Day 4 - Hate Everything

Boy! I got a little behind over the last couple of days.  I did my reading late Thursday night, but didn't have time to journal.  Yesterday was too busy for reading or journalling.  So I'm journalling my Thursday reading right now and hopefully I'll have time tonight to read my 5th day for the week and do my journalling.  Then I'll be all caught up and ready to begin again on Monday.  Also, I'm participating in a study group for NT40 that is meeting at Journey Church Sunday mornings at 8:45am.  This Sunday, tomorrow, will be our first meeting, so I'm really excited for that as well.

The Least Important Place
In today's reading I liked the parable Jesus told to the Pharisee to illustrate the pride they had in sitting in the "places of honor" at the table.  What stuck with me was the part of the story where Jesus warns that the host might says "Give this person your seat."  I can imagine the embarassment in that situation.  I think I get embarrased fairly easily, which is proabably why this scenario stuck with me more than the scenario in which the host asks the person to move up to a better place.  While that would be nice, to me, the embarrasement of the first scenario outweighs the good feelings from the second scenario.

In that same sitting, Jesus tells the parable about the man giving a banquet that none of his friends will come to.  At the end of the story, the master says "I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet."  Was the master inviting anyone that would come just to make sure that those who declined his invitation will not be able to ever eat any of the banquet food?  Is he doing this out of anger?

Hate Everything
At first glance, Luke 14:26 seems out of character for Jesus.  He is saying that to become a disciple you must "hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even life itself".  I HAD to underline this passage and research.

The NLT version of the Bible says "...you must hate everyone else by comparison..."  This makes a little more sense to me.  Basically, if you choose these people (or life) over the kingdom of God, then you can not be a disciple of Christ.

I also came across a decent article on this verse that ties it in with the parable that was told in Luke right before this passage.  It's a little tough getting in and out of this article, but the middle part of it is good reading.

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/what-did-jesus-mean-when-he-said-we-must-hate-our-family

I Am the Lost Son
When reading the parable of the prodigal son I was able to relate parts of my life with the lost son.  And it occurred to me that I think is how most of us might be, as opposed to the older brother.  The fact that this is in the Bible and that it is Jesus telling this parable, which gives it validity and truth, is part of why I can be excited about some day going to Heaven.

Describe Hell
I haven't read, or don't recall reading, a lot in the bible that describes Hell.  Before being introduced to this passage, I imaged Heaven and Hell as being in a verticle order; Hell below, Heaven above.  But I've never given it much consideration as to what is between them.  In the story that Jesus tells, in Luke 16:26, he speaks of a chasm that seperates the two places; one that can not be crossed.  Other translations have these words in place of chasm: gulf, pit, ditch, wide space, hole, dark place (in the Wycliffe New Testatment).  I just found the topics of "what seperates Heaven and Hell" and "can someone from Hell go to Heaven" interesting ones.

1 Out of 10
The story of Jesus healing 10 lepers and only 1 returning to give praise, glory and worship to Jesus made me think about how most of our nation is today.  I looked on-line for a few stats and found a couple websites quoting studys that said 20% of Americans go to church every Sunday.  What about the other 80%?  I have friends who believe that they have accomplished everything in their lifes on their own with no help from God.  You must have friends like this, too?  To be perfectly honest, I believed this lie at some point in my life too, but now, it just seems so self centered and ridiculous.

Remember Lot's wife!
I love the look into the rapture that Jesus provides in Luke 17:30-26.  The idea that we will be "taken" someday is exhilarating!  But we should also heed the warning provided here, too.  Don't look back at your old life.  "Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."

Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Huh? Think, McFly. Think!
Is anyone else wondering why the Disciples sometimes have a problem understanding what Jesus is telling them?  In Luke 18:31-34 Jesus straight out tells them what is going to happen... and they don't understand?

Wrap it Up!!!
There are so many notes that I wrote down in my Bible that I didn't journal about.  There is always just so much that can be discussed. I'm really loving this NT40 study!!!