Luke 14.  Jesus encounters a group of people who are interested in him, but whose prior commitments to traditions keep them from entering his kingdom.  He responds to this problem by giving advice and telling  stories. The advice about a wedding feast (7-11) encourages people not to let their ego keep them from entering. The advice about giving a banquet (12-14) encourages people to seek the needy for kingdom ministry. The story about the great banquet (15-24) shows that the LORD does just that: he does not waste his time on people who have prior commitments.  Entering into Christ’s kingdom requires a divesting of anything that might be a hindrance to total commitment. This includes family and self-preservation (26-27) and personal plans and goals (28-32).  Someone who is just interested in Christianity but is not able to make that kind of sacrifice is like tasteless salt (34-35).

LORD, help us divest ourselves of prior commitments and enter your kingdom whole-heartedly.