Luke 14 - Consider The Cost of Discipleship

In today’s episode, we unpack Luke 14—a chapter that presses into pride, humility, generosity, and what it really costs to follow Jesus. This isn’t just another parable-filled passage; it’s a call to examine who we honor, how we give, and whether we’re ready to surrender everything for the sake of God’s kingdom. 

As Jesus moves closer to Jerusalem and the cross, His teachings become sharper, more direct, and deeply personal. Whether it’s where you sit at a banquet or how you respond to an invitation, every detail is full of eternal meaning. 

Healing on the Sabbath: Mercy Over Rules
Jesus heals a man with dropsy in front of the Pharisees. Their silence speaks volumes. While they try to trap Him with legalism, Jesus exposes the cruelty of choosing ritual over compassion. The question is clear: when someone’s suffering, what comes first—rules or love? 

Taking the Low Seat: A Lesson in Humility
At a wedding feast, Jesus tells guests to sit in the lowest place. Why? Because true honor isn’t self-assigned—it’s given by the host. In God’s kingdom, humility isn’t weakness. It’s the very posture that opens the door to being lifted up by God Himself. 

Who’s at Your Table?
Jesus challenges the practice of inviting only friends or people who can return the favor. Instead, He says, invite the poor, the lame, and the blind—those who can’t pay you back. It’s a call to radical generosity that seeks nothing in return but reflects God’s own heart. 

The Great Banquet: Excuses and Invitations
A powerful parable reveals how many turn down God’s invitation because they’re too busy with their own lives. So the master sends his servants to invite everyone they can find—especially those who’ve been ignored. There’s always room at God’s table, but we must choose to show up. 

The Cost of Discipleship
Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat it. To follow Him means to put Him above everything—family, comfort, possessions, even your own life. It’s not a side commitment; it’s the whole thing. He uses real-life examples—a builder counting the cost, a king planning for war—to show the seriousness of the call. 

Losing Our Saltiness
Jesus ends with a warning: salt that loses its flavor is worthless. It’s a striking image of what happens when our faith gets watered down by distraction or compromise. We’re called to live lives that are vibrant, distinct, and full of spiritual potency. 

Takeaways
Luke 14 calls us to live with purpose and conviction. It’s not just about believing—it’s about reordering our lives around Christ. Humility over pride. Giving without expecting. Showing up when invited. And above all, putting Jesus first—even when it costs everything. 

The invitation is open, but not everyone accepts it. We each have to choose: will we respond to God’s call, or will we let excuses win? The table is set. The door is open. There’s still room. Come. 

http://thebibleinsmallsteps.com/luke-14-putting-god-first/


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