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Luke Chapter
Fourteen
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Teachings and Warnings of the Son of Man
the Savior
I. Concerning the rest again (v.1-6).
II. Concerning the attendance in the
A. The
humble ones are exalted (v.7-11).
B. Do
not invite those who are rich in this life (v.12-14).
C. We
partake in the feast of the
III. Concerning the price of the Lord’s disciples:
A.
Love the Lord more than everything (v.25-26).
B.
Bear one’s cross and come after the Lord (v.27).
C. The
parables of building a tower and making war------one has to count the cost
first (v.28-33).
D. The
parable of the salt that has lost its flavor------the miserable ending of one
who gives up halfway (v.34-35).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Luke. 14:1 “Now it happened
as He
went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the
Sabbath
that they watched Him closely.”
YLT: “And it came to
pass
on his going into the house of a certain one of the chiefs of the
Pharisees
on a sabbath
to eat bread
that they were watching him
”
Meaning of Words: “watched closely”:
inspect alongside
watch carefully.
The
Background: “eat bread on the
Sabbath” Men cannot work on the Sabbath and therefore the meal should have been
prepared the previous day.
Literal Meaning: “that they watched
Him closely.” It indicated that they
with ill intentions
wanted to find
something to accuse the Lord (See Mark. 3:2).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Pharisees invited the Lord to eat bread in
order to watch Him closely. The world always hides ill intentions behind the
friendly appearance (See Ps. 41:9).
2) The Lord was fully aware that the Pharisees
invited Him to eat bread again and again (See 7:36; 11:37-38) with malicious
intentions. However
He was not cowardly at all and faced it calmly. On one
hand
it shows that He does not escape the reality and on the other
it
displays that He is able to seize every chance of working and He takes the
initiative to sally against the enemy.
Luke. 14:2 “And behold
there was a
certain man before Him who had dropsy.”
YLT: “and lo
there was a
certain dropsical man before him;”
Literal Meaning: “who had dropsy”
“dropsy” indicates the internal swelling and dropsy
showing that some internal
organs of this man (such as the liver
the pancreas and etc) were ill. In the
Greek the word is the medical term and it is only used here in the New
Testament.
Spiritual Meaning: “had dropsy” It symbolizes
that the swelling of one’s heart and he is arrogant and supercilious. This one
who had dropsy just typifies the lawyers and the Pharisees (v.3).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Those who think that they know the Bible very
well and actually they only know the superficial knowledge and do not know the
quintessence of the Bible
as he lawyers and the Pharisees
do have the dropsy
of heart.
2) If a man has dropsy
he is able to be aware of
his illness. However
it is difficult for the one who has the dropsy of heart
to know it.
Luke. 14:3 “And Jesus
answering
spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees
saying
‘Is
it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’”
YLT: “and Jesus answering
spake to the lawyers and Pharisees
saying
`Is it lawful on the sabbath-day to
heal?’”
Meaning of Words: “heal”: wait upon
menially
warm.
The
Background: according to the
teachings of the Jewish rabbis
unless men were dying
men could not “heal men
on the Sabbath” because they thought that healing was against the regulation that
one could not work on the Sabbath.
Literal Meaning: “to heal on the
Sabbath” It is the fifth time in this book to record that the Lord Jesus did
wonders on the Sabbath (See 4:31
38; 6:6; 13:14).
“Is it lawful?” The Lord Jesus has
already detected their bad intentions and He pre-empted to ask this question on
purpose.
Luke. 14:4 “But they kept silent. And
He took him and healed him
and let him go.”
YLT: “and they were
silent
and having taken hold of [him]
he healed him
and let [him] go;”
Literal Meaning: “they kept silent.”
Though they kept silent
it did not indicate that they were aware of their
wrongness. They took an attitude to look on it coldly.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Many people “keep silent” and it does not mean
that they admit their defeat. When believers preach the glad tidings
they
should never think that they could make him be saved as long as they win the
argument. Because many people pretend to be convinced.
2) Though the suitable speech is needed to preach
the glad tidings (See Col. 4:3-4)
the most important thing is to manifest the
power of life as the Lord Jesus------“healed him”.
Luke. 14:5 “Then He answered them
saying
‘Which of you
having a
donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit
will not immediately pull him out
on the Sabbath day?’”
YLT: “and answering them
he said
`Of which of you shall an ass or ox fall into a pit
and he will not
immediately draw it up on the sabbath-day?’”
The
Background: the law of the
Sabbath is set up both for men and cattle (See Deut. 5:14). “Donkey” is “son”
in the hand-written copy. The son represents human beings and an ox represents
cattle. It is allowed by the Law of Moses to pull a man or an ox out of a pit
on the Sabbath day. However
it is condemned by the traditions of rabbis (men’s
additional explanations to the Law) to heal on the Sabbath.
Literal Meaning: the question of the
Lord Jesus discloses the weak points of the Pharisees: 1) they care about the
safety of cattle more than that of men; 2) they are hypocritical and they take
different attitudes towards different people: they are strict with others and
lenient towards themselves.
Luke. 14:6 “And they could not answer
Him regarding these things.”
YLT: “and they were not
able to answer him again unto these things.”
Literal Meaning: they have nothing to
say in reply because their attitude towards the Sabbath is against both the
will of God and the nature of men.
Luke. 14:7 “So He told a parable to
those who were invited
when He noted how they chose the best places
saying to
them:”
YLT: “And he spake a
simile unto those called
marking how they were choosing out the first couches
saying unto them
”
Literal Meaning: “they chose the best
places” “the best places” indicate the most important places that are commonly
kept for those with the highest positions.
Spiritual Meaning: “He noted how they
chose the best places” “Choosing the best places” means being supercilious
showing that they are arrogant and they have the swelling of heart------dropsy
(See v.2).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The greatest temptation of the leaders of the
assembly is from their inner hearts------they like to be held high by men and
show off their importance among people.
2) Those who care about their titles and positions
in the assembly could not serve the Lord well.
3) Religious believers like to show off themselves.
They give alms
bear witness
serve
preach
write books and do other spiritual
good works. However
probably the motives of many are for the vain glory.
Luke. 14:8 “‘When
you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast
do not sit down in the best
place
lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;”
YLT: “`When thou mayest
be called by any one to marriage-feasts
thou mayest not recline on the first
couch
lest a more honourable than thou may have been called by him
Literal Meaning: the Lord Jesus
taught men to humble themselves and learn to hide themselves by the parable.
Enlightenment in the Word: Believers should not covet the vain glory and
should in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (Pill.
2:3).
Luke. 14:9 “and he who invited you
and him come and say to you
‘Give place to this man
'
and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.”
YLT: “and he who did call
thee and him having come shall say to thee
Give to this one place
and then
thou mayest begin with shame to occupy the last place.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God resists the proud (James. 4:6; 1Pet. 5:5).
Whoever is arrogant will be humiliated sooner or later and descended into the
lowest.
2) One should not think of himself more highly than
he ought to think
but to think soberly
as God has dealt to each one a measure
of faith (Rom. 12:3).
Luke. 14:10 “But when you are invited
go and sit down in the lowest place
so that when he who invited you comes he
may say to you
‘Friend
go up higher.' Then
you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.”
YLT: “`But
when thou
mayest be called
having gone on
recline in the last place
that when he who
called thee may come
he may say to thee
Friend
come up higher; then thou
shalt have glory before those reclining with thee;”
Literal Meaning: the Lord Jesus does
not teach us to pretend to be humble and wait to be held high by others. He
teaches us not to clear up for ourselves and be at ease and let it be
manifested by the environment of God’s arrangement.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) In the assembly believers should let each esteem
others better than himself (Pill. 2:3). God gives grace to the humble (James.
4:6; 1Pet. 5:5) and He exalts the lowly (See 1:52).
2) The base things of the world and the things
which are despised God has chosen
and the things which are not
to bring to
nothing the things that are
that no flesh should glory in His presence (1Cor.
1:28-29).
3) Those who are truly humble and think that they
are unworthy really empty themselves and are ready to be filled by God’s
abundant grace. God’s fullness and glory will be manifested in this kind of
men.
Luke. 14:11 “For whoever exalts
himself will be humbled
and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’”
YLT: “because every one
who is exalting himself shall be humbled
and he who is humbling himself shall
be exalted.’”
Literal Meaning: “he who humbles
himself will be exalted” “Humble himself” indicates the modest attitude and it
does not mean the self-abasement of one’s personality.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus
being equal with God
humbled
Himself and came in the likeness of men (Pill. 2:6-7). However
the devil
the
angel that is created by God
exalts itself to be equal with God (See Is.
14:12-14). Therefore humbleness is the disposition of the Lord Jesus and
arrogance is the nature of the devil. Believers should hate to exalt themselves
in everything and humble themselves to let the life of the Lord Jesus be
manifested through them.
2) “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.” It is
the track of the fall of Satan; “who humbles himself will be exalted.” It is
the way of Christ to gain glory.
3) The more one has been dealt with by cross
the
more glory will he have. Conversely
the more natural part one has
the more
will he be despised.
Luke. 14:12 “Then He also said to him
who invited Him
‘When you give a dinner or a
supper
do not ask your friends
your brothers
your relatives
nor rich
neighbors
lest they also invite you back
and you be repaid.”
YLT: “And he said also to
him who did call him
`When thou mayest make a dinner or a supper
be not
calling thy friends
nor thy brethren
nor thy kindred
nor rich neighbours
lest they may also call thee again
and a recompense may come to thee;”
Literal Meaning: “your friends
your
brothers
your relatives
nor rich neighbors” They indicate those who are
affordable to give a return banquet and repay them.
Controversial Clarification: believers are not forbidden by the Lord to invite
our friends
our brothers
our relatives nor rich neighbors in order to improve
the interpersonal relationship (especially for their profits). He warns us not
to do so with the aim of the exchange of interests (i.e. for our own profits).
Luke. 14:13 “But when you give a
feast
invite the poor
the maimed
the lame
the blind.”
YLT: “but when thou
mayest make a feast
be calling poor
maimed
lame
blind
”
Literal Meaning: “the poor
the
maimed
the lame
the blind” are those who are not affordable to give a return
banquet and repay them.
Spiritual Meaning: “the poor
the
maimed
the lame
the blind” please see the spiritual meaning in v.21. Giving a
feast and inviting them mean to sympathize with others in their weakness and
helplessness. On one hand they share the pain with them and on the other they
give joy to them.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers should help the weak and the poor.
They should also remember the words of the Lord Jesus
how He said
“It is more
blessed to give than to receive” (Acts. 20:35).
2) Actually it is our God that “invites the poor
the maimed
the lame
the blind” (See v.21) and only He Himself could do this.
Here the Lord teaches us that we should let this mind be in us which was also
in Christ Jesus (Pill. 2:5).
3) Those who do not care about the bitterness of
others will be condemned because judgment is without mercy to the one who has
shown no mercy and mercy triumphs over judgment (See James. 2:13).
4) Only through the behaviors of loving others
could men comprehend the meaning of loving God. The reward of the
Luke. 14:14 “And you will be blessed
because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of
the just.’”
YLT: “and happy thou
shalt be
because they have not to recompense thee
for it shall be recompensed
to thee in the rising again of the righteous.’”
Literal Meaning: “at the resurrection
of the just” “the just” indicates those who have been justified by God because
they have received the salvation of Christ.
There shall be a resurrection of all
(See Acts. 24:15). However
the resurrection of the just and that of the common
people are different. The former shall resurrect and gain reward and the latter
shall resurrect and be punished (See Dan. 12:2; John. 5:28-29). “At the
resurrection of the just” indicates the time when the Lord comes back (See
1Thess. 4:16) and God rewards the Saints (See Rev. 11:18).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Whoever walks with the aim of others’ repayment
shall not be rewarded by God (See Matt. 6:1-3). Those who seek the pleasure of
soul shall not gain the joy of the spirit again.
2) When believers do something
we should not hope
to gain both the earthly and heavenly repayment. Therefore we should walk only
with the aim of the heavenly reward.
Luke. 14:15 “Now when one of those who
sat at the table with Him heard these things
he said to Him
‘Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the
YLT: “And one of those
reclining with him
having heard these things
said to him
`Happy [is] he who
shall eat bread in the reign of God;’”
Literal Meaning: “when one of those
who sat at the table with Him heard these things” “These things” indicates the
words of the Lord Jesus that “you
shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (See v.14).
“Eating bread in the
“Blessed” is the answer to the
words of the Lord Jesus that “you
will be blessed” (v.14).
Spiritual Meaning: “eat bread in the
Luke. 14:16 “Then He said to him
‘A certain man gave a great supper and invited many
”
YLT: “and he said to him
`A certain man made a great supper
and called many
”
Spiritual Meaning: “A certain man gave
a great supper” “A certain man” indicates God the Father. “A great supper”
indicates the supper of salvation of God instead of the wedding feast of Christ
(See Matt. 22:2-14). Men could enjoy the supper of salvation today (in this
age) and they shall wait and enjoy the wedding feast of Christ in future (in
the coming).
“And invited many” Before Christ came
into the world
God had predicted His coming to the Jews through prophets and
had invited them in advance.
Enlightenment in the Word: How willing God is to let the world enjoy the
salvation that He had prepared (“gave…supper”). Believers should also spread
the glad tidings in the bowel of God so that more people could receive the joy
of salvation.
Luke. 14:17 “and sent his servant at
supper time to say to those who were invited
‘Come
for all things are now ready.'”
YLT: “and he sent his
servant at the hour of the supper to say to those having been called
Be
coming
because now are all things ready.”
The
Background: “and sent his
servant to say to those who were invited” According to the custom of the Jews
the master sent out invitations to guests first and when the supper was ready
he would send the servants again to give the final invitation.
Spiritual Meaning: “at supper time” It
typifies the time when the Lord Jesus has finished the redemption of the cross.
“Sent his servants to say to those who
were invited” “Servants” here indicate the first group of servants who were
sent out by God in the dispensation of the New Testament
i.e. the disciples of
the Lord and John the Baptist. They have been sent out to the Jews to declare
the glad tidings (See Acts. 1:8; 2:1
12).
“Come
for all things are now ready.” It
typifies that the Lord Jesus had finished the great work of redemption on the
cross and made the preparation of grace and He waited for men to receive and
enjoy it. “All things” include every spiritual blessing in heaven that God has
prepared in Christ (See Eph. 1:3).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “All things are now ready.” It indicates that
God has done what He should do on His side and He waits for our reactions on
men’s side; God’s salvation is two-sided and both parts are indispensable.
2) Men have to receive with the hand of “faith”
(See John. 3:16) what God has prepared with the hand of “love” (See John.
3:16); only when the two hands are joined together will the salvation of God be
made perfect.
3) “All things are now ready.” It shows that God
has already done everything for us. The beginning of Christians’ life is not to
do something for God but to enjoy what God has done for us.
Luke. 14:18 “But they all with one
accord began to make excuses. The first said to him
‘I
have bought a piece of ground
and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me
excused.'”
YLT: “`And they began
with one consent all to excuse themselves: The first said to him
A field I
bought
and I have need to go forth and see it; I beg of thee
have me
excused.”
Literal Meaning: “I have bought a piece of
ground
and I must go and see it.”
Nobody would buy a piece of ground before he has not seen it and therefore this
statement does not make sense.
Spiritual Meaning: “But they all with one
accord began to make excuses.” It typifies that
the majority of the Jews rejected the salvation of the Lord Jesus. In the
dispensation of the New Testament
God primly called the children of
“I have bought a piece of ground
and I
must go and see it.” It symbolizes that
he regards the desire for material things as more important than the invitation
of grace.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Whether one could partake in the supper is fully
decided by the “willingness” of men who have been invited. We should pray to
the Lord for the heart of “willingness” because it is the precondition to enjoy
the spiritual abundance.
2) Earthly materials and treasure (“I have bought a piece of
ground
and I must go and see it”)
always become the greatest obstacle for men to seek heavenly things.
Luke. 14:19 “And another said
‘I have bought five yoke of oxen
and I am going to test
them. I ask you to have me excused.'”
YLT: “`And another said
Five yoke of oxen I bought
and I go on to prove them; I beg of thee
have me
excused:”
Literal Meaning: “I have bought five yoke of
oxen
and I am going to test them.”
Actually nobody pays the money if he has not tested the oxen.
Spiritual Meaning: “I have bought five yoke of
oxen
and I am going to test them.”
It symbolizes that they pay more attention to work
career and business than
God’s calling.
Enlightenment in the Word: Believer’ workaholic towards worldly works is more
than their pursuit of the spiritual things.
Luke. 14:20 “Still another said
‘I have married a wife
and therefore I cannot come.'”
YLT: “and another said
A
wife I married
and because of this I am not able to come.”
Spiritual Meaning: “I have married a
wife
and therefore I cannot come.” It symbolizes that the entanglement of
family and the opposition of relatives always hinder men from receiving the
invitation of the glad tidings.
Enlightenment in the Word: the fleshly satisfaction is in contrast to the
spiritual satisfaction. If men value the relationship of men
they will always
relatively underestimate the relationship of God.
Luke. 14:21 “So that servant came and
reported these things to his master. 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 here the poor and the maimed and
the lame and the blind.'”
YLT: “`And that servant
having come
told to his lord these things
then the master of the house
having been angry
said to his servant
Go forth quickly to the broad places
and lanes of the city
and the poor
and maimed
and lame
and blind
bring in
hither.”
Meaning of Words: “streets”: square
broadways; “lanes”: bystreet
alley.
Literal Meaning: “into the streets
and lanes of the city” indicates the places where the common people reside.
Spiritual Meaning: “bring in here the
poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind” They indicate those who feel
that they are in need:
1. “The poor” indicate those who feel that they are
empty and unsatisfied in the spirit.
2. “The maimed” indicate those who are unable to do
good works that they want very much to do.
3. “The blind” indicate those who feel that the
future is in darkness and do not know what to do.
4. “The lame” indicate those who feel that they are
unable to walk on the long journey of life.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Those who are despised by the society and are
lost in difficulties are the easiest ones to receive the glad tidings.
2) If men truly know their shortness and no longer
hope in the earthly things
they will turn their eyes to the Savior and the
salvation that God has prepared.
Luke. 14:22 “And the servant said
‘Master
it is done as you commanded
and still there is
room.'”
YLT: “`And the servant
said
Sir
it hath been done as thou didst command
and still there is room.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) In the plan of God’s redemption
He has kept
innumerable seats for men. In the past two thousand years
though there are
thousands upon thousands men having been saved
“still there is room”.
2) Believers should show consideration for God’s
heart that “He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come
to repentance” (2Pet. 3:9) and try their best to preach the glad tidings and
make men be saved.
Luke. 14:23 “Then the master said to
the servant
‘Go out into the highways
and hedges
and compel them to come in
that my house may be filled.”
YLT: “`And the lord said
unto the servant
Go forth to the ways and hedges
and constrain to come in
that my house may be filled;”
Literal Meaning: “compel them to come
in” “compel” does not indicate to conquer violently but to try one’s best to
persuade.
Spiritual Meaning: “Go out into the highways
and hedges” “the highways and
hedges” indicate the outside part of the city and they typify the places where
the Gentiles reside. Because the Jews rejected God’s calling of grace
God has
to turn to the Gentiles (See Acts. 13:46;
“That my house may be filled.” It
typifies to fulfill the fullness of the Gentiles who have been predestinated in
God’s plan of redemption (Rom. 11:25).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We
the Gentiles
were strangers and “walked in
the highways and hedges” and followed all the people to perish
however
we have
been granted the grace.
2) We were “the poor and the maimed and the lame
and the blind” (See v.21)
however
we become the guests of God now. How fortune we are! How greatly we
have been exalted by God!
3) “Compel them to come in.” It shows that our being
saved is not of our initiative pursuit but God’s “compelling” of grace.
4) “Compel them to come in.” It shows that as long
as men are willing to come in
they could enjoy the salvation. The salvation is
not through deeds but grace (See Eph. 2:8-9). Therefore our past misdeeds have
been forgiven and no matter we were bad or good in the past
we are able to
receive grace.
5) It
shows that the principle of salvation fully exceeds men’s states------anyone is
able to receive the grace------mercy was shown to the chief of sinners (See
1Tim. 1:15-16).
Luke. 14:24 “For I say to you that
none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”
YLT: “for I say to you
that none of those men who have been called shall taste of my supper.’”
Literal Meaning: “those men who were
invited” indicate those who have rejected the invitation (See v.17-18).
Spiritual Meaning: “none of those…shall
taste my supper” It does not indicate that all the Jews could not partake in
the salvation of the New Testament. It warns that if those who are impervious
to reason reject God’s invitation
they will be rejected by God consequently.
Luke. 14:25 “Now great multitudes went
with Him. And He turned and said to them
”
YLT: “And there were
going on with him great multitudes
and having turned
he said unto them
”
Literal Meaning: “now great
multitudes went with Him” Though there are “great multitudes” going with Him
a
few are the true followers of the Lord. it is the background of the following
words of the Lord.
Enlightenment in the Word: in the past two thousand years
there are “great
multitudes” who call themselves Christians and go with the Lord Jesus
however
how many are there who have undergone tests and are worthy of the Lord’s
disciples (v.26-27
33) on earth?
Luke. 14:26 “‘If
anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother
wife and children
brothers and sisters
yes
and his own life also
he cannot be My disciple.”
YLT: “`If any one doth
come unto me
and doth not hate his own father
and mother
and wife
and
children
and brothers
and sisters
and yet even his own life
he is not able
to be my disciple;”
Meaning of Words: “hate”: dislike
detest.
Literal Meaning: “if anyone comes to
Me” It means to receive God’s invitation and come to the supper of salvation
(See v.16).
“And does not hate his father and
mother” “Hate” in the original is the vivid wording of exaggeration. It shows
that the existence of one’s family members and himself is not allowed to become
his obstacle and shackle to follow the Lord. The Lord does not ask us to hate
men indeed. He asks us to free ourselves from the worldly shackles in order to
follow Him.
The words that describe men’s feelings
are relative. Compared with the absolute and perfect “love” that men should have
towards the Lord Jesus
men’s favor towards their lineal family members could
only be accounted as “hate”. “Hating” one’s family members and his soul
indicates to dedicate everything of him and himself to Christ completely.
“He cannot be My disciples.” “Cannot”
shows that there is not the intermediate zone for men. “Disciples” indicate
those who follow the Lord and receive the Lord’s strict training and
discipline.
Controversial Clarification: the Lord here does not mean that we should
not love our father and mother and sons and daughters. He means that the order
of our love should be adjusted------we should let Him have the first place in
all things (Col. 1:18). For example: when parents who are unbelievers use the
renunciation of parenthood to threaten us to give up faith
if we give way in
this
we do love father and mother more than the Lord.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Those who give the first place to their parents
and the second place to the Lord cannot be the Lord’s disciples. A disciple should
not depart out of the way of fully obeying the Lord because of his concern for
his family.
2) Everything that occupies the place that God
deserves in our hearts
even father and mother and wife and children
could
make us be unworthy of the Lord’s disciples.
3) If believers truly put their father and mother
and wife and children in the hand of God and are willing to obey God even if He
asks them to hate them (See Matt. 10:35-36)
we will see that actually God asks
believers to love them and He will elevate their love to the divine love.
4) A common man is unable to not love his family
members all over the world and no one does not love himself. However
the Lord
asks us to lay this love down. This is a very strict requirement and if men do
not have the absolute hearts towards the Lord
they cannot meet this
requirement.
5) Men are so close to each other that they could
not feel the preciousness of drawing near to God. Too much satisfaction from
men may eclipse the preciousness of the Lord.
6) When someone loves the Lord so much that even
hurts himself
he will receive the true joy. If someone has not received the
joy
he has not hurt himself for loving the Lord.
7) We should not only love our family members less
than the Lord
but also hate our souls. If we are willing to meet this
requirement
we should not live in self-centredness and we should live a life
centering on Christ.
8) The Lord asks us to give everything to Him. The
Lord asks us to love Him completely instead of partially.
9) The Lord is qualified to be loved and served by
men completely and unconditionally. If we think that He is unworthy of this
He
will assuredly hold that we are unworthy of Him because we were unworthy to
receive the salvation.
10) Earthly feelings should be dealt with and then
one could have normal relation with the Lord.
Luke. 14:27 “And whoever does not bear
his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
YLT: “and whoever doth
not bear his cross
and come after me
is not able to be my disciple.”
Literal Meaning: “And whoever does
not bear his cross and come after Me” The Cross has the dual meaning and aim:
1) The cross is the peak of the
unreasonable treatments and pain added by the world to the Lord. Therefore to
believers
bearing his cross and coming after the Lord symbolize various kinds
of tribulations
humiliations and sacrifice suffered for the Lord.
2) The cross is the end of the old man.
When believers believe in the Lord
their old man has been crucified with
Christ (Gal. 2:20;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When believers adjust their relationship with
their family members according to the principle of v.26
our natural sentiments
will be suffered and our souls (selves) will be hurt and this is to bear the
cross.
2) In order to love the Lord more than father and
mother and children one has to deny himself (v.26). However if one wants to
deny himself
he has to “take up his cross”.
3) Those who are unwilling to take up their own
crosses are not willing to deny themselves and want to save their lives firmly.
This kind of people cannot be the Lord’s disciples.
4) When He was in
5) If one has not undergone the way of the cross
he won’t come to
6) Those who put themselves aside
only obey God’s
will and love Him at any price can be the Lord’s disciples.
7) There will be shadows of the cross on the way of
Christians. Do you have any reason to avoid the responsibility of the cross and
be unwilling to bear the cross? Have you ever decided that: no matter how the
Lord guides me
I will walk with Him willingly------the faith that the Lord
Jesus Christ has given us is the faith of the cross. We could be counted to
come after the Lord unless we bear our crosses.
8) Christ bore the cross first and then was
crucified (See John. 19:17-18). However
believers in Christ are crucified
first and then bear the cross. This makes them keep themselves in the end of
the old man and therefore experience and enjoy Christ as their life and the
provision of life.
9) From the positive respect
the spiritual
progress is the increase of God in us and from the negative respect
the
spiritual progress is that something in us (or the inner part of us) has been
gotten rid of. One’s being gotten rid of is the work of the cross.
10) The work to get rid of us of the cross is
actually executed by the Holy Spirit in us. And how much has the Holy Spirit
gotten rid of in us is determined by our hearts towards God.
Luke. 14:28 “For which of you
intending to build a tower
does not sit down first and count the cost
whether
he has enough to finish it--”
YLT: “`For who of you
willing to build a tower
doth not first
having sat down
count the expense
whether he have the things for completing?”
Literal Meaning: “sits down first and
counts the cost” The Lord Jesus does not ask men to follow Him with muddle. As
the man
intending to build a tower
sits down first and counts the cost
before men are committed to the Lord
they have to think over the Lord’s
requirement towards those who want to come after Him.
Spiritual Meaning: “intending to build
a tower” “tower” symbolizes our spiritual up-building. Firstly
the spiritual
building should be built upon the right foundation
which is Christ (1Cor.
3:11). Secondly
price and effort should paid to build it
i.e. gold
silver
precious stones and other good materials (1Cor. 3:12).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If you want to follow the Lord
you have to know
that: the way of the Lord Jesus cannot be followed by all and therefore you
have to count the cost before you follow the way.
2) Many believers did pay the prices
however
they
did not pay the enough prices and consequently they failed. The price that the
Lord requires from us is nothing but our “selves”
i.e. our souls.
Luke. 14:29 “lest
after he has laid
the foundation
and is not able to finish
all who see it begin to mock him
”
YLT: “lest that he having
laid a foundation
and not being able to finish
all who are beholding may begin
to mock him
”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should not think that our success of
following the Lord is not related to others because we have been made a
spectacle to the world
both to angels and to men (See 1Cor. 4:9; Heb. 10:33).
2) It is the most shameful for Christians that they
are “mocked” by unbelievers.
Luke. 14:30 “saying
‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.'”
YLT: “saying This man
began to build
and was not able to finish.”
Enlightenment in the Word: the world despises the half-hearted Christians.
They are easy to be fervent and cold and they are dynamical in the beginning
and fall by the wayside sorrowfully.
Luke. 14:31 “Or what king
going to
make war against another king
does not sit down first and consider whether he
is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty
thousand?”
YLT: “`Or what king going
on to engage with another king in war
doth not
having sat down
first consult
if he be able with ten thousand to meet him who with twenty thousand is coming
against him?”
Spiritual Meaning: “going to make war
against another king” “Making war” symbolizes our forward stride in the spirit.
The Lord’s disciples should make the spiritual war day by day as soldiers who
enter the battle field; “another king” symbolizes the spiritual enemy of
believers.
“Who comes against him with twenty
thousand” “twenty thousand” is the type of all that hinder us from striding
forward.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Today our enemies are in front of us. If we are
willing to follow the Lord
there will surely be wars. Satan wants to attack
us
the world wants to induce us and the flesh wants to entangle us
shall we
be prepared to withstand them with sufficient forces?
2) The forces with which believers withstand all
the enemies are nothing but our “mind that suffers in the flesh” (1Pet. 4:1).
The battle is the Lord’s as long as we are willing to deny ourselves and obey
the Lord’s order (See 1Sam. 17:47).
Luke. 14:32 “Or else
while the other
is still a great way off
he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.”
YLT: “and if not so he
being yet a long way off having sent an embassy
he doth ask the things for
peace.”
Spiritual Meaning: “he sends a
delegation and asks conditions of peace.” The Lord did not ask us to compromise
with the devil
the world
the flesh and other spiritual enemies. He asked us
not to pretend to be spiritual warriors by the fleshly strength.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord’s disciples have to be fully aware that
they either cut off all means of retreat or surrender with humiliations.
Christians should never fall by the wayside.
2) The success or failure of the spiritual
conflicts is determined by one idea. As long as we truly have the mind of
denying ourselves and paying the price
we could conquer all the enemies.
Luke. 14:33 “So likewise
whoever of
you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
YLT: “`So
then
every
one of you who doth not take leave of all that he himself hath
is not able to
be my disciple.”
Literal Meaning: the verse shows the
truth to come after the Lord:
1) “Whoever of you” “Whoever” of
Christians
instead of “someone” of Christians
can follow the Lord.
2) “Does not forsake” Those who “do not
forsake”
instead of those who “do not have the wish” cannot follow the Lord.
3) “Forsake all” Those who “forsake
all”
instead of those who “forsake the portion of all”
can follow the Lord.
4) “Cannot be My disciples.” It is not
“cannot be My Christians” or “cannot be My secondary disciples”
but “cannot be
My disciples”. The Lord’s disciples
having received the Lord’s strict
discipline and training
follow the way of the Lord.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) He who really considers his profit is he who
forsakes all for Christ. The man makes the most worthwhile trade.
2) Those who forsake all and only follow the Lord
“can” be the Lord’s disciples.
3) If we are willing to forsake all
give our
authority the Lord at His disposal and rely on the Lord in His mighty strength
we will be more than conquerors no matter how ferocious the devil is.
4) Calvin said that
“I have forsaken all for
Christ and what have I gained? I have gained everything in Christ.”
5) It is free to enter the
Luke. 14:34 “‘Salt
is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor
how shall it be seasoned?”
YLT: “`The salt [is]
good
but if the salt doth become tasteless
with what shall it be seasoned?”
The
Background: the salt used in the
land of Judaea and the
In ancient traditions
if a Jew had
betrayed his faith and then repented
before he was accepted and allowed to
return to the synagogue
he must lay down at the gate of the synagogue and ask
those who enter into the synagogue to trample over him with their feet. Some
Christian groups also follow this tradition. The one who had been driven out by
the regulations of the assembly
before he is accepted and allowed to return
is forced to lie down at the gate of the church
saying
“Trample on me for I
am the salt having lost its flavor.”
Literal Meaning: “you are the salt of
the earth” the functions of salt are to flavor and sterilize. We have dual
functions on earth:
1) To make peace;
2) To prevent and eliminate sins and
corruptions.
“If the salt loses its flavor
how shall
it be seasoned?” “The salt loses
its flavor” symbolizes that Christians have lost their function and act the
same as the world. They are not separated from the world.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Salt is used as flavor and antisepsis.
Christians
having the nature of salt
are able to make men refreshing and
prevent them from sins. Normal Christians could reduce improper things that
would happen all around them.
2) Salt is to flavor but it has to be dissolved so
as to perform its function. In the same way
we have to dissolve ourselves
sacrifice ourselves and losses ourselves and then become others’ blessings.
3) The aim of Christians of living in the world is
not to gain from others
but to dedicate to others.
4) Salt is able to sterilize. Christians should be
separated from the world and do not follow the bad example of the world. Only
by this way Christians could perform their function as to prevent morality from
being ruined.
5) To sons and daughters of God
having the life of
God is not enough. They have to let the life become our dispositions. You are
“the salt” is not enough. Only when you are “salty”
you are useful.
6) Christians are those in whom is Christ. The
flavor of him is not of nature but comes from Christ just like the flavor of
pickles comes from sauce. Wherever a Christian is
he should manifest the life
of Christ
sending out the flavor of Christ’s righteousness
love
light and
holiness.
7) Pure salt could not lose its flavor. Therefore
if Christians walk by the nature of the divine life in them
they will
naturally perform the functions of “salt”.
8) If salt is mixed with dust
the salty flavor
will not be shown. If believers love the world
get along with the world and
are infected with sins
they surely lose their flavor and could not perform
their functions to the world.
9) The more we forsake the earthly things
the
saltier we will be. However
if we are unwilling to forsake all things in this
life
we will lose the flavor.
Luke. 14:35 “It is neither fit for the
land nor for the dunghill
but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear
let
him hear!’”
YLT: “neither for land
nor for manure is it fit they cast it without. He who is having ears to hear
let him hear.’”
Meaning of Words: “neither fit…nor”: unworthy
not meet
not
appropriate.
Literal
Meaning: the verse shows that
the salt that has lost its flavor is not fit for anything and it could only be
threw out.
“He who has ears to hear
let him hear!” It shows
that there are many people who cannot hear the above-mentioned words because
they do not have the spiritual ears. However
to those who have the spiritual
ears
the words are quite important.
Spiritual Meaning: “It is neither fit
for the land nor for the dunghill.” There may be two kinds of explanations
according to different angles of time:
1) Concerning the time when believers
are alive
“land” is the type of the assembly (See 1Cor. 3:9); “dunghill” is
the type of all things (See Pill. 3:9)
i.e. the world. Christians who have
lost their effect of life are neither fit for the church nor the world.
2) Concerning the time when believers
face the judgment-seat of Christ after their death
“the land” is the type of
the reward of the coming kingdom; “dunghill” is the type of the centralized
place of dirtiness
i.e. the lake of fire (See Rev. 21:8; 22:15). When the Lord
comes again the failing Christians will be cast out into the outer darkness
temporarily
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (See Matt. 25:30).
However
they will not be thrown into the lake of fire because they have been
saved and they won’t perish. (Note that before the coming of a new heaven and a
new earth
the failing Christians will probably be disciplined and trained for
a period of time
until they are well prepared.)
“But men throw it out.” “Out” indicates
that it is beyond the realm of glory. The testimony of Christians is trodden
(See Matt. 5:13)
humiliated and despised and therefore it is in the realm of
humiliation.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If Christians become the salt that has lost its
flavor
they are useless in the church and are despised and mocked by the
world.
2) The failing Christian not only falls from God’s
standard but also is not fit for the nature of the world. Because he has
received some knowledge of the Bible and spiritual experiences that make him be
incompatible with the mode of the world. However
he lacks the sufficient grace
and joy that could make him walk on the way of Christians.
3) “He who has ears to hear
let him hear.” It implies that not everyone is willing
to listen to the strict requirements of disciples. However
if one is willing
to follow the Lord Jesus regardless of any price
he should hear and follow
Him.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Feast of the
World
II. The gusts choose the best places because
of their arrogance (v.7
11).
III. The common people give a dinner
hoping
that they would be repaid (v.12).
The Feast of the
I. The master of the feast is great------God
Himself------“a certain man” (v.16a).
II. The supper itself is great------“gave a
great supper” (v.16b).
III. The guests that have been invited are
many------“invited many” (v.16c).
IV. The supper is abundant------“all things
are now ready” (v.17).
V. Many times------He sent servants to
invite men again and again (v.16-17
21
23).
VI. Objects are wide------“bring in here the
poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind” (v.21).
VII. The realm is broad------it includes
“the streets and lanes of the city” (v.21)
“the highways and hedges” (v.23).
Three Periods of
Salvation
II. The period of the perfection of
salvation------it is rejected by the Jews (v.17-20).
III. The period of the extension of
salvation------He declared to the poor and the Gentiles (v.21-23).
The Triple Tests of
the Lord’s Disciples
II. Bear his cross (v.27).
III. Forsake all (v.33).
The Directions of
the Spiritual Pursuit
II. Forward-striding------go to make war
(v.31-32).
III. Inner-enriching------keep the flavor of
salt (v.33).
The Preparations and
Persistence of Following the Lord
II. Persistence------do not let the salt
lose its flavor (v.34-35)------it is not to follow in form but to follow in
reality.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren