1. What stood out to me from this chapter?
Jesus doesn't shy away from social settings, even where he might be the target of questioning and cynicism among those who could be perceived of as "enemies". In Luke 14 we find Jesus again eating at a Pharisee's house. He notices that people are "jockeying" for the most honorable seats in the house. So he advises them not to assume that you deserve the highest seat of honor, or you might be humiliated by being asked to move down. Rather, assume the lower seats, so that you might be honored by being asked to move up. While this is legitimately good social advice for anyone, it penetrates to deeper levels of the heart. It drives us to Jesus's other teachings about how the last shall be first, and how he came to serve others.
2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?
As I read this chapter a phrase from Scripture kept running through my mind, but I couldn't think of where it was from. After a little searching, I found it in Romans 12:3. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..." It appears in the context of how we are a part of the body of Christ, and each person has been given valuable gifts with which to serve others. So rather than assuming the higher positions of honor, we ought to humbly realize and bring out the value in others.
3. What does this mean for my life?
I was really struck by the words of Jesus in verses 12-14. He says we shouldn't do good deeds for others who will "repay" us with the same good deeds. Rather, we should really think about how to serve those who are not able to repay us, so that our reward can truly be repaid "at the resurrection of the righteous." I'm still wrestling with what that looks like in my life, but it really made me stop and ponder.
4. What questions do I have about this passage?
Why does Jesus use such strong language in describing what it costs to follow him? Does he really mean "hate" father and mother? I've always seen this as hyperbole (which is used by Jesus and others clearly in Scripture), where the meaning is something like, "Anyone whose family keeps them from following me should be willing to leave them for the sake of the gospel, even giving up their own life if that's where I lead you." Even my paraphrase seems strong, but I don't want to "water down" something if Jesus meant every bit of it. Hence the question. :)
Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!
In Christ,
Dan
image from http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02502/Cocktail-party-_2502341b.jpg
I enjoy reading your Daily Dig, Dan! It aids me to dig down a little deeper into the meaning of many things in general life. Also, fantastic portrayal of Dysmus! It not only kept our attention as adults but also our kids' attention. Those portrayals help us all feel the meaning of the Easter season. Thanks you & Blessings to you & your family~
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement. Things like reading these chapters and even doing those portrayals help me to understand a little more what the Bible is all about. Then, like you said, I can learn more about how God wants me to live and how he can even use a chump like me to do his will. :)
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