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.

content/bible_journal/luke_9:57-62.md

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 ### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk9.57-62)
 
-While we have seen thath the disciples were imperfect people, these verses show
+While we have seen that the disciples were imperfect people, these verses show
 us that not just anyone will be willing to pay the true cost of following
 Jesus. The first man sounds like he'll be loyal, but Jesus says that the road
 will not be full of material comforts, or even that there will be deprivation