“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27, NIV)
A disciple is a follower. A disciple aspires to be exactly like his or her teacher. As Jesus is Truth, we must be scrupulously truthful — and everything else He is, including a cross-bearer. Anything less is not true discipleship. Anything else is not obedience.
A disciple is holy. The disciple’s holiness is measured in the points of similarity to his or her teacher; and in the degree of difference from the “common way” in his or her way of thinking (e. g. love for enemies, blessings for curses, concern for the poor, readiness to reconcile, etc. . .).
Today’s scripture takes us to the bedrock of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus: Holiness, obedience, and cross-bearing. – Luther
Daily Encouragement 