Salt Life vs His Life

We are in Luke 14:34. Good salt is effective salt. It has properties which accomplish its intended purpose. . There is a great book called The History of Salt that traces the role salt has played in the history of the world. It is considerable and very interesting. So what would cause salt to lose its saltiness or to become tasteless? The word for tasteless in the text is moranio. Do you see "moron" in this word? It means to make insipid, to make to become a simpleton, become a fool, make foolish, and to lose savor. It is a change in quality and effectiveness.

 

Salt is a very stable compound of the elements sodium and chlorine. They share an electron, and seem to have a very happy marriage bond. Salt exists in crystal form meaning the grains stick together providing more effectiveness and saltiness. But when the salt is put into water the crystals tend to separate, and the individual crystals become diluted. So it is dilution that would cause the salt to lose its saltiness or taste.

 

In Jesus' context here salt stands for the discipleship bond. Just as sodium and chlorine bond to form salt (or individual salt grains bond to other salt grains to form a crystal), the disciple and Jesus bond to form a healthy, effective relationship which accomplishes the purposes of discipleship. The bond is very stable but when diluted by 1) stronger relationships, even family (14:26); 2) even by one's own self-preservation (14:26); by putting our cross down and failing to follow Jesus (14:27); or 4) allowing possessions to distract us, it loses its saltiness. So if we categorize these four we have dilution by 1) Earthly relationships; 2) Self-preservation; 3) Trackless living; 4) Distractions. These four cause tasteless living. People who encounter Christians diluted by these things will be impressed by the salt of Jesus. They taste Jesus through us. Maintaining taste is essential to living an effective Christian life.

Rethinking An Ilustration

This is from Luke 14:31-32. Jesus gives an illustration of a king over 10,000 men going to battle against a king with 20,000 men. What does the first king do before he sets out into the fray? 1) He sits down; 2) takes counsel; 3) then he either fights or sends a delegation asking for terms of peace. Rushing into a battle you cannot win is foolish, even suicidal. Or is it brave to believe you can overcome the odds-we do celebrate this daily.

 

So is Jesus suggesting the smaller army should go into battle bravely and fight harder than the other king and his larger army? There are many stories in the Bible where this kind of action was supported by God, e.g. David and Goliath and Gideon's army come to mind. Or is Jesus suggesting that we play it safe and ask for a peace treaty? Maybe He is not suggesting either option but merely suggesting that before you make a big decision like taking a 10,000 man army up against a 20,000 man army you should first sit down, get counsel, and decide if you can finish the fight once you start it. Maybe Jesus is suggesting that the smaller army must decide if they are prepared to die for what they are fighting for.

 

I have always thought Jesus was saying they should not fight and make a truce. But, now I am not so sure. He could be saying the opposite. Remember this section is about starting and fishing the job you begin. But, for us Christians today, don't the odds seem against us in this life-the challenges are great! And we should soberly consider the nature of the battle and how difficult it will be, but we should not shrink back in the day of battle. We are overcomers, not quitters, and greater is the one in us than in the world. We have a strength and power they do not have. In spiritual reality the 10,000 man army is greater than the 20,000 man army, If the 20,000 man army is led by Satan we must not seek terms of peace with him. We must fight even when it seems we are outnumbered. Think about it.

Bearing a Cross

 The Text is Luke 14:27. So what does bear a cross mean? Pick it up and walk. We get it from one place to another so that an execution can take place, ours. You don't carry it to show off or to parade or to impress or to demonstrate. You carry it to die. A cross had one purpose, i.e. to kill people. By following Jesus who ended up on Golgotha so we end up there. It is our destiny to die-to be consumed by death-death is swallowed up in victory. But we must walk the Via Delorosa. It starts by picking it up, touching that vile instrument of suffering and pain. Why would you? What would make anyone shoulder it? But, He had to-why would we? Do we have to? Perhaps if we do, we have to. No one would unless they had to-I must! But it is heavy and I am not sure I can carry it all the way. What if I stumble? He did. What if I need help? He did. There is no shame. There is only victory in death-death to self. But, people will stare and some might rejoice to see my death, and others might feel sorry for me. What am I to do? Trudge on. Finish. Climb. Get up. Drag it. Push it. Pull it. Do what you have to do to follow Him. Shed blood. Drop sweat. Cry. But, don't stop. There is victory in death. There is resurrection and eternal life on the other side. Rest will come, renewal of strength will be given. But for now-Bear it. This is discipleship. This is our school. This is learning. This is following Him. No turning back. I have decided.