It isn’t fit for the soil or for the manure pile; they throw it out. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen. Luke 14:35 CSB If you have ears, use them! Why does Jesus say something like that? Is He just obnoxious? No. He is alluding to the failure of people to believe what…

Now, salt is good, but if salt should lose its taste, how will it be made salty? Luke 14:34 CSB I’ve often wondered what Jesus had in mind here. Pure salt does not lose its flavor. However, back in the first century, as well as now, salt is often mixed with additives. These additives can…

In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 CSB Jesus makes His message very direct here. If you want to follow Him, you had better count the cost. He is not offering a life of pleasure, but a life of peace.…

If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. Luke 14:32 CSB This king may figure out he needs to sue for peace. But what is this parable about? What does it mean? In many cases, Jesus does not directly explain the meaning, but He…

Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? Luke 14:31 CSB Jesus does not intend for this to be an outrageous example. A king with ten thousand to command…

saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Luke 14:30 CSB In all of Scripture we see this emphasis on finishing. To begin is important, but to finish is key. Many may begin late, or slowly. But, to finish strong, that is very crucial. The Christian life is not meant to be…

Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, Luke 14:29 CSB Jesus is a masterful teacher. He gets right to the heart of our issues. He knows how we think, and what we feel. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your glory and power. You…

For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Luke 14:28 CSB This is a grand example. In this case the individual has chosen to establish a new city and is building the main structure. To take on…

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 CSB What Jesus is saying here could have been misunderstood by His hearers. He had at least one zealot among His disciples. The zealots were a contingent of Jews who were very antagonistic to Rome. These folks had…

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 CSB What is Jesus doing with this? Hate your family, and even your own life? Though it is sometimes hard for so called ‘self-dependent’…