1. What does Jesus mean: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" (6:20) and "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation" (6:24)?
2. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus speaks several times about discipleship. Discuss one of his teachings about discipleship and demonstrate how we are to follow Jesus (follow “the way”).
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Question 1.
ReplyDeleteJesus means that if we are willing to give up everything we own and to follow Him we can reach the kindom of God. The question is if we as in divicuals willing to do that. To hate our parents, and family. The commad is to love God above all and your neighbour as yourself.
As i 6;24, woe to you you are rich, Jesus is not talking about maretial riches but spiritual riches, like Holy Spirit.
Question 2.
If we look at Luke 13:1-9, some told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus responds to this was that if you don't repent you will be worse of the the Galileans where. In 13:6-9 Jesus tells the arable about the fig tree, it has not bear fruit for three year and the ower instructed the worker to take it down. The worker asked to give the tree one more year, he would dig around the tree and fertilize it. If we look at this parable, Jesus tels us to be disciples and go out and go and look at our brothers and sisters that is not active in the church any more, give them love and compassion. We should do for other that we wat them to do for us. All Gods children is disciples for his church.
Connie,
ReplyDeleteYes, to reach the kingdom of God we must be willing to give up everything.
I do believe he was talking about material riches. With material riches comes power and privilege and often at the expense of exploiting others with our power and privilege. Jesus was really speaking about the injustice and exploitation that riches often brings.
Answer 1: no doubt the intension of Jesus here is not to make a difference between social classes or exclude the rich kingdom of God but the distinction that Jesus wants to show is based on the kingdom of God reverses the terms of the people
ReplyDeleteJesus saying to the poor theirs is the kingdom, certainly is not referring only to the economically poor but to all those who have placed their hope in the things of God and that despite the physical and spiritual suffering they have in this world the comfort that awaits them in heaven is greater than the physical suffering, or the material and spiritual needs they may have in this world, and this is what truly makes them rich and worthy to inherit the kingdom since its Hope is not on the riches of this world but who have placed their hope and comfort in the kingdom of God.
Also the rich, the expression uttered by Jesus is emphasized as a lament, and is addressed to all those who have placed their hopes in the things of this world and the kingdom of God, Jesus telling them you already have your consolation puts them in a condition of having RECEIVED everything they wanted to accomplish in this world, setting his sights on the material things of this world do not understand that true comfort is not in this world, nor in his riches but in the future and which is only possible if we become partakers find the kingdom of God.
The call of Jesus to all who hear (v.27) rich and poor to join and participate in the kingdom of God, loving our enemies, bless those who curse you, pray for those who slander us and be generous with all those in need without expecting anything in return, and thus your reward will be great and loved as sons of God who is kind to the ungrateful and wicked (v.35) only then can receive true comfort is eternal and that as children of received from the father our God.
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." (6:20)
ReplyDelete"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort." (6:24)
I think Jesus is talking more than just an economic wealth but also a different kind of wealth, True rich are spiritual, and how the kingdom of God turns the values of the world upside down. Like one of Jesus’ parables; the farmer who was so wealthy that he planned to build his new barns so that he would have enough room to store all his grain. He measured his wealth in properties, but for God, his life was "not rich toward God" (Luke 12:16-21). There are many peoples who worshiping money in Thailand, some think that their life is perfect when they have much money and money can give you everything. In the other hand, money makes people depressed and stressed and also make people to be a criminal. Is it true that financial wealth can fulfil us? Can money save us? No! I think this is the point of this message, the earthly wealth is opposite with Kingdom of God wealth; we rich in the spiritual wealth and it would store in the heaven not ground which the thief can stole or destroy. So often we value money higher than Jesus! So we must put our heart on Jesus not on the earthly wealth which could not last forever. In these Blessings and Woes, Jesus is challenging our money-based value system and calling it worthless and call us to give our focus all in him.
Answer 2:
ReplyDeleteOne of the original shows that I find of discipleship is found in chapter 12:22-34.
No doubt this teaching that Jesus gave his disciples is the result of a dispute between two brothers who are in conflict over an inheritance in which one asks Jesus to intervene between them.
After Jesus told them things like, look and beware of covetousness, because life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (12:15) and after having referred to a parable in which mentions, he does treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
This illustrates very well what they will say to his disciples in the passage above.
phrases like, do not worry about our life, what ye shall eat, nor to dress, and the call to consider the sky and the lilies of the field that neither toil nor spin, and as God provides everything they need, the more I consider my life is more valuable than them and have faith that God will supply all my needs (v 28) so Jesus repeats the expression: do not worry about your basic needs like food and drink, do not be worried (v 29)
Because all these things the Gentiles are concerned but our Father in heaven knows our needs (v 30).
The call of Jesus to all his disciples(v 30) SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED.
The disciple of Christ is concerned about seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and fully trust that God will answer the basic needs that each of us needs, so this has resulted in our life we must engage our hearts for where our there also will treasure our hearts (v 34).
The call of Jesus to his disciples is to seek first the KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND INVOLVE YOUR HEART ONLY GOD SO CONFIDENT ESTARS MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, THAT MEANS SHOW FAITH
I'll go against the prevailing opinion and say that Luke's intention here is to actually refer to the "poor" as an economic class and not as spiritual condition although ultimately it ties together. I think this is so because if we contrast Luke's approach to it and contrast it with Matthew's we see this difference:
ReplyDeleteMatthew - blessed are the poor in spirit
Luke - blessed are the poor
Matthew - blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
Luke - blessed are those who hunger now
I think there is a deliberate difference in the approach of the gospel writers. While Matthew refers to spiritual condition, the omission of the words "in spirit" and "for righteousness" for me says that Luke was not just talking about the spiritual but the actual physical reality of being economically poor. I think that Luke is deliberately calling out the upper classes in line with his theme of reversal.
This is not to say that when he says "woe to the rich" it means that if one is rich then that person is not going to be able to go to heaven. On this point, I agree with what O and Marcelo have pointed out that it is talking about earthly wealth vs. kingdom wealth and that the rich have put their hopes on the things of the earth. I still think however that it is fundamentally talking about the economic status of being rich but it is clearly coupled with the fact that the rich have a greater tendency to oppress and commit injustice, as David has said.
There are several passages that Jesus speaks about the discipleship from chp.6-19, how to be his disciple and what is like to be his disciple. 1. (Luke 6: 46-49, 8: 4-15; 19-21) The disciple of Christ are the one who listening and doing so, such as: In Thailand, there are many people who called themselves as a Buddhism but their live wasn’t expressed what Buddha had taught. Likewise if we are called ourselves as Jesus’s disciple, therefore we must live our lives according to his words “listen and doing” in the same time. 2. (Luke 8: 16-18) disciple of Christ must be in public not a secret disciple and will never reject him no matter what happen. We are the disciple of Christ not only in the church or Sunday morning but we are being a disciple everywhere and every time, even though we are persecuted by being the disciple of Christ. 3. (Luke 10: 38-41) we must put God in our mind before any things else like Marry did. Many times, I’m focus on God’s work and easily lost focus on God. I sometimes stress, complain, or forget to pray to the master, and more than that, I thought, this is my mission rather God’s mission. 4. (Luke 12: 22-34) we should seek God fist than anything else; what to eat, drink, wear, or future. Honestly, I always concern about my future, what I’m going to be or do, will I have enough money for my family, and etc. But God say “seek the Kingdom of God fist and he will provided the rest”, we can easily distracted by all the earthly things and we could lose from the disciple tract easily. 5. (Luke 12: 35-40) as we are the disciple of Christ, we must prepare ourselves and be ready all the time and always shining our light.
ReplyDeleteDisciples is the live on journey with Christ. We have to fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, who leading us on this journey. The live on journey can't really have much things with, like it say "we can't hiking and carrying with a lots of stuff" it would make harder for the journey and our heart would worried about the stuff and not focus. Likewise, if we want to be the disciple of Christ, we must live every thing that keep us apart from him, but seek him first, the kingdom of God. Therefore he will provided the rest and he will take care us as he did for Christ.
ReplyDeleteQUESTION 1
ReplyDelete"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" (6:20)
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation" (6:24)
The theme of reversal, blessing to the poor and woe to the rich. Jesus describes the character and the behavior of the kingdom of God. From Luke statement in 6:20 and 6:24 shows that God concerns about His people especially to those who are poor, oppressed and to those who have nothing. God will bless those people because they obey His command, they lived in the sake of others, so the kingdom of God will belong to them. But woe to those who are rich and already received the comfort. They lived their lives for themselves so God will destroys them.
QUESTION 2
ReplyDeleteJesus was always on the go. He traveled to preach the Kingdom of God. During His ministry of releasing, Jesus also teaches the disciples how to live life, how to do the ministry and the cost of being discipleship, because later on after Jesus ascended to heaven, disciples will continue to carry on the mission of bringing good news to the Jews and the Gentiles. Jesus mentioned in Lk.9:23-24“ If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For who ever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Jesus requires all of us to deny ourselves, to lose our lives for His sake. It is not one day task but life long journey. Being the true disciple is to hear God’s word and to live it out; to be the blessing to everyone, be gracious and extend mercy to others, be willing to ones who need help and be prepare for the opportunity that God will send to our ways to spread the good news.
I agree with O that being disciple is to live out the good news not only on Sunday but everyday and to first seek the kingdom of God and everything shall be added to us:)
ReplyDeleteI think the most stirring of Jesus' discipleship teachings on the road to Jerusalem is found in chapter 14. Here, Jesus presents the cost of discipleship in a very "shocking" manner. Jesus was speaking to a culture that holds family ties strongly. Yet Jesus presents the cost of discipleship as hating one's father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters (v. 25-26). Now I don't think Jesus was saying that we should hate our family. Contrary to that, God has always upheld the importance of family and love within the family. What Jesus was pointing out however that if push comes to shove and one has to choose, even if it means leaving one's family and cutting ties with them, we have to do it. Jesus is presenting the people and his disciples the harsh reality that some of them will have to make this choice.
ReplyDeleteTo us today, this passage may still mean the same thing. In a world where different cultures and religion are so common, some people will still have to make this choice once they decide to follow "the Way". This means that some will still have to cut ties with their family if remaining in a relationship with them means that they cannot come to Christ. This will be true with families that will prevent one to become a Christian or threaten that they will disown the person who wants to become a Christian.
Marcelo, O, Ethel and Gip:
ReplyDeleteI like the discussion going on and the different viewpoints being expressed. Ethel has some good things to say about the differences between Matthew's and Luke's account of the beatitudes. This difference relates to their different purposes (at least partly). If we read Luke's account through the lens of Matthew we will miss what Luke is saying or part of what he is saying. I am going to have to agree with ethel that I think that Luke means "poor" as an economic class and "rich" as an economic class. Remember that in that time poor/rich is more than simply how much money someone has or doesn't have. Usually "poor" also includes the status, powerlessness, exploitation and injustice endured by the poor at the hands of the rich. And "rich" includes the status, power, exploitive power and injustice inflicted on the poor by the rich. It may be difficult for us to hear Jesus saying this because we have been conditioned to think in "platonic" catagories of "spiritual" and "physical" instead of seeing all things relating to spiritual realities. Perhaps we should not see things as either spiritual or physical. Jesus is blessing the poor because they do not and cannot enjoy life as God meant for it to be enjoyed (including spiritual life, too) and the rich are to blame for a lot of it. Salvation is to be experienced in the here and now as well as continue into the future. Thanks. Keep the conversation going.
Marcelo, question 2:
ReplyDeleteYes, the teaching about not to worry but to trust and seek God first comes as a response to the dispute about inheritance that Luke places before the teaching. Luke wants us to know that life consists in putting our trust in God and seeking his rule in this world. Good response.
On a side note for you to consider (as well as your fellow students to consider). Notice that Luke's version of this part of the Sermon on the Mount has Jesus stating in v.31: "Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." Luke doesn't mention "and righteousness" as is found in Matthew (6:33). I want to teach you to "listen" to the context (which is Luke in this instance) and resist the training we've had in Bible reading that what it says in one place is what it means in another. This may be true but if we are not careful we will drown out certain inspired voices and always listen to the default voice. What I mean is that if we quote Matthew 6:33 here in Luke 12:31 we will have drowned out Luke's voice in order to hear matthew's. And that is not being fair to Luke. Luke may have something different to say or emphasizing something different. Pay attention to the text. Thanks.
O, question 2:
ReplyDeleteVery perceptive comments about traveling light as a disciple ("do not worry about..." in Lk.12:22ff) and not travelling "incognito" but instead travelling as a public disciple of Jesus. Being public may invite ridicule, misunderstanding and persecution but it's the only way to change the world. Secret disciples do not change the world, only public ones do. Thanks.
ethel, question 2:
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a shocking statement by Jesus. I agree that Jesus doesn't literally mean "hate" like we define the term. He is calling for a new family (fictive kinship) that will follow him and sometimes that may literally divide families. Thanks.
This seems like it might be Luke’s account on the sermon Matthew gives on chapters 5 -7, or it might be that Jesus gave similar sermons on different occasions. Some say that this was just not one sermon, but made up of different parts based on the customary teachings of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThese are called the “beatitudes,” from the Latin word that means “blessing.” This is a description of what it means to be a follower of Christ; this gives us the standards of conduct, contrasting kingdom values with worldly values, basically showing us what Christ’s followers can expect form the world and what God will give. Here it also shows Old Testament expectations are fulfilled in Gods kingdom.
(6:24) if all you want are worldly riches, if you’re trying to find fulfilment and meaning only through riches, that’s all you’ll get, wealth. And this wealth will not last. We shouldn’t look for just comfort for now at the expense of eternal life.
1. What does Jesus mean: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" (6:20) and "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation" (6:24)?
ReplyDeleteJesus warned his people because he knew that whenever the Jews had no problems in their lives, or no war between countries, or when they were rich they would be ignorant or get lost from God. They sometime turned away from God to worship their neighbors’ gods. But when they had problems in their lives, they cried out to God, asked God to help them. They would remember God’s promise that He will send the Savior to help them. When they were poor, God was the only one hope for them, they would long for the kingdom of God. So Jesus emphasized on their situations; when they are poor they will get comfort or blessing from God, but when they are rich woe will come to them.
2. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus speaks several times about discipleship. Discuss one of his teachings about discipleship and demonstrate how we are to follow Jesus (follow “the way”).
The parable of the tower builder (14:28-30) taught us to think carefully before we make decision to follow Jesus. When we read about Jesus calls Peter and Levi, it seems like they were follow Him easily. Exactly not, because they knew Jesus before, they were waiting for Messiah, they saw miracles of Jesus, they heard Jesus taught people with authority, John the Baptist recognized Jesus is the Lamb of God so when Jesus called them they left everything and followed Him immediately. We do not experience Jesus as same as the Jews at that time, but we know Jesus from reading the scripture, we see from the beginning to the end of His mission in this world. We also know what Jesus requires for to be His follower; love God with all our heart, put God for the first thing in our life, deny ourselves and follow Him, etc. we have to sit and think carefully that we really want to be His follower. The result of leaving out faith is not only laughing from people like in the parable, but it is more terrible than that.
QUESTION 2:
ReplyDeleteAlthough Jesus speaks of discipleship multiple times throughout the gospel of Luke, 9:57-62 makes it clear that being a disciple of Jesus is a full commitment. Verse 57 hints that discipleship is a journey and the next verse seems to inform us that this journey is non-stop work that requires our all. The following verses describe two men willing to follow Jesus but have to first take care of 'other matters'. This is just like today how people are willing to follow Jesus, yet aren't willing to part with certain things in their life that may actually prevent their full potential as a disciple. Jesus doesn't just ask us to follow him on our terms or whenever it is convenient for us, but rather giving him our ALL which does in fact involve sacrifices. Some of which may seem painful and difficult but he does promise us a reward that far out-weighs our problems we face right now. We are to follow Jesus to fulfill his desires, not follow Jesus to fulfill our own desires. This means following him RIGHT NOW not later!
QUESTION 1:
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Ethel about this one. I don't think Luke's intentions were to inform his readers that Jesus was talking about those 'poor in spirit' as in Matthew's account, but rather 'poor' in their economical status. Being poor back then pretty much meant you lived at the bottom of society and I'm sure everyday was a struggle to survive as the poor people of that culture did not have benefits of the poor people of my culture. This would mean that they were commonly looked down on and would be given hardly any respect as a human being. Life must have been depressing and hopeless as a poor person back then! This is why I think Jesus is referring to the physically poor to give them hope and a sense of feeling important and have a place in society. Even the following verses I think back up the physical sense as those that he is 'blessing' are in fact the 'bottom feeders' of that society. In turn when Jesus says "Woe to you who are rich" he is again talking about those possessing material riches. Not that possessing material riches in itself is bad, it is that way you handle it that determines if it is good or bad. So in this case I believe he's referring to those that are rich and are selfish with what they have. Hmmm I was going to say something else but my mind just went blank. Plus I feel like I'm writing a novel now so i better stop, haha. Don't want to write too much stuff now do I ;)
OH YEA I remember! "Blessed are those who are poor" and "Woe to you who are rich" also reflects Luke's theme of reversal like Gip mentioned earlier. Lifting up those who live life on the 'bottom' getting walked on by those who live in luxury and bringing down those who live in luxury to the bottom. God's kingdom is for everybody, for rich and poor but we need to be conscience of our blessings from God and share with those less fortunate (in materials) than us.
ReplyDeletePersonally, Jesus here is not making a condemnation for his social status. Jesus to the poor said that they are blessed and also that the rich has already his consolation. It's not about what you have because if it was, that would be in disagreement with God's salvation plan to all humanity. Jesus wants to save the rich and the poor. When Jesus talks about the poor and that theirs is the kingdom of God, Jesus knows what's happening in their lives, that they are suffering, that they are being rejected and etc... But when He said that theirs is the kingdom of God, I think it's because they are putting their trust in God and waiting in God. I think that they are worthy of being part of the kingdom of God since they depend on God because of their condition of poor. But it's different with the rich because they already have received their comfort, because they already have everything. So possibly they are trusting in themselves and not in God. Therefore the difference could be where the rich and the poor are putting their trust. If we trust in God we will be part of His kingdom but if you trust in what your riches, you have already received your comfort. The Kingdom of God is not for those who think like that.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2:
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that sticks out the most for me in the gospel of Luke, is that a lot of people is following Christ for different reasons. Some are listening to Jesus, and others are wanting to receive help from Jesus, and Jesus knows very well what's going on in their hearts. Jesus wants true disciples and when we get to chapter 9:23, But Jesus is expecting true disciples to do some things to follow Him. First the desire to be a disciple, second that you deny yourself, third that you take up your cross, and forth that you follow Him. In Luke the people are listening and are following Him, but Jesus wants something more, Jesus wants them to truly desire from their hearts to follow Him because they need Him. Also to deny yourself you need to understand that to follow Jesus we have to change and leave things behind, it's not my will anymore Jesus has the control to my life, I don't do what I want anymore, now I do what Jesus is asking me to do.
the cross represents death, so Jesus is expecting their disciples to take up the cross which means to follow Him is not for a short time but forever until we die. My old life is dead and now I start a new life with Jesus. He says: "if you're ready to do this then follow me and obey me" to listen to Him and to follow Him is easy but how many are willing to obey His commands. Jesus wants true disciples. Jesus them to follow, to love, and to obey Him for the rest of their lives.
1)Crikey I see everyone has written a novel, especially you Jacob:)
ReplyDeleteRegarding "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" 6:20 and "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation" 6:24 this may very well mean physically and spiritually, though in Lukes account I think this maybe meaning physically rich as he compares the rich to the poor- the poor rely on Christ (as students we can empathize:)and the rich rely on their own riches always treading on the poor!
2)Jesus demonstrates, and teaches many ways of how we are to follow him and about decipleship. One in particular for me is how Jesus constantly thought of others and not of self which we are to be like; doing things for the benefit of others living a selfless life. This is a part of taking up our cross daily, this is not part time job but full time and a lifeskill we must learn.
ReplyDeleteThis is easier said than done to carry out consistently but a practice we are to strive for! Praise the Lord Jesus is the way and His Grace sufficient :)
John, I'm sure Jesus taught these things in many contexts and at different times. So you are probably correct in this.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, it is not worth forfeiting life for momentary comfort.
Sam,
ReplyDeleteGood response to question 2. We have a more full picture of Jesus because we have the written word and yet often our faith is weaker than their faith. Thanks.
Jacob, well said on question 2. It is an "all" or "nothing" call to discipleship. The challenge is to walk on his terms and not ours. Sometimes we don't know exactly what his terms are but we walk by faith. thanks.
ReplyDeletePablo, you are probably right in your reponse to question 1. But in our need to read everything through one strand of scripture teaching about God's salvation we may miss out on a fuller or more complete understanding. Yes, having money in our pocket or not doesn't directly relate to salvation. But then again it's not the amount but how we are using what we have. I think salvation has a lot to do with how we use the resources God has given us. Salvation is by faith but our faith must be in God who lifts up the poor and brings down the rich. In other words our faith is in a God who is working to put the world to right which includes justice, dignity (since all people are created in God's image). thanks.
ReplyDeleteChristy,
ReplyDeleteI like novels (short ones). Yes, I tend to read "blessed are poor" and "woe to you who are rich" as rich and poor people but of course more than just how much money or lack of it is in your pocket. There is an underlying concern for justice, equity, dignity, etc that the catagories of "poor" and "rich" represent. It was rich against poor and poor against rich. In God' economy (a.k.a. kingdom) it is rich and poor are for each other and work together to create a just and equitable society. See Acts for how this was practiced in the early church (Acts 4, 6). thanks.
Mr Nelson, I like your first sentence in your response to Cristy's comment. I like (very) short novels too. Does blog have a "like" button like facebook? :)
ReplyDeleteI like the way Ethel compared between Luke (Physically poor) and Matthew (poor in spirit). It helps me see the differences between the two books. Very interesting! Thanks Ethel:)
ReplyDeleteAnd the the cost of being disciple, that ones have to put Jesus first. In Lk14:26 said " If any one come to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brother and sisters and even his own life he cannot be my disciple." Knowing that in that time their relationship with their family is everything. Jesus showed that if you are really going to follow me you have to put him first and know that Father in heaven will take care of them. Lk.9:24"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it."
Lk14:26 is a bit extreme to me. Though I don't get the whole picture but I'm trying my best to do what Jesus said in order to be His disciple. Also I like what Jacob said about to give all that we have to Jesus. It is required sacrifices and to follow Jesus is to fulfill his desires not our own desires. And the hope that He will reward to those who put Him first. Very good insight Jacob:)
Thank you John for encouraging us not to seek worldly wealth and to focus on what will last forever, which the eternal life in Jesus:)
ReplyDeleteQuestion one:
ReplyDeleteIn Luke’s account,tthose who were rewarded were the “poor,” “hungry,” and weeping, and those who would be hated, excluded, and reviled, and have their name cast out as wicked “for the sake of the Son of Man.” (Luke 6:20-23)
Instead of referring to the comfort those who “weep” or mourn would experience, Luke 6:21 says, “you will laugh.” This shows a reoccuring reversal, their weeping for the right reason would be transformed to rejoicing.
Luke 6:24-26 describes those who appear to be in a favorable situation but are not. The expression “woe,” (in my view) means in a now a days version “too bad for you” or “Thats what you get !”
Those who were then rich, their self centeredness as not being in need of anything, had all they would ever wanted. Their present state and the value they attached to it would be their only comfort. (Luke 6:24)
Those who then thought of themselves as filled would experience a reversal, becoming painfully aware of their emptiness. They would hunger. Possessing everything they valued as important and enjoying their status and belongings, they laughed then, when they had all of those worldly material. But when faced with the loss of everything, however, they would end up weeping and mourning. (Luke 6:25)
Question two:
Consider(Luke 14:10-11):
When you are invited to a party, occupy the lowest seat. Then when your host comes, he will say to you: ‘Friend, go higher up!’ It will be an honour to you in front of all those who are at table with you.
Jesus is trying to say that as a disciple we must place ourselves at the last, that a man's pride will bring him low, and before honour is humility. A theme of reversal. Which means Humility is required.
(Luke 14:25:34) Jesus adresses the crowd about discipleship. He wanted the crowd to know that Choosing to become a disciple of God’s Son demanded serious consideration. Jesus did not minimize the great cost that being his disciple involved. It could mean the loss of close family members, possessions, and even one’s own life. As Jesus expressed it, a person could not be his disciple unless he was willing to give up all his belongings. (Luke 14:33). Marks also uses salt as an example to emphasise the standards in discipleship. It comes out as its either your all in or your out. There’s no grey area.
Following Jesus is something that comes down to the small things. Its not just organising really huge events for his kingdom. As mentioned in Luke 14:10 discipleship requires Humility. We are to be the ones that serve. Have that servanthood heart and place yourself last. Dont just seek for your treasures here on earth. i.e Praise form people or material goods. But serve with humility giving God back the glory and fix your eyes on eternal treasures.
Aralai, I like how you put it: “too bad for you” or “Thats what you get!” I think you are right. Good response to questions. Discipleship is not an easy thing because the stakes are high.
ReplyDeleteGip, thanks for your comments.