The Table is a cross
Luke 14: 25-33 New Ark United Church of Christ, Newark, DE September 7, 2025 Photo of a cardboard protest sign that reads "What lessens one of us, lessens all of us." Sometimes, with certain scriptures, it’s tempting to call him “Difficult Jesus” but seriously, when is he not being difficult? Well, difficult for people who look like me. When I was younger and feeling like an outcast, I fell in love with the guy. This Jesus who forgives and claims us as we are. This Jesus who blesses the poor in spirit and those who mourn. This Jesus who lifts up those who are oppressed and denounces the proud and self-sufficient. This Jesus who breaks the rules and preaches against the establishment. I never thought I’d be part of the establishment, but here I am. So when Jesus says that whoever comes to them to be a disciple and does not hate their family, their kindred, their friends, even their life, rather than prescribing what we have to do to qualify, he is describing what wa...
