Impossible Verses? – Luke 14:33
August 11th, 2009 by Victor
Luke 14:33 – “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”
Surely Jesus doesn’t really mean “give up all your stuff” does he? How could this be? He probably just means be willing to give up all your possessions. But then again, that’s not what he said. What is Jesus saying here? Is this an impossible verse?
There is a strong theology of “possessions” in Luke/Acts if you trace it through. This probably is a Lukan theme, similar to Matthew’s fulfillment formulas, Mark’s “on-the-go” depictions, and John’s depiction of Jesus taking the place of the Jewish symbols.
It seems like to me that a wise man would then begin to give some
things up. If he can’t do it all, he could at least start with one, and
after that, pick up some other thing and ask God what he wants done with it, and so on, and so on till there’s either nothing left, or
God says it’s enough. I remember how the widow gave her mite.
She just did it. I wonder if it will be everything or not. It would be
good to be on one’s death bed and looking back, know that there’s
nothing.
The Lord’s disciples did it, didn’t they? Yet, I think of one who held
the bag.
Dustin,
How do you think this verse fits into the context of the Luke 9 to 19 journey to Jerusalem?
Does this verse even apply to us?
I mean, Jesus was talking about / to disciples. He had 70 of them. Could this verse not apply only to those at that time seeking to be His disciples? In such an instance, it would not be an unreasonable requirement and it would be literal; leave everything behind and come follow me. Peter admits that His disciples did, literally leave everything to follow Jesus:
(Related note: George Wesley Buchanan has a book that has just been published called, “Jesus Without Fabrication” in which he makes the case that Jesus had been born into a well-to-do family, but left it all and became a monk-like figure Who required the same of His disciples. NOTE: I’m not saying I believe that [at this point, I don't] and I’m not endorsing his work, but just adding something related to this thread. [I haven't read the book, but I do have it waiting for me in the States.])
It seem like even vocal atheists, like Christopher Hitchens, take this verse and say that “real” Christians would leave everything “to follow Jesus”.
Thoughts?
Sean,
That is a good question. Seems that there are a lot of parables/talks about possessions in Luke 14 (while there are a grouping of parables about the righteous/sinner in Luke 15 and 16).
My guess is that this is a typical gospel reorganizing of the material in order to make emphasis.
I also note that the early church is depicted as bringing their possessions and laying them at the feet of the Apostles in the early chapters of Acts.
Dustin