Read Luke 14:25-30 SOAP Luke 14:26-28
I hate to keep referencing the same book, but I love the explanation Kyle Idleman gives of this passage.
Jesus is honest with the crowd about what it may cost to follow him. He lets them know that following him may mean offending your parents or grandparents. It may mean being cut out of the will or even cut off from the family. I've talked to people who put off following Jesus because they don't want to hurt their parents' feelings. Your brother or sister won't know what to make of your decision follow and they may distance themselves from you. And Jesus is saying, "Yep, that may be part of it. And if you're not willing to choose me over your family, then you are not ready to follow, and maybe it's time for you to go on home."
Some teachers have tried to soften these words of Jesus by saying they were only meant for a select few who would specifically be chosen to represent him. But it says, "large crowds." And when Jesus speaks to the "large crowds" he doesn't address a specific segment. Did you notice the word he used in verse 26? Jesus says, "If anyone..." That's a fairly inclusive word. Jesus isn't laying out the entrance requirements for the twelve disciples. He is not talking to a seminary class. He's not addressing a group of pastors and missionaries. He's not just talking to kids who grew up in the church and professed their faith when they were ten. What Jesus says is true for anyone who wants to follow him.
- by Kyle Idleman, "Not A Fan"
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFawn I also like this book on the parts I have read so far....
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Girls
ReplyDeleteTo get the correct understanding of this soap passage we have to understand the Greek word “hatred” it is used here to mean a lesser love (John MacArthur). He is not asking us to hate each other as some might interpret. Jesus desires that we have such dedication to Him that any attachment to the world including own lives would seem like hatred in comparison. We are also to take stock of our own lives before boldly declaring our willingness to go out and conquer the world. You don’t send someone into a war battle without proper training if you did they would be cut down immediately. You train that person with equipment that will enable them to survive. It is the same with going out into the world to proclaim the gospel and our weapons are prayer and study of God word without it you will certainly fail. It’s up to me how much training I want to put into serving Christ, whether it’s just a flipping through a few pages of the bible quickly and saying “ok I read the bible today” or do I want to dive in and study it, devour it, and let it sink deep into my spirit. I know I have used this before but it seems to fit for our soap today and I cannot even remember who said it but the comment has always stayed with me, because I do want to be able to give Jesus everything in order to follow Him successfully.
“To come to Christ cost nothing. To follow Christ cost something. To serve Christ cost everything”.