Is It Worth It?
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Scripture Luke 14:25-33
Now large crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and said to them, “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. Read more…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
My summer has not been restful. After my dad died in mid-July, my sisters and brother and I were faced with sorting through a lifetime of his and our mom’s possessions. Neither of them threw things away easily. They’d lived in the same house for almost 40 years, so I’m sure you can imagine some of what we faced.
All told, we’ve spent about 5 weeks between us, sorting to donate, sell, toss, or keep the things we found. We aren’t done, but everything else can wait for a bit. [If you or someone you know is looking for any furniture items, let me know and I may be able to help!]
Many of the things we found stirred up memories we aren’t ready to let go of just yet. We all have differing levels of sentimentality to our personalities as well as differing home sizes. I found it convenient that my sister’s house is much bigger than my apartment. A few times we came across something I didn’t want to see us lose, none of my siblings particularly wanted, but that I have no room to house. She graciously added these items to the boxes she was already taking home.
One of the things I brought home was an old quilt. It’s not a super nice quilt. I’m not even sure “quilt” is the right term. It’s raggedy, there are parts missing, the outer edge is mostly split open. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get it sufficiently clean to keep. But I wanted to try because something about that quilt/blanket feels like my mom and dad. I can’t explain it better than that. But now I have a raggedy, clean (thankfully) quilt/blanket that doesn’t match anything else in my apartment, but that I’ll use probably until I die.
I’m telling you all this because on Sunday we’re going to read some of Jesus’ more difficult words. They’re in Luke 14:25 – 33. In particular, the last verse is hard to hear: “So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”
I don’t think Jesus was telling us to literally give up all our possessions. He wasn’t a fan of poverty, after all. Just look at how much of the Bible is dedicated to our responsibility to care for and alleviate the suffering of the poor. But I do think he was telling us that there’s a significant cost to being his disciple – to following him. And I think he was challenging us to consider for ourselves if being his disciple is worth the cost.
As you prepare for Sunday, perhaps spend some time considering what you won’t give up for Jesus. What of your possessions are you unwilling to part with? Who among the people in your life are unwilling to lose?
In Genesis 22 we read the story of Abraham, and God’s instruction to him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Isaac was Abraham’s most precious person – more precious than anything he owned or any other person in his life. And yet, he placed Isaac on an altar as an offering to God. If you stood before a similar altar, what or who is your Isaac? Could you do like Abraham did?