Sermon -- 13th Sunday after Pentecost (September 7, 2025)

LUKE 14:25-35

RECOGNIZE THE COST OF BEING JESUS’ DISCIPLE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     The popularity of Jesus was amazing.  It is not hard to understand why.  Jesus healed many with incurable disabilities.  Jesus had multiplied bread and fish to feed multitudes.  Who could blame people for wanting to be near him?  Even King Herod longed to meet Jesus because he had heard about the miracles.  When he finally did meet Jesus and Jesus would not perform for him, Herod’s fascination turned into mockery.  The crowds also turned from Jesus when they discovered he was not there for their entertainment and to hand out endless freebies.

     Jesus told the crowds that there was a cost to being his disciple.  Jesus was no huckster, conning people in order to get something out of them.  Jesus had come to deliver people from their sins.  That, of course, meant that people needed to recognize that their sins were a problem.  It is not always a love of wickedness that is a problem; it is often a love of blessings.  All our blessings are gifts from God, but they are not to be praised higher than the God who gives them.  The First Commandment is the greatest commandment: “You shall have no other gods.  What does this mean?  We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things” (Luther’s Small Catechism: First Commandment).  All things.  Even precious blessings.

     Recognize the cost of being Jesus’ disciple.  Jesus revealed that cost in shocking terms.  “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).  This is hyperbole.  (St. Luke likes to do that.)  Jesus does not forbid you to love your family.  The 4^th Commandment tells us to honor father and mother.  That is God’s word, and it is good.  But the 4^th Commandment is never higher than the 1^st Commandment.  So, Jesus intentionally used shocking language to show that being his disciple demands a total commitment.  If you would ever have to choose between Jesus and your family and friends, you would forsake your family and friends before you forsook Jesus.  Recognize the cost for being Jesus’ disciple.

     Our Lord does not expect parents to withhold love from their children.  Even if your child goes to jail, you will still love your child.  You may be disappointed in him, but you will still love him.  However, parents who love their children will also love them enough to tell them when they are wrong.  Discipline is not cruelty; it is done out of love for the good of the child.  So, if your son or daughter is engaged in sinful living, love for your child will compel you to admonish him.  Love for Jesus will compel you to uphold the truth of his word.  Love will tell that child, “This is what the Lord says,” and then hold firm to that truth.  You may be tempted to keep silent because you fear that you will lose your children and grandchildren.  And you may.  But if your child persists in his sins, you will lose him for eternity.  It is important to recognize that cost, too. 

     Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).  Jesus comes first.  That is the first and greatest commandment.  It is non-negotiable.  It does not forbid you to love your loved ones, but it commands you to keep things in order.  Recognize the cost of being Jesus’ disciple.

     While Jesus is blunt in telling us that there is a cost to being his disciple, recognize that there was a tremendous cost for Jesus to be your Savior.  God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.  He not only gave him to the world, he gave him to suffer and die for the world. 

     Recognize this cost!  It would be one thing if all mankind had been perfectly devoted to the Lord but were taken hostage by the devil.  Then God would be acting to deliver innocent victims.  But this is what the Lord says: “At the appointed time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for the ungodly.  It is rare indeed that someone will die for a righteous person.  Perhaps someone might actually go so far as to die for a person who has been good to him.  But God shows his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).  God the Father gave up his Son for people who naturally and willingly live in rebellion to his word.  Nevertheless, the Father did not withhold his love.  He sent Jesus to rescue rebels and to die for the guilty.

     Recognize the cost our Lord paid to redeem sinners.  He did not even hedge his bets, sending his Son to be slain for a select few who would eventually prove themselves worthy.  For, no one is worthy.  No one is an innocent hostage.  All are sinners, but God loves all.  He cares for everyone, no matter what their story is.  God loves the world; so, he sent his only begotten Son to be the ransom price for the world.

     Jesus recognized the cost, too.  Jesus did not bask in his popularity.  His ego certainly could have blown up because of the multitudes around him.  But Jesus never forgot his mission.  He was not sent to be popular, but to be the sin offering for the world.  Just days before he was crucified, Jesus told his apostles, “Now my soul is troubled.  And what shall I say?  ‘Father, save me from this hour’?  No, this is the reason I came to this hour” (John 12:27).  Jesus recognized the cost.  He would be consumed in the fiery wrath of his Father for sins he did not commit.  Jesus would suffer damnation even for sinners who would never repent.  But this is the love of God—covering the cost for every sinner so that no one should have to perish.  Jesus recognized the cost, and he willing paid the price for you.  While your salvation was free, it was not cheap.

     Now to you, Jesus gives salvation and forgiveness without any cost.  Your baptism was free.  You have God’s word preached to you for free.  (You do not pay your pastor to preach.  Preaching is free.  Your pastor is paid so he can give his full time to the word of God and prayer.)  The Lord’s Supper is delivered to you for free.  Your sins are absolved for free.  It is like the jailer in Philippi who was about to kill himself because he thought Paul and Silas had escaped.  When Paul stopped him from killing himself, he fell at the feet of Paul and Silas and begged, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved” (Acts 16:30)?  He was convinced that there must be some grand sacrifice to make, some great deed to do, some condition to be met.  Paul gave him none of that.  Paul told him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).  Though it cost Jesus immensely to save you, he gives his salvation for free.

     Still, you ought to recognize that there is a cost to being Jesus’ disciple.  Jesus alerted the crowds that being his disciple would not be easy.  There would be a cost, and people should consider carefully if they would be willing to endure it.  He told a parable about a man who wanted to build a tower, laid the foundation, but failed to complete it.  He had not really considered the cost.  He told another parable about a king who was preparing to go to war.  Before he mobilized his army, he calculated “if he (was) able with ten thousand to oppose the one who (was coming) against him with twenty thousand” (Luke 14:31).  Just as we are to consider the cost in earthly endeavors, so also we should recognize there is a cost to being Jesus’ disciple.

     The cost of being Jesus’ disciple was summed up in Jesus’ first proclamation recorded by St. Mark: “The kingdom of God has come near!  Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15)!  It is that word “repent” that stands out.  Being a disciple of Jesus is much more than a mental exercise where we know some facts.  It is more than a sigh of relief where we say, “Thank God there will be no punishment for my sins!”  Being Jesus’ disciple means actions as well as faith.  It is a heart, a mind, and a body devoted to Jesus.  It is a life of following his word above everything else.

     Recognize the cost of being Jesus’ disciple.  It means daily contrition and repentance.  Daily, we do battle against our sins.  Daily, we fight to overcome temptation.  Jesus said, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).  As long as we are in this flesh, we must daily put to death the sinful nature and all its desires.  That’s what the cross is for—to put our sin to death.  Just because your desires are intense does not mean they are good.  Just because something brings you pleasure does not mean it pleases God.  Jesus’ disciples follow his words—more than feelings, more than family, and more than friends. 

     On some days, your struggle will be fierce.  But it is a struggle that needs to continue.  If you do struggle, that is good.  It shows you know the way of righteousness and strive to stay on it.  If you give up the struggle, it means that you are letting sin sweep you away, and you will be lost to the kingdom of God.  The devil will convince you that this way is easier.  Your friends may like you more.  Your family may commend you for choosing them over church.  But recognize that your desire to belong and to be praised comes with a cost, too.  Jesus said it: You “cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).

     The Lord does not leave you hopeless or helpless in your struggles.  He continues to forgive your sins.  He continues to strengthen you in the battle against your flesh.  He continues to show you that the struggle is worth it.  He continues to remind you that there is an eternal victory for all who struggle, battle, and endure; and he is with you so that you will endure.  If you would remain Jesus’ disciple, then continue to hear his word, to confess your sins, to come to the altar for his body and blood, and to pray.

     Recognize the cost of being Jesus’ disciple.  Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).  Does that sound steep?  Then recognize this: When you die, you lose all these things anyway.  When you stand before the Lord in judgment, none of these things will be with you to help you, much less save you.  Your loved ones will sing your praises at your funeral, but Jesus’ judgment is the only one that will matter.  Good news: Jesus lived and died for you.  He has paid the ransom.  He will commend you at your judgment.  In the end, he is all you need.  In the end, he is all you will have.  You can enjoy your blessings and your loved ones, but do not fear losing them.  Forsake them if you must; for there is only one who saves.  If your loved ones are Jesus’ disciples, praise God, because then you will get them all back.  And together, you will rejoice with angels and archangels and all Jesus’ disciples forevermore.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.