Staying Salty: Images of Being a Christ Follower

We often hear that following Jesus will bring peace, joy, and blessings to our lives. While this is certainly true, Jesus also made it clear that being his disciple comes at a high cost. In a challenging sermon recorded in Luke 14:25-35, Jesus laid out some difficult requirements for those who want to truly follow him. Let's unpack these teachings and consider what they mean for us today.

Family Second, Jesus First
Jesus begins with a shocking statement: "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)

At first glance, this seems to contradict other biblical teachings about loving and honoring family. But Jesus is using hyperbole to make a crucial point - our love and commitment to him must be so great that it makes our natural love for family look weak by comparison. He must have first place in our hearts and lives, above even our closest relationships.

This doesn't mean neglecting family, but it does mean being willing to obey Christ even when it creates tension with loved ones. It means making decisions based on God's will rather than family pressure. It means devoting time to serving Jesus even if it means less family time.

In our family-centric culture, this teaching is especially countercultural. We're told that family should be our top priority. But Jesus calls us to find our primary identity and meaning in him rather than in family roles and relationships.

By using this image, Jesus indicates that following him involves suffering, sacrifice, and even public shame at times. Being his disciple means dying to our own desires and agendas. It means submitting fully to his will and purposes for our lives.

This flies in the face of popular ideas about pursuing personal happiness and self-fulfillment as life's highest goal. Jesus calls us to find life by losing it for his sake. There's no promise of an easy, comfortable life - but there is the promise of sharing in Christ's life and purposes.

Counting the Cost
Jesus goes on to tell two brief parables about counting the cost before embarking on a major endeavor (vv. 28-32). His point is that following him requires careful consideration - it's not a casual decision but a calculated commitment.

Too often, we present the gospel as an easy "fire insurance" policy or a self-help program for a better life. But Jesus wants people to understand upfront that being his disciple will cost them everything. He's looking for wholehearted followers, not half-hearted fans.
Before deciding to follow Christ, we need to soberly consider questions like:

Am I ready to reorient my entire life around Jesus and his kingdom?
Am I willing to stand firm in my faith even if it costs me relationships or opportunities?
Am I prepared to sacrifice personal dreams and ambitions to pursue God's will?
Can I accept that following Jesus may lead to ridicule, rejection, or persecution?

Renouncing Possessions
Jesus concludes with another radical statement: "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (v.33)
Again, this doesn't necessarily mean selling everything and becoming homeless. But it does mean holding our possessions loosely, recognizing that everything ultimately belongs to God. It means being willing to give generously and living simply so we can invest more in God's kingdom.

In our materialistic culture, we often find our identity and security in what we own. But Jesus calls us to find our worth and confidence in him alone. He wants us to be free from slavery to stuff so we can serve him wholeheartedly.

This may mean:

• Downsizing our lifestyle to free up resources for ministry
• Choosing a lower-paying job that allows more time for serving others
• Giving sacrificially to support God's work locally and globally
• Sharing our possessions freely with those in need

Counting the Cost Today
These are challenging words from Jesus. They force us to examine our lives and ask some hard questions:

Is Jesus truly first in my life - above family, career, possessions, and personal ambitions?
Am I willing to suffer loss and face rejection for the sake of following Christ?
Do I approach discipleship casually, or am I wholehearted in my commitment?
What possessions or pursuits am I clinging to that are hindering full devotion to Jesus?
Has my Christian life lost its "saltiness" through compromise with cultural values?

The cost of following Jesus is high. But the reward of knowing him, being part of his kingdom work, and experiencing true life is infinitely greater. As missionary Jim Elliot famously said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Jesus doesn't call us to half-hearted mediocrity, but to a radical, world-changing faith. When we embrace the cost of discipleship, we find that Jesus is worth it all. His grace empowers us to live surrendered lives that truly make a difference.
So let's prayerfully consider what next steps God may be calling us to take in following Jesus more fully. It may mean having a hard conversation with family about priorities. It may mean simplifying our lifestyle and giving more generously. It may mean choosing to speak up about our faith despite potential backlash.

Whatever it looks like in our individual lives, let's commit afresh to putting Jesus first and embrace the high calling of being his disciples. The cost is great, but the reward is greater still.