Luke 14:25-35

content/bible_journal/luke_14:25-35.md

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+title = "Luke 14:25–35"
+date = "2022-12-30"
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+
+### [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.