No Excuses Being Christ’s Disciples
BRD REFLECTION 2025
(Joel Choong from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
I read Luke 14, paying special attention to the following verses:
“A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. … But they all alike began to make excuses. … And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” (v16,18, 23-24)
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple… any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (v26-27, 33)
OBSERVE:
The Parable of the Great Banquet might sound familiar because it also occurs in Matthew 22, with some variation. But both parables end the same way: people who rejected the master’s invitation were in trouble!
However, in Luke, Jesus gives a deeper meaning to this call and rejection. He announces to the great crowds that they should have no excuses about being His disciples. If they “cannot renounce all that, then they cannot be his disciple”.
APPLY:
How difficult it is to be a disciple of Christ! As I read the passage, I was reminded of all the times when I let obligations and “common sense” get in the way of God’s work.
I remembered occasions where I used family obligations as excuses to avoid discipleship moments such as spending more time with people who might need God’s comforting hand.
In recent times, I often use the term “self care”. When I do so, is it an excuse to put myself first rather than bear the cross I’m given? There are some basics like sleep and rest for sure, but shouldn’t I be looking to God for His strength and His rest? What makes me think that I know what is best for myself, when all I truly need is Christ?
DO:
I need to ask God for wisdom and guidance daily. Am I bearing my cross as a disciple of Christ, or hiding behind personal responsibilities and obligations to avoid difficult moments of discipleship?
PRAY:
Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I have not counted the cost of being Your disciple. Please give me the strength and wisdom to be a faithful disciple. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
