Luke 14:1-34

"Salt is good", said Jesus.

"Questionable", retorted a dietitian, "Too much salt can harm you health."

It is a salty savouring debate, which may be irrelevant for this discussion, so let's return to Jesus.

He said that when salt loses its saltiness (the reason for its existence), there is no way it can be made salt again. It is useless even to put it in the soil (or even on a slippery icy walkway) or on a manure pile (compost heap). So it must be thrown away.

I never realized the sadness of this statement before.

In most other comparisons of people with the natural elements, Jesus suggests that there is hope for a turnaround. For example the fig tree, which was given a year long reprieve (or longer if figs appeared), or Peter who was advised to forgive his brother "not seven times, but 70 times seven".

But once salt loses its saltiness, poof ... it's gone. It cannot be saved.

So the warning is "never lose your saltiness", or whatever it is that keeps you focused on the essence of your existence. This section in my Bible is headed "The cost of being a disciple", and Olivia (who wrote PASSPORT TO LIFE) asked about the difference between being a 'follower' and being a 'disciple' of Jesus.

Maybe 'followers' will never lose their 'saltiness', but 'disciples' can lose theirs. I say this because disciples are more on the front lines, open to constant demands, criticisms, accusations, etc. which can tax enormously the determination, dedication and commitment of the person. Followers do not have the same passion or level of energy-sapping work. Followers can walk away more easily, because they have not made the same investment to the cause.

Maybe that is the difference between following the crowd, and taking an active stand for God.

According to Jesus, a 'disciple' ...

A. must put God ahead of family and friends (give up everything you have);

B. must carry his/her own cross;

C. must consider the cost of being a disciple before starting out on the journey (neat story about building a tower told by Jesus);

D. must be willing to negotiate with those who oppose you (Jesus' story is about a kind and making peace with one's enemies).

Anyone, it seems, can be a follower, but being a disciple means that you have to take it up another notch.

Question: Are you a follower or a disciple? How can you tell?


Tomorrow's reading: Luke 15-1-32

(Today's post submitted by Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)