Day 73

Luke 14:25–35 (NIV)

²⁵ Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: ²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.

²⁷ And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ ³¹ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? ³² If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. ³³ In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

³⁴ “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? ³⁵ It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Helpful Information

vs -34 But once salt has shown itself to be of no value, it is worthless. How does such a situation arise? In the ancient world, a couple of settings are possible. Bakers covered the floor of their ovens with salt to give a catalytic effect on the burning fuel, which was usually cattle dung. After a time, the effect wore off and the salt was thrown away. Also, most salt in the region came from the evaporated pools around the Dead Sea and was mixed with gypsum and other impurities. When moisture hit the salt, it evaporated and left behind these impurities, which were mixed with it in the soil. The salt loses its saltiness and is thrown away. It can no longer season anything (ἀρτύω, artyō; BAGD 111; BAA 222; elsewhere in the NT only at Mark 9:50 and Col. 4:6). The modern idiom would be “running out of gas.” “Running out of gas” as a disciple is always the result of not having Jesus be primary. Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Does Jesus expect us to hate our family? What does He mean?

What happens to someone who doesn’t count the cost of following Jesus?

Why does Jesus ask so much of a follower?

Have you counted the cost of following Jesus?

Notes

Large crowds are following Jesus for two reasons. First, many are on the way to the Passover in Jerusalem and secondly they are going to try to follow Jesus to figure out and see what all the fuss is about

vs 26-35 are now being echoed as a common subject (see 8:4–21; 9:23–27, 57–62; 12:13–5, 13:16-20) as Jesus tries to get the people to understand that he is not a show to be amazed at, or just a wise teacher. Jesus is here to show you the way. That way has cost in this world but not to follow Jesus will lead to destruction. Jesus is saying you must make a decision about me!

vs 26- hate- this doesn't mean hate in the sense of dislike, it means in comparison to Jesus there can be no comparison. Jesus is to be loved above any relationship and even yourself.

vs 27- that priority of God in your life will bring consequences in this world. Sacrifices will be made; how people receive you will be different. We need to understand that as we go forward.

---To become a follower of Jesus one not only needs to understand what Jesus does for us. One also needs to understand what is given up in following Jesus (back to the rock and thorns of 8:6-7)

When is a person mature enough to get this? Understanding what Jesus does comes early in life, what must be given up comes later. Or does it?

vs 28-30 Jesus wants us to consider what we do. He isn't afraid of us using our minds in fact He wants us to when it comes to faith. Faith is not based on emotion; it is based on a decision.

Tower would be used for security over ones property also for storage. Needing a foundation says that it is not small. Point is you wouldn't build something that you can't complete. So when it comes to the most important decision of your life consider it. Don't be a faith that starts out great but when hard times occur becomes goes away.

vs 31-33 A king has a decision to make if someone is coming to attack Him. Can he win with lesser numbers or should he seek to make peace? You also have a decision to make. You have to understand the cost of following. It means seeing the world differently. You don't own anything. It is all about giving it over to God. There are no provisions for you in terms of keeping family first, or holding on to this thing or that. You have to trust God with everything you have believing He will use it in the best way for you and everyone else.

For many people believing in Jesus means family may disassociate with them. It may mean property will be taken away. These things still happen in the world today. This is the most serious decision you will make, so consider it well.

vs 34-35 see helpful info above- it does no good to start something that you will not complete. It also is a path to destruction. Faith is about preserving Heb 12:1-3

vs 35- Ears to hear- Jesus way of saying this is very important!