GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 22

Luke 22:1-6  Judas Is Recruited to Betray Jesus
The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, drew near.  The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks.  That's when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot.  he was one of the Twelve.  Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them.  They couldn't believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well.  He gave them his word and started looking for a way to betray Jesus, but out of sight of the crowd. 
    Today we would call Judas a mole - someone in the inner circle working against the group.  What drove Judas to this point?  Did he feel unappreciated?  Was he tired of living on a disciples' budget?  We don't know the answers.  
    Is there a bit of Judas in each of us?  We are all hyman - it's HARD to live as Christ demanded day in and day out.  our betrayals may not be the high price Christ paid, but the impact can be just as painful.  A sharp, hurtful word, failure to get involved, averting eye contact with a homeless soul - these are all betrayals of Christ.  Failures to act and serve as Christ called.  May God help us recognize our Judas moments and then reject the silver coins.  

Luke 22: 7-23  The Last Supper
Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.'  He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.' (MSG:19-20)
Commentary from The Voice:
     "The meal that Jesus and His disciples shared is still celebrated today among followers of Jesus.  We surround it with varied rituals and music, but the original meal took place in the midst of great drama and tension.  The disciples were arguing, and Jesus was teaching them yet another lesson about life in the kingdom of God.  Jesus even spoke of His own suffering and their betrayal and denial.  Yet through it all, Jesus' focus remained on the central theme of His life and mission: the coming of the kingdom of God."


Luke 22: 39-45  Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Then he went off from them about the distance of a stone's throw and knelt down and prayed.  'Father,' he said, 'if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me,  Not my will, however, but your will be done.'  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (GNT:41-44)

     Once again, Jesus turns to prayer - in the midst of a very trying and stressful night.  His prayer reflects honest, gut emotions: God, I don't want to do this!  But the prayer also invokes the prayer that 'never fails' (to quote Father Tim in Jan Karon's Mitford books!) - Thy will be done.    Angels come to strengthen Jesus for the difficult hours ahead.  God will stand by us also in our hours of need and give us the strength to endure the trials before us. 
I appreciated The Voice commentary on this section also:  "We often speak of having faith in Jesus, but we seldom speak of the faith of Jesus, a faith He demonstrated consistently throughout His life and especially at its end.  In a moment of agony, Jesus still trusted God, still yielded His will to God, and still approached God as "Father," placing Himself in the position of child, in trust - profound, tested, and sincere." 

Luke 22:47-53  Jesus Is Arrested
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a crowd showed up, Judas, the one from the Twelve, in the lead.  He came right up to Jesus to kiss him.  Jesus said, 'Judas, you would betray the Son of Man with a kiss?'  When the disciples who were with Jesus saw what was going to happen, they asked, 'Shall we use our swords, Lord? And one of them struck the High Priest's slave and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus said, 'Enough of this!' He touched the man's ear and healed him.  
     Clear to the end, Jesus' message is one of peace, healing, and love.  The last miracle recorded in Luke is the healing of the slave's ear - a slave representing his enemy.  There is strength in facing persecution with active love, defending the word and character of God.  Jesus is preaching a message of forgiveness and hope even as he is arrested.

      Luke 22:54-62  Peter Denies Jesus
Peter said, 'Man, I don't know what you're talking about.'  At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed.  Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter.  Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.'  He went out and cried and cried and cried.  (MSG: 60-62)
     How often am I Peter?  How often do I fail to proclaim my allegiance to Christ...usually when in the company of non-believers or those who think differently.  We all do it at one time or another.  Peter is so very human.  We are human.  And the beautiful thing?  God loves us all - even in our failures.  

GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 21

Luke 21:1-4  The Widow's Offering
Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate.  Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies.  Her said, "The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today.  All these others made offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford - she gave her all!"   (MSG)
From Faith in Action Commentary:
"This woman sacrificed what little she had, her last resources to live on.  Jesus called that real giving.....How often do we miss seeing examples today of people in the most reduced circumstances having a better handle on generosity than those mired in materialism?  Giving is the antidote to greed, a sure way to protect our hearts against selfishness.  The humble poor have much to teach those of us with an abundance of resources but a calculating spirit.  Our situations vary.  What would sacrificial giving mean for you?  Have you ever given past your last available resources?  How has God seen you through?"

Luke 21: 5-38  Signs of the End of the Age

"It will seem like all hell has broken loose - sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the power-that-be-quaking.  ... And then -then!- they'll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style - a glorious welcome!  When all this starts to happen, up on your feet,  Stand tall with your heads high.  Help is on the way! 

     Jesus gives a long discourse on the signs of the end times, the impending judgment on Jerusalem in particular.  But in the midst of the natural disasters, the tearing apart of families, there is hope.  When the judgment comes, it will be like all heaven is breaking loose, and all the glory of God, the goodness of God, will shower the world.  





Luke 21:29-33      The Lesson of the Fig Tree
Then Jesus told them this parable: 'Think of the fig tree and all the other trees.  When you see their leaves beginning to appear, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the Kingdom of God is about to come.    Remember that all these things will take place before the people now living have all died.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
     The fig tree is an example of the changes in the seasons.  There will be changes in our world as judgment approaches.  The signs will be there of the approach of the finality of God's Kingdom.  But, in the meantime, are the signs not still present of bits and pieces of the Kingdom with us now, the fruit of peace ripening within each of us?  

GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 20

Luke 20:9-19  The Corrupt Tenant Farmers
Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my own dear son' surely they will respect him!'  But when the tenants saw him, they said to one another, 'This is the owner's son.  Let's kill him, and his property will be ours!  So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.....The teachers of the Law and the chief priests tried to arrest Jesus on the spot, because they knew that he had told this parable against them; but they were afraid of the people. (GNT:13-15a, 19)
     Jesus wept as he entered Jerusalem days earlier.  He knows God is about to bring judgment on the Israelite people through him.  This parable tells the story of Israel - all the prophets God has sent which the religious leaders have scorned.  Now God is sending his son, who will be killed.  The farm of God is about to be turned over to new owners, the Gentiles.  The Kingdom is expanding.  


Luke 20:20-26  Render Unto Caesar
Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"  He knew they were laying for him and said, "Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?"  "Caesar," they said. Jesus said, "Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his." (MSG -
     Jesus is NOT a political adversary of Rome.  He cannot be charged with political subversion or nationalism.   His answer to this trap is typical: give to the government what is of this world, give to God what belongs to God.  
     Those who are 'hell-bent' on maintaining a Christian nationalism in America would do well to actually follow Jesus' answer.  God doesn't bless any particular nation.  God blesses people who honor humanity, community, and care for one another.  Once again, Jesus avoids the trap.   


Luke 20: 1-8, 27-44  Trying to Trap Jesus
So they [chief priests] looked for an opportunity.  They bribed some men to pretend they were sincere, and they sent them to trap Jesus with questions, so that they could hand him over to the authority and power of the Roman Governor.  (GNT:20)
      Three distinct instances are highlighted here.  At the beginning of the chapter Jesus is questioned on his authority.  He turns the question around and asks about John's authority to baptize.  The leaders are stumped.  Then the question about taxes and Jesus' rather famous response...'Render unto Caesar what is his and God his own'.  Finally the Sadducees, who don't believe in the resurrection, try to nail Jesus on an intricate question of marriage, legality, and the after-life.  Jesus response that all marriage covenants in heaven are broken - the marriage is with God.  In each instance, the efforts to trap Jesus into self-condemnation fails.  When one is in the right with the power of God, the words to respond come quickly and with assurance!  

Luke 20: 45-47  Beware the Religious Scholars
With everybody listening, Jesus spoke to his disciples.  "Watch out for the religion scholars.  They love to walk around in academic gowns, preen in the radiance of public flattery, bask in prominent positions, sit at the head table at every church function.  And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless.  The longer their prayers, the worse they get.  But they'll pay for it in the end."

From Faith in Action Commentary:
"Jesus then issues a final, public warning about the pride of these teachers.  Such arrogance leads to an elevation of self that ends up seeing others (in this case widows) as inferior - available for use as pawns.... Jesus calls us to a mind-set that disregards titles.  The more special we make ourselves, the less special God becomes in our eyes."

     We have many such leaders today unfortunately.  Those who seem to fear 'pollution from without' to the point where they disregard or abuse the very ones Christ calls us to serve.  We can question their faith, their motives, but first we must call to question our own response, our own pride and self-arrogance. 

GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 19

Luke 19:1-10  Zacchaeus
When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped. "What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?"......  Jesus said, "Today is salvation day in this home!  Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham!  For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost."
     The story of Zacchaeus takes me back a couple chapters in Luke to all the 'Lost' parables.  Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name.  He knows Zacchaeus is ready for a change of heart.  He knows he is a lost soul looking to be found.  So Jesus calls and Zacchaeus responds.  How big is the 'Lost and Found' box in the Kingdom of God?  It must be huge!!  

Luke 19: 28-40  The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street.

37-38 Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed:

Blessed is he who comes,
    the king in God’s name!
All’s well in heaven!
    Glory in the high places!   (MSG:35-38)

     Jesus enters Jerusalem with humility, still letting his actions speak for who he is, letting the crowd proclaim his status.  His power was not in regal acclaim, but in the service and message he proclaimed.  When we 'enter' a new community, do we come with the same humility and grace, letting our service speak for us?  Are we riding a donkey or driving a Porsche?  





Luke 19: 45-46  Jesus Turns the Temple Tables

Then Jesus went into the Temple and began to drive out the merchants, 46 saying to them, “It is written in the Scriptures that God said, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer.’ But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!”  (GNT)

     Money-changers converted the Roman coins to Hebrew shekels in order for the worshipers to purchase the various sacrificial animals and products necessary for 'atonement'.  Fraud and opportunism was rampant and the temple had become a place of commercialism and greed.  It was no longer a place of worship and praise.  This is one of the few times Jesus apparently becomes angry and reacts in a sudden, physical way: he throws over the money-changing tables and drives the merchants out.  

GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 18

Luke 18:1-8  The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged.... For a long time the judge refused to act, but at last he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or respect people, 5 yet because of all the trouble this widow is giving me, I will see to it that she gets her rights. If I don't, she will keep on coming and finally wear me out!’”  (GNT: 1, 4-5)
       I remembered just reading this passage last month as I read through Max Lucado's book, Before Amen.  This was the example for Persistent Prayer...patiently beseeching God        From The Voice commentary:  Jesus emphasizes that the Kingdom of God will not come through valiant efforts but as people pray, 'may Your kingdom come," with persistence and with humility.  

Luke 18:9-14 The Tax Man and the Pharisee
He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people....Jesus commented, “This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”  (MSG:9,14)

     From Faith in Action Bible commentary:  "The prayer God hears is the call for mercy.  Jesus explained why, stating one of the wonderful topsy-turvy principles that characterize the Christian value system: those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but the humble will be lifted up.    
     "Would you characterize yourself as humble?  Humility is hard to discuss, because by its very nature it doesn't talk about itself.  It simply gets out there and serve, often sacrificially and anonymously.  It doesn't claim rights but tries to do what's right.  It doesn't brag about integrity but demonstrates honesty.  Sometimes Christians confuse humility with self-deprecation - an apologetic, timid approach to life.  On the contrary, the truly humble Christian exudes a God-given joy and confidence that are attractive and inviting."  (p.1719)

Luke 18:15-17   Jesus and the Children
Some people brought their babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. The disciples saw them and scolded them for doing so, 16 but Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Remember this! Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”  (GNT)
     Three verses that have inspired thousands of paintings and leave us with an image of a gentle Jesus, a reminder of the approach to God that reaps rewards beyond measure.  Children were also one of society's outcasts - too young to contribute, seen but not heard type of attitude.  Jesus gives them value and worth in his invitation.  
     Picture a child with a parent walking side by side, trusting and confident.  That's our relationship with God.  

Luke 18:18-30  The Rich Man

“Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go.

24-25 Seeing his reaction, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter God’s kingdom? I’d say it’s easier to thread a camel through a needle’s eye than get a rich person into God’s kingdom.” (MSG:22-25)

     Jesus isn't so much testing the rich man's works but probing his heart and his fundamental allegiance to God.  The central issue isn't in selling everything in order to know God.  Where does my trust reside?  Is my wealth mine or God's in trust?  Do I use my wealth to further God's kingdom or for my own security and safety?  How well can I go through the eye of the needle?  

Luke 18:35-43  The Blind Man

Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought over. When he had come near, Jesus asked, “What do you want from me?”

41 He said, “Master, I want to see again.”

42-43 Jesus said, “Go ahead—see again! Your faith has saved and healed you!” The healing was instant: He looked up, seeing—and then followed Jesus, glorifying God. Everyone in the street joined in, shouting praise to God. (MSG:40-43)

     The blind man risked social rebuke to gain what he knew Jesus had the power to grant.  His faith was strong.  His commitment to get what he needed, to make possible the impossible, was strong.  Jesus opened his eyes, and the sighted believer followed him in praise and glory.  The blind man gained sight, but he also gained recognition and the power to share the message with others.  

GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 17

Luke 17: 11-17  Healing of the Ten Lepers
On the way they were made clean.15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself to the ground at Jesus' feet and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan.17 Jesus spoke up, “There were ten who were healed; where are the other nine? 18 Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Get up and go; your faith has made you well.” (GNT)
     How easy it is to take grace for granted!  Ten were healed, but only one, a Samaritan even, came back to say thanks and praise God.  We have been healed in grace.  How often do we say our thanks, declare our praise, and attune ourselves to God with such an attitude of gratitude that we overflow with love for those around us? 

Luke 17:20-37   The Coming of the Kingdom
Jesus, grilled by the Pharisees on when the kingdom of God would come, answered, “The kingdom of God doesn’t come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, ‘Look here!’ or, ‘There it is!’ And why? Because God’s kingdom is already among you.” (MSG 20-21)
     So much time and money is spent on the speculation of the 'end times'.  Are the signs imminent?  I love the phrase that the Kingdom is already among us. No need to put all our eggs into the 'end-times basket'.  In doing so, we fail to live the love of the Kingdom potential right now - the potential in you and me.  If we live the Kingdom NOW, we don't have to worry if we will 'be ready'!  

GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 16

Luke 16:1-18  
The Story of the Crooked Manager
If you’re honest in small things,
    you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things,
    you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs,    who will put you in charge of the store?
No worker can serve two bosses:
    He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.    You can’t serve both God and the Bank. (MSG 10-13)


Luke 16:27-31  The Rich Man and Lazarus

27-28 “The rich man said, ‘Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won’t end up here in this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham answered, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.’

30 “‘I know, Father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but they’re not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.’

31 “Abraham replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they’re not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.’”

     Chapter 16 parables are stories of resources.  How do we use our money, what does it represent, how do we manage the blessings of God?  Good money management should provide the means with which to reach out and perform acts of caring; to witness through our gifts.  The parable of the manager is difficult to understand in that Jesus uses a negative example to make a positive point.  It is easy to lose the point in the story.  But the summary given in verses 10-13 clarifies the main issue.  
     Lazarus is named in the second story.  The rich man is not.  A reminder that God calls us individually by name, even the poor and outcast?  A reminder that the weathy are bundled together anonymously in the name of those who abuse power?  

Commentary from The Voice:
The theme of money and wealth has come up again and again. It’s what really motivates the Pharisees, it turns out. Money might be God’s top competitor. In the previous parable, Jesus turns the tables. The rich man, who represents what most people wish they could become, turns out to be the one who is hopeless in God’s judgment; he is rich in possessions but poor in compassion, and compassion is what God measures, not wealth. The kingdom of God, Jesus is making clear, calls rich people to stop working to increase their personal wealth portfolio; instead, it challenges them to join God by using their wealth and power on behalf of the poor.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 15

Luke 15:4-7 Parable of the Lost Sheep  
 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. (MSG)

Luke 15:20-24  
Parable of the Prodigal Son

“When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’

 “But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time. (MSG)

   
      Chapter 15 has a singular theme - the joy God feels when one of his lost is found.  Jesus tells stories of lost sheep, lost coins, and a lost son, but the message is the same.  We can't ignore the homeless, the downtrodden, the sinner.  The Pharisees felt Jesus spent too much time polluting himself and others with such people.  Yet these are the very ones to whom God is drawn - those who need the message of salvation, those who are 'lost'.  
     How often do we extend our rebuff to the marginally lost - those who are socially inept, the gossips, the annoying?  We might not segregate people into the class of outcast, but their differences prevent us from fully gathering them into the fold.  How accepting are we of people we just might not LIKE?  
     The lost are a treasure to rejoice in when found.  God rejoices.  Are we like the Father in our celebration, or do we stand aside and scoff like the older brother?  

GOSPEL OF LUKE: Chapter 14

Luke 14:3-6  Sabbath Questions….Again!

So Jesus asked the religion scholars and Pharisees present, “Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath? Yes or no?”   They were silent. So he took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. Then he said, “Is there anyone here who, if a child or animal fell down a well, wouldn’t rush to pull him out immediately, not asking whether or not it was the Sabbath?” They were stumped. There was nothing they could say to that.  (MSG)

Luke 14:3-6

When will the Pharisees let this issue of Sabbath work rest?  It is apparent from the very beginning that to Jesus the overall goal far surpasses any law on the books!  The purpose and intent of the Sabbath is what is important: to honor God!  What can be more a demonstration of honor than to do Godly work.  If the Pharisees were to follow the letter of the law themselves, could they do their job?  God asked us to set one day aside for his purpose; what if we were to take a few minutes every hour, a few seconds every minute?  What if we were to honor the Celtic tradition and LIVE God, LIVE Sabbath continually?

Luke 14:10-11   Hospitality

“When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’….. if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”  (MSG 10-11)

          True hospitality looks beyond personal comfort or social one-up-manship.  True hospitality is concerned with the needs of the guest, making the guest feel comfortable and at home.  To be able to receive hospitality is just as important as giving it.  In the past 2 weeks, Rick and I have been on the receiving end of all manner of hospitality, staying with friends and family on 10 different occasions.  To be a gracious guest is sometimes as hard as being a gracious host!  But when the give and take is genuine, true hospitality flows as naturally as love pouring from an open bottle. 

Luke 14:10-14

Luke 14:12-14
 No Tit for Tat

Then he turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.” MSG

          Serve those who can’t return the favor; no tit for tat.  The best hospitality is given, not exchanged.  Hospitality doesn’t keep score.  God will take care of that. 

          How often do we invite the same people over and over to our homes?  I am so guilty as charged.  May I remember our Lord’s words the next time I have cause to make invitation.  Could I extend an invite to at least one ‘outsider’?

Luke 14: 26-33 FIGURE THE COST
"Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters - yes, even one's own self! - can't be my disciple.  Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.....Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple."
     This is such a hard passage.  The NIV says hate your father and mother.  The Message tempers it a little, with 'refusing to let go'.   Yet Jesus is trying to make clear the sacrifice he is requiring.  I wonder if the disciples had any clue the reference to the cross - they hadn't witnessed Christ's sacrifice yet or the cross he would carry at Golgatha.  The cost of discipleship is high - Jesus demands our all.  Jesus demands to be numero uno, top on our list.  Perhaps that sounds easy to do, but we deceive ourselves. We allow so much to wiggle its way in front.   More likely, we spend a lifetime 'attempting' to be a disciple.  But it is a worthy goal and I shall keep trying.  

Luke 14: 34  SALT

 “Salt is excellent.  But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing.”  Are you listening to this?  Really listening?”  (MSG)

        Salt….a seasoning for flavor, preservation, part of the earth.  Salt is a critical element, a part of us.   We must make our faith like salt; embedded within us totally. 
        How salty am I?   Does my salt irritate an open wound or enhance the message of God?  Are there times when my saltiness should irritate for the sake of God?  Has my salt gone flat, my faith hollow and meaningless?
        How can I keep my salt full of flavor, robust and ready to season a world waiting for a taste of God?