Luke 14:25-35 records a pretty strong teaching about what it means to be a disciple. A few 'doesn't's' (how many apostrophes do I need there?) But as I was reading through Matthew Henry's commentary, a beautiful image of Christ's love overflowed in the imagery.
Henry mentions the example of going to war but preparing for war by estimating if we can win. Our 10k vs their 20k. And that being a disciple implies a life of peril, or pain, or sacrifice - as there is in actual war.
But then he makes the poignant point - if we choose non-discipleship, insisting in our sin, we are waging war against God. A God that no matter how well prepared you are, well trained, well resourced - his power outmatches you infinitely.
But... check this beautiful nugget out. If that were the case, and maybe you've realized that, following Jesus's illustration here - we should go and seek peace right away! You're stronger, you're greater, you're mightier - please let us surrender!
But God.
God initiates peace with us! He sends the delegation - doesn't wait for us to. And not only does he broker the peace, but he brokers a peace that is both immeasurably costly to Him and exceedingly wonderful for those who receive it!
It cost Him the life of his son - death on a shameful torture device, separation from the Father, all of our sin cast on Him. Agony. Pain. Abandonment. Evil.
And it offers us full and free pardon for all of our sin - past, present and future - and with that pardon, right relationship with God, and eternal life (beginning now) with our creator and Lord, alongside all of our other blood-bought brothers and sisters!
Love it!
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