Luke 14:25-33 (NRSV)
Read Luke 14:25-33 on biblegateway.com
Verse 25Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, Verse 26"Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Verse 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Verse 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Verse 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, Verse 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Verse 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? Verse 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. Verse 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.
Devotion
The foundation that is laid in Jesus’ call to discipleship entails more than commitment. A foundation is not an end in itself; a foundation is for something. A vision of the goal is needed to build a proper foundation. Earlier in Luke’s gospel, Jesus said there is no looking back for those who follow him.
Like foundations, discipleship calls for vision, for looking ahead to the completion of the venture. If it is important for those who engage in enterprises like agriculture and politics to plan with a view to the future, how much more for ones who seek to respond to Jesus’ call to follow him. Such vision calls for keeping my eyes not so much on what I am doing today but on looking ahead to where God may lead me tomorrow. Such vision involves risk; but it also holds the hope of life and joy that resides in God’s faithful promises.
Prayer
Merciful God, you continue to call us to ventures that are beyond our vision. Open our eyes to see where you lead us. Give us the courage, the wisdom and the trust to follow faithfully to the end. Amen.