Sonship and Discipleship (Luke 9: 23-26)

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Welcome to today's episode: "Sonship and Discipleship" (Luke 9:23-26)

Today, we embark on a profound journey into the teachings of the New Testament, exploring the nuanced concepts of "Sonship and Discipleship" as illuminated in Luke Chapter 9, verses 23-26. Join us as we delve into the distinctions between being a child of God and the profound commitment of discipleship.

In this episode, we unravel the intricacies of sonship and discipleship, drawing wisdom from Luke Chapter 9. As we explore the requirements of discipleship outlined by Jesus, we'll discern the profound differences between being a child of God and the dedicated path of discipleship.

Key Points Discussed:

Desire as the Catalyst:
The foundational element of discipleship starts with desire—a deep, intense hunger and thirst for righteousness. A weak desire may impede the discipleship journey, emphasizing the crucial role of a fervent longing to follow Christ.

Denial of Self:
Distinguishing between self-denial and denial of self, highlighting the transformative shift in perspective. Denial of self involves surrendering personal desires and aligning with God's will, a crucial step in the discipleship journey.

Taking Up the Cross:
Clarifying the metaphor of taking up the cross, emphasizing a willingness to accept the will of God. While commonly associated with suffering, an alternative interpretation suggests a surrender to God's plan and a daily choice to walk in obedience.

Follow Me:
Exploring the straightforward yet profound call to "follow me."
Discipleship involves trust, obedience, and a hands-on experience of living and working with the Teacher.

Distinction Between Sonship and Discipleship:
Clarifying that while salvation is a gift received through faith, discipleship involves a more significant personal cost and commitment. Discipleship is an option with eternal consequences, emphasizing the distinction between accepting the gift of salvation and choosing the path of discipleship.

As we conclude this episode, we encourage you to reflect on your own journey of sonship and discipleship. What is the depth of your desire to follow Christ? Are you willing to deny self, take up your cross daily, and faithfully follow Him? Remember, discipleship involves more than just acquiring knowledge—it's a daily, hands-on experience of living and working with the Teacher.

Thank you for joining us on this exploration of "Sonship and Discipleship." May your desire to follow Christ be unwavering, and may your journey of discipleship lead to eternal rewards that surpass the value of the whole world.

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Transcript

Sonship and Discipleship. (Luke 9:23-26)

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

As we dive into the teachings of the New Testament, it's crucial to discern the distinction between sonship and discipleship. In this spiritual journey, a son or daughter refers to a child of God – a term capturing the essence of familial connection. 

On the other hand, a disciple, etymologically rooted in the Greek word for learner, akin to a modern apprentice, signifies a more profound commitment. Let's explore the profound disparities between being a child of God and an apprentice in our faith.

To become a child of God, one must embrace faith in Christ, acknowledging His sacrificial death for our sins and His triumphant resurrection. The pathway to sonship involves a fundamental choice — a conscious decision to believe in Christ.

This distinctive nature of discipleship is elucidated by Jesus in Luke Chapter 9, verses 23 onward. The passage outlines what I believe are those requirements. It begins with a foundational element often overlooked: desire. Let’s return to the text verse by verse.

"Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'”

Luke Chapter 9:23 (NKJV):

Requirement 1: Desire.

The verse places desire at the forefront – a choice, not coerced but willingly made. It's a decision that goes beyond mere compulsion, suggesting a deep and intense hunger. The hunger here is not just for food but akin to a starving person yearning for sustenance. Likewise, our spiritual desire should mirror an intense hunger and thirst for righteousness, akin to the parched yearning for a refreshing drink on a scorching summer day.

The depth of our desire is pivotal. It is the catalyst that propels us toward our second requirement which is come after me. 

A weak desire may impede our journey, while an intense, unwavering hunger and thirst set the stage for meaningful spiritual advancement. May our desire to follow Christ be the driving force in our discipleship journey.

Requirement 2: Deny Himself

This second requirement is often misunderstood, and it revolves around the distinction between self-denial and denial of self. The former suggests abstaining from specific pleasures or activities, a notion popularized by practices like giving up certain indulgences for Lent. 

However, JI don’t think Jesus isn't advocating self-denial, except in that it is a n off shoot sometimes of meeting this requirement correctly, which is in fact what He calls for the denial of self – in other words a a profound shift in perspective.

Denial of self, as I see it is more about the renunciation of self-will, self-seeking, self-assertion, even self-pity, and self-exaltation. 

In essence, it entails choosing God's will over our own personal desires, denying oneself as the final authority in one's life. This transformative denial involves surrendering self-will to align with the divine purpose, a crucial step on the discipleship journey.

Requirement 3: Take Up His Cross

Moving on to the third requirement, the metaphor of taking up one's cross is also frequently misunderstood. Contrary to common belief, it does not imply a call to endure physical suffering (All though it may) or even physical death or unbearable burdens. 

Instead, it suggests a willingness to accept the will of God. Jesus doesn't say, "get on your cross," but rather, "take up your cross." This nuanced language points to a journey toward the crucifixion, acknowledging that we are in the process, not yet at the destination.

The conventional interpretation equates taking up the cross with enduring suffering, pain, persecution, shame, or humiliation – a plausible understanding given the historical context. However, an alternative interpretation that I believe, albeit a minority view, proposes that taking up the cross is primarily synonymous with accepting the will of God alongside any of these possible other aspects. 

This interpretation reframes the narrative, suggesting that taking up the cross is an act of surrender, aligning one's will with God's divine purpose. It encourages us to embrace the challenges and joys that come with following Christ. While the majority may associate it with suffering, it's worth contemplating whether it could also signify a willingness to simply walk in obedience, embracing God's plan for our lives.

In the upcoming section, we will explore the profound implications of these teachings on discipleship.

To revisit the context of the passage we discussed previously, let's go back to the moment when Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" After receiving various responses, Jesus turns and asks Peter in verse 20. Peter declared, "You are the Christ of God." 

However, remember Jesus cautioned them not to disclose this revelation. Instead, He shared a profound truth: "The Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and raised on the third day." 

This revelation unveils the essence of the cross in which lies Jesus' identity and God's will for Him.

Jesus, in essence, communicated, "This is who I am, and this is God's plan for me. Hold off on spreading the news about my Messiahship, as it's not time yet. 

Instead understand, the next step in God's agenda for me involves suffering, death, and resurrection." With this backdrop, Jesus then addresses His disciples again now saying, "If you want to follow me, take up your cross."

A compelling suggestion I've come across is that taking up the cross symbolizes embracing the will of God. By doing so, you align your will with God's, fulfilling his will, just as how Christ himself has disclosed he will do the same.

Denying your own will and accepting His. This concept harmoniously fits with the daily aspect, as daily choices. Persecution or suffering may not be constant, but adhering to God's will can be a consistent, daily choice.

Moving to the fourth requirement – "follow me" – it seems straightforward. 

Following someone implies trust and obedience. Disciples are called to renounce their chosen paths to step into the footsteps of their leader, trusting and obeying. 

An analogy that captures this is the childhood game "Follow the Leader." In this game, trust is paramount – if the leader jumps off a bridge, will you? When Jesus says, "follow me," He invites us to trust and obey, echoing the timeless call of: "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be a disciple," 

You see a disciple is not merely a student acquiring knowledge, but someone engaged in a daily, hands-on experience of living and working with the Teacher.

Christians sometimes content themselves with acquiring knowledge but fall short when it comes to putting that knowledge into practice.

 Having clarified the requirements for discipleship, let's summarize them: desire, denial of self, daily and diligent execution of God's will, and unwavering trust and obedience to the Lord. 

This explanation aligns seamlessly with the broader teachings of the New Testament, emphasizing the centrality of discerning and following God's will.

Now, the critical question now become: Is discipleship optional? Can one attain salvation without embracing a full life of discipleship? Well, I believe so. We shouldn’t, it is not recommended, but it is possible.

Being a ‘Child of God’ and receiving the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, is distinct from discipleship, which involves a more significant personal cost beyond the point we receive our salvation. 

Discipleship is an option in the sense it involves a level of sacrifices and commitment beyond the initial gift of salvation. However, we only have to look around us to see that the level of commitment differs from person to person.

Now, some teach that discipleship is a prerequisite for salvation, a notion I personally don’t accept. The distinction between sonship and discipleship remains paramount. Accepting the gift of eternal life is one thing; choosing to walk the path of discipleship thereafter is another.

Consider the following scenario: if you opt to save your life by pursuing your own desires and will, you may end up losing you life it in terms of its eternal significance. It doesn't imply a loss of salvation but rather a missed opportunity to develop and enhance the gift God bestowed, evening having a life of meaning and purpose.

On the contrary, losing your life for Christ's sake, surrendering personal aspirations for God's will, ultimately results in saving it from an eternal perspective.

The passage highlights the profound question: What profit is there if one gains the entire world but loses their own soul? A famous verse, ut better translated these days, as lose you very sense.

 he emphasis here is not in fact on losing salvation but on forfeiting the eternal rewards and commendation from God for a life lived in accordance with His will.

In the subsequent verse, the discussion shifts towards the concept of reward, underscoring the eternal perspective of discipleship and the potential loss or gain associated with life choices.

“For whoever is ashamed of me and my words of him the son of man will be ashamed when he comes into his own glory and in his father's and of the holy angels.”

Here, Jesus presents a choice, an option for each individual. It's a decision-making process that's not forced but voluntary. He speaks of a future event where everyone will stand before the Father. 

It's crucial to clarify that this scenario unfolds at the judgment seat of Christ, this is distinct from the great white throne judgment that awaits the unsaved. This judgment doesn't determine whether you enter heaven; rather, it addresses the believer's rewards and losses in this life and when you get there..

When Jesus mentions being ashamed or embarrassed before the Father, it's essential to understand this in the context of the judgment seat of Christ. 

Turn to 1 John chapter 2, verse 28, 

Dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

This again underscores the idea of not being ashamed before Him at His coming. 

Even though believers are referred to as Dear children of God, there's the possibility of experiencing embarrassment when standing before the Father. This embarrassment pertains to the evaluation of one's life, choices, and how well they aligned with God's will.

So, Jesus is ultimately emphasizing the issue of reward. If one gains the whole world but squanders their life pursuing personal desires, what profit is there in that? In the New Testament, the term "profit" is associated with reward, not salvation. Salvation is a gift, but reward implies something earned or deserved.

To illustrate this concept, consider a scenario: envision a new mother cradling her newborn in the hospital. In a hypothetical situation, someone offers her vast territories – the town in which they live, then then the entire state followed by the entire country, and even the entire world. Despite the escalating offers, any loving mother would unequivocally reject these propositions. The point being that the life of her child is priceless, far surpassing the value of any material possession, even the whole world. 

It's a poignant illustration to emphasize the immeasurable value of a life lived in accordance with God's will over worldly gains, and the price he was willing to pay for us.

This realization is indeed sobering; many individuals who have trusted in Jesus Christ may find themselves embarrassed at the judgment seat of Christ, where the worth of their life's pursuits is evaluated. 

Much of what they invested in may not stand the test, going up in smoke at this solemn reckoning.

In summary, those who choose to become disciples of Jesus Christ, marked by a genuine desire to follow Him, deny themselves, diligently execute God's will daily, and faithfully follow Him, will not only save their lives but be rewarded in eternity. 

A reward that surpasses the value of the whole world. Reflecting on this, it's crucial to distinguish between sonship and discipleship. While sonship, (adoption as a child of God) is received through faith in Jesus, discipleship involves willingly taking up one's cross in obedience to Christ.

Moreover, the journey begins with desire. So the question after salvation is; What do you want, and how badly do you want it? And what price are you willing to pay to achieve it? 

This principle in fact applies to all aspects of life, and certainly, in the context of discipleship, the same principles hold true. 

But for Christian believer it is a choice with eternal consequences, and the rewards of discipleship are deemed more valuable than the entire world.

I'll conclude with a parable that dropped into my mind during a reflective moment this week. A unique idea came to me, I wish it would happen more often.

Suppose your father was a wealthy man with a passion for sailing. His ultimate goal was to design a boat and assemble a crew that could win the prestigious America’s Cup. Having failed to achieve it in his own life, he set his sights on a new objective – he wanted you follow in his footsteps.

So, he generously bestowed upon you a boat of his own design, with a working manual with all the potential to win the coveted prize. 

He offered to train you, but with one condition – they had to make this endeavour a top priority.

You have a choice to make you could take the boat and ignore what it says in the training manual. Instead you could transform his sailboat into a party boat. Your focus could be on pleasure, and the purpose of the boat will be lost in festivities. 

The second things is you could start out with good intention to try and fulfil your father’s wishes but found you lacked the necessary discipline. 

Despite hearing your father's advice on how to win the race and giving yo what you need to win it you struggle to follow through with the father's instructions due to a lack of a deep, committed desire.

The third option is to curate a profound desire to win the Prize. Diligently, you could followed every instruction given by you father in the manual. Guess which strategy will mean you will emerge victorious in the end?