V 25.
Once when great crowds were accompanying him, he turned to them and said:
NIV.  Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them, he said:

Large crowds of people were following Jesus wherever he went.  He knew that, for most of them, he was a 'nine-day wonder'.  They were looking for excitement.  They had no idea what he was there for.  When we are trying to draw people into our church, we must remember why we want them there - not just to enjoy our company, or to fill the seats or to increase our income.  People will come when there's a novelty.  So, we must make sure that what we offer isn't just gimmicks, but a true presentation of the Gospel.

V 26.
'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even his own life, he cannot be a disciple of mine.
NLT.  'If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, more than your own life.  Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.

This is a wake-up call for all of us who say we love the Lord!  How much do we love him?
The Greek word translated as 'hate' in the NEB and NIV really means to 'love less', so this is not as inflammatory statement at is seems as first.  But, inflammatory enough!

Jesus asks total commitment of us.  If our obedience to him means that we must put our families and our own lives second, that is what must be done.  Jesus doesn't ask us to abandon our families (or not usually!).  He asks that they come lower in our list of priorities than he does.  It is part of learning to trust him that we must hand our loved ones over to him and trust that he will not allow them to be damaged through our commitment to him.

Without total trust there cannot be total commitment.

Another barrier to total commitment can be when we think that our friends and families can't do without us; that we have to be there for them.  Isn't this a kind of self-pride?  Would our spouses and children and whoever we care for just lie down and die if we were not around to help? Or would they continue to live quite happily even if we were not there?  I hope that if I disappeared off the face of the earth today, my family might miss me.  But they would go on living their lives quite effectively; they would continue to have both happy times and sad times - not necessarily connected with me.  They would find ways to fill the jobs I do for them - and, no doubt wouldn't have a great deal of trouble doing so.  They love me and I love them - but I'm not indispensable to them. so, if I put my commitment to Jesus before my commitment to them, they will cope quite nicely.

So, why do we so often think we're indispensable?  Self-pride?  Our dependency on our families (rather than their dependency on us)?  If we are dependent on others to the point of thinking they can't do without us, where is our commitment? How can we be true disciples of Jesus?

He answers those questions in this passage.

V 27.
No one who does not carry his cross and come with me can be a disciple of mine.

New Bible Commentary, p 1004.  Disciples must be prepared to deny themselves completely - whether carry his cross means literally to be ready for martyrdom or metaphorically to 'die' to all personal desires.

Quest Study Bible note, p 1358.  This phrase (take up his cross) probably startled Jesus' listeners, for in that culture "taking up a cross" meant facing the horrible pain and humiliation of Roman crucifixion.  Usually condemned criminals were forced to carry crosses, but Jesus laid down his life voluntarily.  He asks us to do the same - to commit our lives wholeheartedly to him, accepting any hardship this choice may bring.
p 1005 Note: Crucifixion was a sufficiently common event in Judea for people to understand readily what Jesus meant.  He made a similar comment in Luke 9: 23 - "If any one of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me." (NLT)

Jesus doesn't make it easy to be a member of his 'disciples club'!  This is no wishy-washy requirement.  It is a definite pre-requisite.

I note that Jesus is not saying, "I won't allow you to be a disciple."  He says, "You can't be my disciple if you don't carry a cross as I did."  Unless we have that complete dedication and determination and are totally focused on Christ, the role of disciple will be just too impossible for us to maintain.  Unless we are absolutely willing to carry a cross, we won't be able to be a disciple of Christ.

V 28 - 32
Would any of you think of building a tower without first sitting down and counting the cost, to see whether he could afford to finish it? Otherwise, if he has laid its foundation and then is not able to complete it, all the onlookers will laugh at him. "There is the man," they will say, "who started to build and could not finish." Or what king will march to battle against another king without first sitting down to consider whether with ten thousand men he can face an enemy coming to meet him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, long before the enemy approaches, he sends envoys, and asks for terms.

New Bible Commentary p 1004/5.  People should count the cost involved in saying 'No' to self before starting on a course which they may not be able to follow to the end.  How foolish is the builder who leaves a building unfinished because his funds run out before he anticipated.  How foolish, too, is the army commander who does not reckon up on the strength of his army before engaging a stronger foe in battle.

We have to count the cost.  Making a commitment to follow Christ is not something to be done lightly.  When we lead someone to Christ, we should make very sure we teach them what it means to be a disciple.

Sometimes this is not easy.  I have a friend who has never-ending psychological and health problems.  A couple of years ago she made the decision to give her life to Christ. While we were delighted - and assured her that the angels in heaven were having a party over her decision - she really had no idea what it all really meant.  I have spent the intervening time trying to go through what it means to be a disciple and a church member, as she wants to become confirmed.  But she has so many problems that it is difficult for her to grasp the implications or to carry out what she does understand she needs to do.  Now, I'm quite sure she is 'saved' and that her standing with God doesn't depend on her keeping any particular 'rules' in her life.  But becoming a disciple in practical ways is just beyond her. Even so, I believe I must still try to teach and guide her - as well as love and care for her. Praise the Lord that he loves and accepts her anyway.

V 33.
So also none of you can be a disciple of mine without parting with all his possessions.
NLT.  So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.
The Message.  Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it goodbye, you can't be my disciple.

Parting with all our possessions - emotional and material, is difficult for us. Being a disciple is not an easy thing to be. We must be willing to do it. Jesus has promised to be with us in this difficult decision.  He has sent the Holy Spirit to help and guide us.  For us on our own it would be well-nigh impossible.  But we're not on our own.  Praise the Lord!