As we move closer to Easter we want to take a look at the journey Jesus took as he teaches, acts, and responds to questions that all prepare us as well as his disciples for the meaning behind the journey.

NOTES

Luke 13:31-35. 14:25-34

Luke 13 has threatening overtones. Pilate and Herod are both referenced in this chapter as having murderous intent and capacity. Jesus response is definitely not meek and mild. He commits to demonstrating a different kingdom coming (healing and deliverance) as he prepares for the final showdown in Jerusalem.

That sense of going to Jerusalem to die informs his teaching in Luke 14 of the cost of discipleship. That cost is framed in the language of ‘carry their cross’ v 27 and ‘’give up everything’ v33.

Our own journey of discipleship isn’t just a one off experience, but a considered life choice and lifestyle where we count the cost of commitment. Jesus words about ‘hating’ family members (v 26) are metaphors to demonstrate the overwhelming priority of God (it’s a how much more saying- even those we love, compared to the love of God it’s as if they were hated so much higher is our devotion to Him) as well as a non-emotional choice reminiscent of God’s election of Jacob -‘Jacob I loved, Esau I hated’.

The Journey is a narrow road of putting God first in all things, being ‘salty’ people, not losing our savour or backing off from our initial commitments whatever the cost.