Earnest Hemingway defined courage as “grace under pressure.” President John Kennedy referred to it as the “most admirable of human virtues.” Songwriter Keni Thomas claims that a hero is “a scared man that don’t walk away.” For some reason, mankind seems to admire those who take on uncommon risk to improve their own condition or the condition of others. From medals to awards to recognition by the highest leaders of government, courageous individuals are put on a pedestal for their bravery. However, as is evident from the above quotes, definitions of courage vary from person to person. What one considers brave another might consider foolish. What one considers foolish another might consider brave. In fact the line between valor and stupidity is often blurred beyond recognition. General Eisenhower seemed to appreciate this concept the evening before the Allied invasion of Europe. He had his resignation letter prepared just in case the offensive did not have a favorable outcome. While the stakes may not be as great, I believe we have much the same difficulty in deciphering what is courageous and what is irrational.

When we read the gospels, we hear our Savior calling for radical action on the part of his followers. Consider these words from the Gospel of Matthew:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more that me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39)
Does Jesus really expect us to go against our fathers and mothers and sons and daughters? Does he really expect that the people living in our own homes will become our enemies? If so, what does that mean for disciples? Where is the line between Christian living and shear callousness, between courage and foolishness? Of course, we will say that Jesus simply means that he must be more important than anyone or anything else in our lives. True enough.

But the question still lingers in my mind, “Why such strong language?” (or to borrow a phrase from the Joker, “Why so serious?”) Jesus could have just come out and said, “I have to be most important to you,” right? This hyperbolic language almost seems to be too much. Jesus is the Prince of Peace after all, but here he is talking about starting war.

A few verses earlier, Jesus speaks of persecution that will come to his disciples. He tells them to “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (v. 16). The then encourages them not to fear (v. 26) and reminds them of their value and God’s promise to sustain His children (v. 31). Perhaps the purpose of this seemingly erratic monologue is to let followers know that it will be worth it, but it will not be easy. That God is in control but that he does not always control every situation. That sometimes people reject God and therefore act violently toward His messengers. We have an idea of Christianity bringing only joys and blessings. Certainly there are those things. But if we want to truly know and understand Jesus, we must also recognize his teachings about sacrifice and suffering. According to Jesus, following him can be a frightening thing. Thankfully, we can overcome that fear because, as he points out, no matter what happens, we are on the winning side.