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Luke 14:25-27 (The Message)

One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them,

"Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple.

Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.

This is one passage of scripture that leaves us wanting to join the disciples in saying, "this teaching is too difficult." And yet, here it is.

Imagine the scene.

Jesus has been teaching. He's been urging people to consider the radical nature of his mission and ministry. He has been healing and changing lives.

Like a magnet being dragged through iron filings, the people are clinging to him in ever-increasing numbers.

He's being followed...by a huge crowd of hangers-on.

In my mind's eye, I imagine him stopping dead in his tracks, spinning on his heals, and with a fire in his eye and mischievous grin on his face...calling them to account.

"Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow me can't be my disciple."

I imagine that may have thinned the ranks.

I recall with fondness the most fun and probably certifiably crazy professor that I ever had in college. His classes were intense. They were not for those who were looking for an easy "A."

On the first day of "History of the English language," he looked violently around the room, and spewing spittle across the front row, wildly proclaimed, "if you're not an English major, this probably isn't the class for you. If you are not willing to work harder than you have in any other class, this isn't for you. If you have any illusions about what this class will be...you'd be much, much, better off to get up and leave right now."

The ranks thinned.

And this may be the best comparison I have in my experience as to what Jesus was trying to say.

"History of the English Language" was not a good elective choice for those seeking easy credits.

It was for folks who had to have the class...and who were serious about language. And he was right, it wasn't easy...and I almost certainly wasn't serious enough.

What about following Jesus?

Maybe it's only fair...he's trying to practice full disclosure.

Jesus following is the way of faith, and the way of grace. Grace is free...but it isn't cheap. "We were bought at a price," scripture tells us, and that price is the cross.

The good news is that for those who decide to follow, there is life at the end of the path. God's help will surround us. Even though the way is narrow, at least it's not deceptive.

There's no easy way around what is coming in this Gospel. But what we will move through leads to the greatest gift we could ever receive. Free, but not cheap.

Prayer: We hear these words of Christ in their seriousness, and we long for hearts that will receive this clear reminder. The path will be full of challenge. There is a cross to shoulder. And it is also the way of learning, of grace, of peace and real joy. May we follow through all things, and see the promised resurrection to new life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.