All In

Sometimes we use the phrase, “I’m all in.” It means we are wholly and heartily committed to the matter at hand. It implies that we know the demand and will not be prevented from our part in it. Do you think we ever use this phrase of commitment before we have fully counted the cost and possible obstacles? If one has accidentally double-booked obligations or has not realized the stiff demands involved, there can be a problem ahead, the “all-in” comes under review.

The Gospels reveal moments when Jesus challenges followers to utter commitment. Luke records the story of Jesus as he is on the way from his activity in Galilee to his actions in Jerusalem. As he goes growing crowds of people gather to hear him and witness his acts of healing, the signs of the kingdom of God. People follow to see what will happen next with this indescribable rabbi. At one point he turns to say,

“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple … none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.” (Luke 14:26-27, 33)

This is the extreme and striking way that Jesus says, to follow him, you must be all in. It is a clarification that indicates that people who follow him will have resistance to their decision from their family and from within themselves. He indicates that they will feel the pull of their own possessions to reject the call of discipleship and return to what they had known. To be a disciple, Jesus says, is to carry the cross, feeling how frightening that is, and still to keep following him.

“Hate” is such a strong word for Jesus to use. It startles us as it must have startled the original hearers. The Greek word meseo has an array of uses. It is used to mean “I hate,”  (despise, detest or abhor). It can also mean “I disregard,” or “I am indifferent to.” With the strongest of words, Jesus calls followers to disregard all other influences, giving their fullest regard and attention to him, and to the way of the cross. One thinks of the old and simple song that has come to the lips of many through the centuries:

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus.
No turning back. No turning back.

Jesus says to the huge crowd following him on the way to Jerusalem that truly to follow him, they must look only to him. He turns now to the immeasurable crowd listening through the message of this Gospel. In the moment we tune into this gospel scene Jesus says to each of us, “To follow me, you must be all in.” What will I decide? What will you decide?