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| HOUSE OF SEALTHIEL - CONSTRUCTION November 17, 2019 |
"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it,
but whoever loses it will save it."
LUKE 17:33
This is a very profound and paradoxical statement spoken by Jesus Christ to His disciples. It conveys a spiritual principle about the paradox of self-preservation and self-sacrifice. In the context of the teachings of Jesus, it suggests that those who try to save their physical life and worldly possessions at the expense of their spiritual life will lose it. But those who are willing to lose their life for the sake of righteousness and the gospel will save it. It’s about prioritizing spiritual growth and the kingdom of God over worldly desires. (Microsoft Bing)
Jesus said to His disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.” (Luke 17:26-37)
Jesus taught His disciples that the true way to gain eternal life is to surrender their own will and follow Him, even if it means suffering and death in this world. He also warned them that those who try to save their lives by rejecting Him and His message will ultimately lose them in the final judgment. This quote is found in two different places in the Bible: Matthew 16:25 and Luke 17:33. There are also similar statements in Mark 8:35 and John 12:25. This quote has inspired many Christians throughout history to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Christ and His gospel. It also challenges us to examine our own priorities and values, and to ask ourselves what we are living for. (Microsoft Bing)
All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan; but either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water, or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods. Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods, let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these; for the original source of beauty fashioned them. Or if they were struck by their might and energy, let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them. For from the greatness and the beauty of created things their original author, by analogy, is seen. But yet, for these the blame is less; for they indeed have gone astray perhaps, though they seek God and wish to find him. For they search busily among his works, but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair. But again, not even these are pardonable. For if they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord? (Wisdom 13:1-9)
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (Psalm 19:2-5)
Pericope:
V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative
THE DAY OF THE SON OF MAN
Luke 17:22-37
III: Special Providence of God during Exodus
DIGRESSION ON FALSE WORSHIP - A. NATURE WORSHIP
Wisdom 13:1-9
First Book of Psalms 1-41
GOD'S GLORY IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE LAW
Psalm 19:1-15