Christ is Lord and Saviour; He is no
beggar. He has a good name to uphold; tarnish not His name.
- sonship with God is FREE; discipleship with
Christ Jesus is COSTLY; the latter relates to our temporal salvation, sonship
relates to our eternal salvation.
Q. Why does Christ demand such loyalty?
Q. How does the demand show that Christ is no
cheapskate Master?
Q. Does Christ deserve such loyalty from His
disciples? Why? Give some reasons.
Q. Are
all of God's children automatically Christ's disciples also? Why?
2. Discipleship embraces the cross-bearing (v27)
a. “… and his own life also…” is now
elaborated.
- How does a disciple hate his own life?
- By bearing his own cross: suffer and endure
all reproach, persecutions, afflictions, deprivations, and if need be death
itself, cheerfully and patiently.
- Carry his own cross of godly living, Titus
2:12.
- Christ bore His cross for our eternal
salvation; as His disciples, each one of us has our own cross for His name
sakes. Mt 10:22, 19:29, 24:9, Act 9:16.
- Cross bearing for the Lord’s sake, and
suffering for our own stupidity are not the same.
b. “… cannot be my disciple…”
- A disciple is not greater than his lord…
John 13:16, 15:20
- A disciple who will live godly in Christ
shall suffer persecution. 2Tim 3:12.
- The gospel of grace requires cross bearing:
“teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:12.
Q. Is Christ’s demand for a disciple to bear
his own cross reasonable? Why?
Q. Why is Christ so open and honest about the
cost of coming after Him?
Q. What does this speak of the person of
Christ?
Q. Is Christ deliberately turning away
potential disciples?
3. Two illustrations on counting the cost of
discipleship (v28-32)
a. Building a tower: finish what you have
chosen to start!
- A rhetorical question: only a fool does not
count the cost of the project. A wise man will engage a qualified QS to make
sure that he can afford to complete the project. Otherwise, he will suffer
great loss and humiliation.
- Once a disciple of Jesus, always a
disciple, no matter what.
- The same truth also applies to marriage and
parenthood. Finish what you have chosen to start!
- Incomplete and abandoned projects are some
of the saddest sights to behold; they are like lives cut short prematurely.
b. Waging a war: what's the probability of
victory- A rhetorical question: only a fool rushes
to war without weighing the probability of victory.
- A wise king will first consult his
strategists about the likelihood of victory. Otherwise, he will sue for peace
with the enemy.
- Discipleship is fighting a good fight of
faith; it's a fight, a hard fight to victory in Christ.
- The same truth applies to arguments and
theological disputes. When engaged, be prepared to admit defeat when shown to
be in error! Otherwise, hold thy peace.
Q. How do the two illustrations used by
Christ show the wisdom of counting the cost of discipleship?
4. Discipleship relinquishes all to Christ’s
Lordship (v33)
a. “… forsaketh not all that he hath…”: it’s
a zero-sum game; it’s all or nothing.
- Following Christ means willing, when need
be, to lose everything we possess for His sake.
- The Lord does not intend His disciples to
sell or give away all they own and take the oath of self-imposed poverty.
- What He requires is subjecting all that one
have to His Lordship and disposal SUCH THAT these things do not hinder us
following His as a disciple..
- Otherwise, one is not fit to be His
disciple.
Q. What have you consciously forsaken to
follow Christ?
Q. Why does Jesus demand this “all or
nothing” requirement?
Q. Are there things you possess/love that
hinder you from following Christ faithfully? Vocation? Hobbies? Leisure? etc.
