From 356e5b08755a9a0fc5b8b3ad1acafd9bfcde3199 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lyle Mantooth Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2022 12:10:16 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] Luke 14:25-35 --- content/bible_journal/luke_14:25-35.md | 45 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 45 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/bible_journal/luke_14:25-35.md diff --git a/content/bible_journal/luke_14:25-35.md b/content/bible_journal/luke_14:25-35.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..afcab18 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/luke_14:25-35.md @@ -0,0 +1,45 @@ ++++ +title = "Luke 14:25–35" +date = "2022-12-30" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk14.25-35) + +When Jesus addresses the crowds here, He reiterates and expands on what He +taught in [Luke 9:57–62](../luke-9-57-62). If you really want to follow +Jesus, you must be prepared to give up _everything_ you have. Not only physical +comforts and familial duties, but now even your entire family or your life. +"Hate" is often used in the Bible as a contrast to what is or has been loved, +not as a terrible, "I must destroy it!" rage. It might be closer to Elie +Wiesel's definition of the opposite of love: indifference. Even that isn't +quite right, because we shouldn't really be indifferent, or hate, our family. +Jesus is exaggerating to make a point, and setting an order of priorities. + +To carry your own cross means to take your own torture device to your +execution. Crucifixions were reserved for the worst criminals, and was even +illegal to perform on Roman citizens. To the Empire at large, it was already a +shameful way to die, but to the Jews it was worse because it carried the curse +from being hung upon a tree. (_Duet. 21:23_) Jesus says a person should be +willing to go through all that in order to follow Him. + +Jesus then gives a couple of examples of how it is important to carefully plan +and count up the cost of a great endeavor, such as building a tower or going to +war. One needs to consider carefully that the cost is worth it and that it can +be paid. Of course, Jesus's point is that everything you have is worth giving +up in order to follow Him. Not everyone actually has to give up their family, +their wealth, or their life for the sake of Jesus, but some certainly have. +They will stand with Christ on the Last Day and say with boldness that they +made the right choice. + +In the first century, salt was valued, but it wasn't very pure. It contained +gypsum, which is a mineral that looks a lot like salt, but doesn't dissolve in +water. Unsalty salt was actually just gypsum that is left behind after the salt +has been leached away by moisture, and no one had any use for it after that. +Jesus is comparing His disciples to salt, but those who become apostate and +turn away from their faith have lost their saltiness, and are therefore +worthless. + +* * * + +Preserve our saltiness so that we may be useful for Your kingdom. Show us Your +beauty and Your value that is greater than anything else that we have.