Read Luke 14:25-35

THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE
Jesus’ audience was sell aware of what it meant to carry a cross. When the Romans led a criminal to his execution site, he was forced to carry the cross on which he would die. This showed his submission to Rome and warned observers that they had better submit, too. Jesus spoke this teaching to get the crowds to think through their enthusiasm for Him. He encountered those who were superficial either to go deeper or to turn back. Following Christ means total submission to Him – perhaps even to the point of death.
When a builder doesn’t count the cost or estimates it inaccurately, his building may be left half completed. Will your Christian life be abandoned after a little while because you did not count the cost of commitment to Jesus? Christians may face loss of social status or wealth. They may have to give up control of their money, their time or their career. They may be hated, separated from their family, and even put to death.
Following Christ does not mean a trouble free life. You must carefully count the cost of becoming Christ’s disciple so that you will firmly hold to your faith and won’t be tempted later to turn back.
Salt can lose its flavor. When it gets wet and then dries, or is contaminated, nothing is left but a tasteless residue. Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ. But Jesus ways if Christians lose their distinctive saltiness, they become worthless. Just as salt flavors and preserves food, you are to preserve the good in the world and bring new flavor to life. This requires special planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ. But if a Christian fails to be salty, he/she fails to represent Christ in the world. How salty are you?

Read Luke 14:15-24

THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT FESTIVAL
The man sitting at the table with Jesus saw the glory of God’s kingdom, but he did not yet understand how to get in. In Jesus’ story many people turned down the invitation to the feast because the timing was inconvenient. You, too, may resist or delay responding to God’s invitation, and your excuses may sound reasonable – work, family, finances, or whatever else they may be. Nevertheless, God’s invitation is the most important event in your life, no matter how inconveniently it may be timed. Are you making excuses to avoid responding to God’s call? Jesus reminds you that the time will come when God will pull His invitation and offer it to others; then it will be too late for you.
It was customary to send two invitations to a party: the first, to announce the event. The second, to tell the guest that everything is ready. The quest in Jesus’ story insulted the host by making excuses when he issued a second invitation. In Israel’s history, God’s first invitation came from Moses and the prophets; the second came from His son, Jesus. The religious leaders accepted the first invitation. They believed that God had called them to be His people, but they insulted God by refusing to accept His Son. Thus, as the master in the story sent his servant into the streets to invite the needy to his feast, so God sent His Son to a whole world of needy people to tell them that God’s kingdom had arrived and was ready for them.

Read Luke 14:7-14

JESUS TEACHES HUMILITY
How can we be humble ourselves? Some people try to give the appearance of humility in order to manipulate others. Others think that humility means putting themselves down. Truly humble people declare themselves only with Christ, realize their sinfulness, and understand their limitations. On the other hand, they also recognize their gifts and strengths and are willing to use them as Christ directs. Humility is not self-degradation; it is realistic self-assessment and commitment to serve.
Jesus advised people not to rush for the best places at a feast. People today are just as eager, to raise their social status, whether by being with the right people, dressing for success, or driving the right car. Whom do you try to impress? Rather than aiming for prestige, look for a place where you can serve. If God wants you to serve on a wider scale, He will invite you to take a higher place.
Jesus taught two lessons. First, He spoke to the guests, telling them not to seek places of honor. Serving is more important to God than status. Second, He told the host not to be exclusive about whom he invited. God opens His kingdom up to everyone.

Read Luke 14:1-6

JESUS HEALS A MAN

Read Luke 13:31-35

JESUS GRIEVES OVER JERUSALEM
The Pharisees weren’t interested in protecting Jesus from danger. They were trying to trap Him themselves. The Pharisees urged Jesus to leave because they wanted to stop Him from going to Jerusalem, not because they feared Herod. But Jesus’ life, work, and death were not to be determined by Herod or the Pharisees. His life was planned and directed by God Himself, and His mission would unfold in God’s time and according to God’s plan.
Why was Jesus focusing on Jerusalem? Jerusalem, the city of God, symbolized the entire nation. It was Israel’s largest city, the nation’s spiritual and political capital, and Jews from around the known world visited it frequently. But Jerusalem had a history of rejecting God’s prophets, and it would reject the Messiah, just as it had rejected His forerunners.