Discipleship at the Expense of Everything Else Reflections on Luke 14:25–33 By Fr Martin [Associate Priest] A Personal Introduction Today is my wedding anniversary—a day filled with love and gratitude. So, you can imagine my surprise when I opened our Gospel reading and found Jesus saying: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children…” Just a couple of weeks ago, I was preaching on Jesus wanting to set fire to the world. And now this? Hate my family? What is going on? Facing the Hard Words of Jesus Let’s be honest—this is a difficult passage. It’s tempting to skip over it and focus on the “nicer” parts of Scripture. But as Christians, we believe the Bible is God’s authoritative word, meant to shape us—even when it challenges us. So what is Jesus really saying here? What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple? The word hate in verse 26 is shocking. Isn’t Jesus the Prince of Peace? The one who tells us to love our enemies? Yes—and Scripture also commands us to love our spouses, children, and parents. But in the Jewish context, “hate” often meant “to love less.” Jesus is using strong language to make a point: He must come first. This isn’t about literal hatred. It’s about radical prioritisation. Jesus is saying: “If you want to follow me, I must have all of you.” Discipleship means shaping our lives—our decisions, relationships, finances—around Jesus. It’s not just about conversion; it’s about walking together in faith. Journeying Together In verse 25, we read: “Large crowds were travelling with Jesus.” They weren’t just listening—they were journeying. And that’s key: we don’t follow Jesus alone. Faith is personal, yes. But it’s also communal. Some of the most meaningful Sundays are when people ask questions, wrestle with the sermon, and seek deeper understanding. That’s discipleship in action. Jesus challenges the crowd to count the cost of following Him. He uses examples—a builder estimating costs, a king assessing his army—to warn against impulsive decisions. Following Him requires thought, commitment, and sacrifice. What Does This Look Like at St Anne’s? At St Anne’s, discipleship begins with baptism. It’s the moment we’re welcomed into God’s family. Whether we speak the promises ourselves or through parents and godparents, it’s the start of a lifelong journey. We grow together—through weekly worship, prayer, fellowship, communion, and studying God’s word. And we carry that rhythm into our week: Daily prayer Bible reading Living out our faith in everyday life Keep your Bible with you. Keep it in your bag, your car—wherever you’ll read it. Let it guide you. From Sparks to Fire Baptism is the spark. But we’re not just after sparks—we’re after fire. A fire that grows through habits, not hype. Through rhythms of grace, not quick fixes. Discipleship is slow, often unseen, and rarely flashy. But it’s how the Spirit shapes us. It’s how we grow into Christ. So, let’s commit to the long game. Let’s build resilience. Let’s read the whole Bible, even the hard parts. Let’s journey together. Final Thought Jesus wants you—not just for a moment, but for a lifetime. It has to be Jesus all the way. This is discipleship at the expense of everything else—so that we can experience the joy of a lifelong journey with Him. Amen.
EASY & SECURE GIVING One of the really important ways that each of us lives our faith and participates in the mission of the Church, is through the act of giving. Regular giving can be a prayerful expression of faith in action, and it is vital to sustain our church, helping us to plan for the future. We are members of the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) which provides the simplest and most secure way for everyone to give to our church. By making a gift through PGS, they manage all the admin on our behalf, which makes a big difference to the church staff and volunteers. In fact, if you already give regularly through a Standing Order, please consider moving across to PGS. It’s quite straight forward to make the change (you just cancel the standing order with your bank and set up a new gift with PGS) and you’ll be lightening the load of our church team! When you set up a regular gift by Direct Debit with PGS, you can choose the frequency and amount of your gift and opt in to Gift Aid, if you are eligible. Through Gift Aid, we receive an extra 25p for every pound you give which makes a significant impact across the year. There’s also an option for you to increase your gift annually, with the peace of mind that you can adjust your gift at any time. One of the most important aspects of our choice to partner PGS to process gifts on behalf of this church, is that the giver always remains in control. The quickest and easiest way to set up and manage your regular gift is online, through the PGS website.It is also possible to make a one-off gift online, using a debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. To set up a regular or one-off gift online, scan the QR code Or visit parishgiving.org.uk, find your church using the easy search tool, and follow a few simple steps to set up your gift securely. If you’re not connected to the internet, don’t worry. You can set up your regular gift by phoning the PGS team on 0333 002 1271, Monday to Friday, 9-5, or completing a paper gift form. If you’d like to know more, please get in touch with Debra Barnes (Church treasurer)
