Conclusion of Discipleship-How Serious?

Of course, Jesus is not saying that only for the crowds following him on the road. All who learn of Christ must be willing to do what he is saying here.  This means that they need to be ready to sacrifice everything they have-their belongings, even their life-if they are to be his disciples. That is something to think and pray about. 

Now Jesus brings up a matter that he touched on in his Sermon on the Mount when he said that his disciples are "the salt of the earth." (Matthew 5:13) He likely meant that even as literal as salt is a preservative, his disciples have a preserving effect on people, protecting them  from spiritual and moral decay.  Now, as his ministry draws to a close, he says:  "Salt, to be sure, is fine. But if the salt loses its strength, with what will it be seasoned?"  (Luke 14:34) His listeners know that some salt available then was impure, mixed with earthly matter and thus of little use.

So Jesus is showing that even those who have long been his disciples must not let their determination grow weak. IF that were to happen, they would become useless, like salt that has lost its strength. The world might then ridicule them. More than that they would be unfit before God, even bringing reproach  upon his name.  Jesus stresses the importance of avoiding that outcome, saying: "Let the one who has ears to listen, listen." - LUKE 14:35. 

Next time: Rejoicing Over the Sinner Who Repents

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