In today’s gospel we are given a hard message about the seriousness of the choices we must make if we are to follow Jesus: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Let us set the stage for what leads to Jesus saying this to his disciples here in Luke 14:26

In Luke 14:7, Jesus begins: “He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.” He describes the scene in which people strive for places of honor and then instructs the listeners on the meaning of true humility, adding that they will receive their reward “at the resurrection of the righteous.” (v. 14b)

The mention of the resurrection prompts one of those at table to repeat a favorite maxim or beatitude:  “Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God.” This would not ordinarily evoke a response, but Jesus discerns a complacent attitude among the Pharisees and the lawyers toward their share in salvation. They feel protected by observing religious rules, even allowing observances to shut out new possibilities of good (vv. 1–6). He tells a parable about those who take a banquet invitation too lightly and because of their casual attitude lose their own right to a share at the table and are replaced by others. The original meaning concerned observant Jews complacent in their religion who might be surpassed by those they considered outcasts; the early church made the obvious comparison with Israel’s rejection and the Gentiles’ acceptance of the gospel.

The host in this story has typically invited his friends and relatives first, before turning to the poor and handicapped. It was customary in the social circles of the time to send a personal summons at the time of the dinner, even though an invitation had been sent earlier. By the time the summons comes, these invitees have had a change of plans. Perhaps the excuses were legitimate. A man could be released from military service to care for a new house or vineyard, or if recently betrothed or married (Deut 20:5–7; 24:5). But the guests have been too inconsiderate or careless to inform the host of their change of plans. They have not taken his hospitality seriously, and this makes him furious.

An invitation to the salvation banquet is not something to be taken lightly. Jesus implies that some at table with him do not appreciate the urgency of the situation. The host sent his servant out “quickly” to fill up the places. God’s desire to fill his house is urgent; he wants as many as possible to partake of the messianic banquet. The final statement (v. 24) is directed to the gathering in the Pharisee’s house: “For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.” The invitation is not to be taken lightly. This brings us to our gospel reading.

The story of the carelessness of those invited to the banquet is linked to other sayings spelling out the seriousness of discipleship. The call to follow Christ cannot be taken up half-heartedly; such an attitude is a tragic miscalculation. These verses reestablish the tone set at the beginning of the journey toward Jerusalem (cf. Luke 9:57 and following)

Jesus returns to the theme of family division that might come because of the gospel:

51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three;53 a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:51–53)

Jesus says his disciples must hate father and mother and family. This is a Semitic exaggeration to stress that anyone who stands in the way of thorough commitment to Jesus, even one’s closest relations, must be renounced. “Hate” in this sense means “prefer less.” This is the radical message of the cross: “Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (9:23)

Discipleship is thus an all-consuming vocation. It must be accepted with mature deliberation. Jesus uses two examples: a wise builder would not begin a project without assessing his ability to complete it; only a madman would go into a battle without considering the odds.

Our daily readings will skip over the next two verses in Luke’s gospel: “Salt is good, but if salt itself loses its taste, with what can its flavor be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” (vv.33-35) It serves well as a capstone for the message about the seriousness of the choices we are called to make in our walk of discipleship. If a follower of Jesus begins to hold anything back, discipleship becomes fodder for the dung heap.

Image credit: Permission to use in not-for-profit settings. (c) 2019 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD