108. On Counting the Cost
25Now great multitudes accompanied him; and Jesus turned and said to them, 26"If anyone comes to me and is not willing to forsake his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. 33So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."34"Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill; men throw it away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
(Lk. 14:25–35)
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c “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your minister.”—Here Jesus distinguishes two basic ways of living: the ways of the world and the ways of the kingdom. Those who choose and live the way of the kingdom will seek more to serve others than to rule over them.
Lk. 14:25 and Jesus turned / and he turned (RSV)
Lk. 14:26 and is not willing to forsake his / and does not hate his (RSV) (171:2/1869–70)
