Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, let the Word of the cross and the way of the cross be dear to our hearts. Amen.
Text: Luke 14:25–33
And great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it – lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
Devotion
We should not consult flesh and blood when we are called by the Lord to be His disciples, nor should we let other people, parents, relatives and friends make decisions for us, but we should consult with God through simple prayer and serious consideration of His Word. Then we choose the good part. – In our text we hear that the Lord Jesus does not deceive anyone who wants to be His disciple with promises of earthly comfort. He wants all from the beginning to know the cross and tribulation of being His disciple. The preacher who entices with the glory of God’s kingdom, but makes no mention of self-denial and tribulation, is not a true servant of the Gospel. For people are earthly-minded and understand everything in a fleshly way, if the blessedness of the kingdom is not presented in light of the cross. They are spiritual and eternal good things our Lord Jesus gives us. But for us to receive them, our mind must be turned away from the world, and before we can enjoy them, our self-will and fleshly desire must die. Here everything must be renounced. Here the cross must be carried. Christ must be followed, yes, life itself must be surrendered, – and this we ought to see, from the first, so that we do not begin Christian life with foolish dreams about a bed of roses, and be frightened back when we come across thorns.
Many wish to inherit glory with Jesus, but few want to follow Him on the way of the cross. If you really want to be His disciple, then you must be prepared to suffer and to deny yourself continually here on earth. Only in heaven shall you receive the glorious inheritance. But remember that under the cross you walk with Jesus, that only there are you in His company, and only in this way do you become like Him. Walk then in the Lord’s strength! If we hear the Word about self-denial, cross, and death, then we shall also hear the Word about grace and strength from the Lord. And if we hear the Word about the cross of Christ correctly, then we also hear the Word about the Lord’s power in the same way. – It is not those who really hear the Word of the cross, it is not Christ’s cross-bearers, but it is the lazy person who says: “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” (Pro 22:13).
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, draw us to You. Grant us to be at peace with suffering in our flesh, yes, give us grace to rejoice in our tribulations, to rejoice in them, and to praise You for them. Let us not be frightened away by the law of self-denial, but give us strength from Your love, which is stronger than death. Amen.
Hymn
He alone can safely guide thee
On the way to yonder shore,
Thou art safe with Him beside thee,
Having help for thee in store,
But without Him thou shalt fail,
All thy wisdom, like a tale,
In the final test shall perish;
Jesus only thou must cherish.
Come, ye Christians, brave the weather,
Courage take from God above,
Like a phalanx stand together,
Being one in faith and love.
Keep ye Jesus ever near
And His holy name revere.
Help and strengthen one another
Ev’ry selfish thought to smother.
It is time we should be starting,
Death is swiftly drawing nigh;
Time, that we should be departing
For a place with Christ on high.
Take His cross and start today
All who dare not risk delay;
Come while yet the change is given,
Who will join the throng to heaven?
Brorson: Hvo vil med til Himmerige? L 461:4-5 HCH 174:3-5 tr. P. C. Paulsen;
tune: Hvo vil med (HCH 174) or Freu dich sehr (ELH 593); alternate hymn: Jesus, I my cross have taken ELH 424:1