No one ever said being a disciple of Jesus was easy. And no one ever said preaching about being a disciple was easy. Today, we are reminded just how "not easy" they are. In other words, today, we hear about how difficult it is to truly be a disciple of Jesus, taking up our cross and following him.

     On the one hand, we, as disciples, grab onto the Reformation doctrine that we are saved by grace, through faith--that we are all sinful and unclean, unable to save ourselves, able to be saved, only through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We grab onto this, and we cling to it for all we're worth. As well we should. And for most of us, this sets us free. For most of us, being a Christian is about being free in the Gospel, living our lives making free choices as best we can, trusting that because we are saved by grace through faith, our mistakes, errors in judgement, and failings won't be held against us, ultimately, or eternally. In fact, many Christians, and many Christian denominations hold so tightly onto this doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, that they become universalists--believing that probably, everyone will be saved, and nothing will be held against any of us--because we are all sinful, and in need of complete grace. And that translates, then, to a belief that we ought not condemn anyone, or any behavior--we ought to live and let live--because we will all be saved by grace, anyway. Which, then, of course, opens the door to all kinds of behavior, activities, and attitudes--none of which may be ruled out-of-bounds, because--if it is all grace--then grace doesn't just cover a multitude of sins, it covers ALL sin, regardless. Which is pretty much the situation we find ourselves in, in this big tent called American Protestantism. Grace means do whatever you want, so long as you don't hurt anyone or judge anyone. That's on the one hand.

     On the other, we have Jesus' own words in our Gospel lesson for today, from Luke 14. And these words of Jesus couldn't sound less grace-ful, less loving, less accepting! Here are most liberal American Protestants, talking about loving everyone regardless, talking about being saved by grace through faith without works, talking about being saved, not by what you do, but simply by believing in Jesus. And then there is Jesus, himself, talking quite plainly about works, about deeds, about walking, not a wide, easy path to salvation--but taking the narrow way--the way of the cross, and obedience, and counting the cost, and renouncing worldly ways and possessions. There is Jesus, himself, saying that to be his disciple, one is to be prepared to leave behind, father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself--if they are keeping you from taking up your cross and following him. And it's just these words of Jesus, that some days, make me wish I was a Unitarian--Universalist minister, or a Lutheran pastor who believed that the Law is now passe', because it's all about grace and love and acceptance. Some days, it would certainly be easier to ignore these words of Jesus altogether--and preach only "love, love love, that's what it's all about". Because, on one hand, it is all about love--Jesus tells us that when he gives us the new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. On the other hand, Jesus is telling us that love--is not always easy, or gentle, or sentimental or accepting. Sometimes, Jesus is telling us--love is tough. Sometimes it is tough to love, and sometimes, love has to be, tough. And that's the hard part. We don't like the tough--love, part of discipleship. Which is just what Jesus was talking about, as he sat there talking with the large crowds that day. Which is just what Jesus is talking about, with us--as he is here, saying the very same thing to us, today.

     In theological terms, we say that God's love is not just Gospel--not just grace--but God's love manifests itself as both Law and Gospel. You might say God, because He loves us, says both "yes", and "no" to us. Is any parent truly loving, when they only say yes to their children? Are parents manifesting the fullness of love, when they only approve of everything their child is doing--never guiding and shaping behavior, by saying honestly, "No, that's not acceptable behavior." The same is true of God, our Father, who--in His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks the yes of life and eternal life to us who are his children, but who still says no to our disobedient, self-centered, destructive thoughts, words and actions. In our first lesson, the Lord says to Israel that he gives them a choice--and he urges them to "choose life"--to say yes to life. But that also means saying no, to death. That means saying no to disobedience, no to sin, no to behavior that God has ruled out of bounds. For us to say "yes", to that which God has said "no" to, would not be to choose life, but to choose death. To choose life, is to choose, that which God has taught, in Scripture, is godly, and righteous. To choose life, is to deny that which God has declared ungodly and unrighteous. Which means, choosing the life God offers, may mean, denying our parents, our families, when they are keeping us from God. Which means choosing the life God offers, may mean sacrificing home, inheritance, possessions, career, if these are keeping us from God. And because that's what choosing the godly life may entail, Jesus cautions us, and all who would be his followers, to count the cost, before we choose this life. He warns us to consider the fact that taking up our cross and following, may put us at odds with father and mother, spouse and children, yes, even earthly life as we know it. And being Jesus' disciple; being willing to choose life; being willing to sacrifice all these things, for the sake of the gospel--is a lot to ask. And Jesus knows it. He knows it, because he did it all--for us. To show us, that choosing God's will, choosing life, sacrificing all for the sake of the Kingdom, doesn't lead to less, it leads to more. It doesn't lead to death, it brings life--just as his death on the cross, became resurrection to eternal life. That's what Jesus wants us to see, and to consider--to count, if you will, before we come, follow. ..that while discipleship is free, as Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "it's not cheap". And then, having counted the cost, Jesus calls for a decision.

     Many pastors and teachers would have you believe that no decision is necessary--because God has made His decision, for you. And that is true. But just as the Lord God called the Israelites to "choose life--to choose this day whom you will serve", our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Scriptures, calls us daily, to once again count the cost, take stock of the demands of discipleship, and decide; decide now, decide anew--"whom will you serve?" Will you take up the cross, and seek to live by the commandments of the Lord your God--walking in his ways, observing his commandments, decrees and ordinances--choosing life and blessing; or will you choose to turn your heart away and not hear, being led astray to bow down to other gods, to serve them? Anything that keeps us from serving God, whether home, or family, or job, or money, or possessions--brings death and adversity, and ultimately, destruction. To choose life, is to choose God, and His commandments, ordinances and decrees--to choose life, is to choose God and His love, even when it is tough. Jesus warns, "count the cost" before you choose. The Lord urges us, encourages us, still: "choose life".

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