Pam Padgett ... teacher
When one of those eating with Jesus said that he that eats in
the kingdom of God is blessed, Jesus told a parable about many who were
invited to a great supper, but wouldn't come ...
Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with
him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat
bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man
made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper
time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now
ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first
said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and
see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought
five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Though invited to a great supper prepared for them, those who were first invited would not leave their own plans, works, and
way of life to partake of it. So others were
invited to take their places ...
Luke 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord
these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his
servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and
bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and
yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into
the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may
be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were
bidden shall taste of my supper.
Jesus taught about the cost of being His disciples. We must lay down our lives on this earth in order to follow Him, loving God and the word of God above all and submitting ourselves to His will ...
Luke 14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he
turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his
father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters,
yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever
doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first,
and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest
haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it,
all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to
build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war
against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he
be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with
twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he
sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise,
whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be
my disciple.
Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth
after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose
it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
As we lay down our life in order to follow the word of God we find our life, the way God has prepared for us. And that which God gives to us is far better, both in this world and in that
which is to come ...
Luke 18:28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed
thee. 29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man
that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for
the kingdom of God's sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in
this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.