Turn on the light and pass the salt, please

Luke 14:1, House of one of the rulers. Yeshua was invited to a Sabbath meal at the home of a Pharisee who was a ruler (likely a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin). Had Yeshua been a typical man, he would have engaged in the customary small talk of a polite and gracious dinner guest not wanting to offend his host. Yet Yeshua was not there to schmooze—to curry anyone’s favor in an effort to gain personal influence. As he required his own disciples to maintain a salty or spicy demeanor at all times (Matt 5:13; Luke 14:34–35), he was definitely up to the task to lead his disciples by example. The following discussion that Yeshua initiates is what some may consider to be a prime example of how to insult one’s host and the other guests. 

First Yeshua confronts a controversial issue head on by asking a question, and then by healing one of the other invited guests on the Sabbath, which was a Pharisaical taboo, though not contrary to the Scriptures (Luke 14:2–6). 

Next, Yeshua takes some of the guests to task who were prideful social elites and religious status-seekers. He challenges them to humbles themselves and let Elohim exalt them in the eyes of men (Luke 14:7–14). 

Yeshua then raises the discussion around the table to a higher level when he tells the Parable of the Great Supper (Luke 14:15–24). Doubtless, a few of the guests were made to feel awkward, since they likely resembled some of the characters in Yeshua’s story. 

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Our Words and Actions—A Pebble in the Lake of Life

While bushwhacking off trail in the Mount Hood National Wilderness the other day, I stumbled onto this little no name lake that’s not even on the map—a pristine jewel in the vast wilderness! Almost no one comes here. The beauty of it caused me to pause and reflect on some of the deeper things of life.

Everything we do, say and think is as if we were dropping a pebble in the lake of life, in the sea of humanity; the ripples reach out and far and wide and touch many lives, affects many people, and can even affect the course of human history for good or bad in ways we don’t know. Ask yourself this: In  everything that I do, say and think, am I advancing the kingdom of Elohim or not? Am I glorifying Him and pointing people to Yeshua or not? A simple but serious question.

A little no name lake in the Mount Hood National Forest.

I’m naming this no nameLake Jared Lake after my youngest son with whom I was able to share this experience in Yehovah’s vast, untouched, pristine wilderness.

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of Elohim. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which Elohim supplies, that in all things Elohim may be glorified through Yeshua the Messiah, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet 4:11)

 

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of Elohim. (1 Cor 10:31)

 

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to Elohim the Father through Him. (Col 3:17)

Yehovah Elohim, help me to be salt and light in this world at all times in all ways! Amein.