Pam Padgett ... teacher
While at the home of a chief Pharisee, Jesus
taught about laying aside our lives on this earth ... forsaking all ... that we may be His disciples. A disciple is a learner, a follower. When we learn from and follow Jesus, the Word, we obey and are conformed to the Word of
God.
Our flesh seeks to be held in high esteem among men. But Jesus taught us to
humble ourselves rather than trying to exalt ourselves before others
....
Luke 14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden,
when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8
When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the
highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9
And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place;
and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art
bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee
cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou
have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For
whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself
shall be exalted.
Rather than trying to gain reputation, repayment or reward among men, we do those things
that are right in the sight of God, and trust God to repay us ...
Luke 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou
makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren,
neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee
again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast,
call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be
blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed
at the resurrection of the just.
Things of this world sometimes seem important, but really aren't. Nothing of this world is more important than doing what God calls us to
do, laying aside what would keep us from hearing and obeying what God
speaks to us by the Holy Spirit, that we may enter into that which God has prepared for us ...
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.
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.
And no relationships or our own life on
this earth are more important than our relationship with God and obeying
His Word ...
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.
In order to serve God by obeying His Word, we have to be willing to lay down our lives in this world ... glory
among men, rewards from men, fleshly pursuits, relationships ... as we look to the promises of eternal life and those things God has prepared for those who love HIM ...
Luke 14:28
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.