In Luke 9 we reach the theological turning point of the Gospel. With help from the Father (see Matthew 16:17), the disciples finally understand who Jesus is: He is the Christ, the long-promised Deliverer of God's people (Luke 9:20). But before they start spreading the news that the Messiah is here (v21), and that He is their friend Jesus (!), there's an immediate and most unexpected, dark plot-twist in the story. As we've already seen with both Matthew and Mark, there's a couple of other things the disciples need to know: first, that their nation's Hope "must suffer… be rejected… be killed… and be raised to life" (v22); and second, now that they 'know everything', they need to know that anyone who truly follows Jesus as His disciple must also do so by 'the way of the cross' (v23). The necessity of losing your life for Jesus is at the heart of real Christian discipleship (v24), because Jesus knows that this is an 'all-or-nothing' matter. The stakes are just too high for a half-hearted, part-time response (v25, 62).
Sometimes we hear preachers encouraging those on the edge of a conversion-commitment to Christ to "count the cost" of their decision before making that final step. The truth is, Jesus has already 'counted the cost' for us. He knows what it will take to be a fruitful disciple better than we can imagine, for He knows the demands that discipleship will make upon us. When we follow Jesus there's only one way: that is, with a cross on our backs, for we go after Jesus to die to our old lives that we may live for Him.
Having said all that, it's not at all clear the disciples were really listening to Jesus for they clearly did not understand the implications of what He had said. A few days later they're found arguing among themselves as to which of them would be "the greatest" (v46-48). The 'cross of denying self', of saying "No" to our own personal agendas and ambitions, falls of our backs all too easily. It's why we need to take it up "daily" (v23).
And with that, the first half of the Gospel dramatically closes. "Jesus resolutely sets out for Jerusalem" (v51). The journey to heaven by the way of the Cross has begun. And as the curtain opens up on Act 2, what it means to be a disciple becomes clearer. Following Jesus is not something we do when we have the time to, or when we have been freed up from other responsibilities (9:57-62). The need to love, care and provide for our families remains. However, when we come across forks in the road and a choice must be made, which way will we choose: will we take the path of convention, comfort, custom or culture - or will we go the road of Christ? Going His way takes precedence over everything.
And going His way means we prioritise introducing others to Him (Luke 10:1-16). And this is where for many, discipleship begins to squeeze. 'Following' generally is a whole lot easier than 'evangelising' specifically. Following is for everyone. But evangelism is just for the experts, the apostles, the missionary, the minister… isn't it? Not if we take Jesus' words here seriously. Those who are truly devoted to Christ will want others to be devoted to Him as well, and so they will speak to others about Him, denying self's inhibitions and reservations (see again 9:23) and trusting in the Lord's enabling and empowering to do so (v17-24). The response and the results they will leave up to God to look after (v20).
There's one final lesson that the disciples must learn as they journey "on the way" (v38). And they learn it over dinner at Mary and Martha's place. Yes, they've learned that discipleship is a matter of devotion and dedication to Jesus, but they need to learn that it's not grinding religiosity or frenzied activism. It's not achievement that counts with Jesus, but commitment; not activities but attitudes; not quantity but quality. And that can only be learned at Jesus' feet (v39-42).
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