Christ Teaches on Discipleship

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 k“If anyone comes to Me land does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, myes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And nwhoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For owhich of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you pdoes not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

34 q“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the 7dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Parable of the Lost Sheep

Matt. 18:12–14

15 Then aall the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man 1receives sinners band eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 c“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, d‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep ewhich was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents fthan over ninety-nine 2just persons who gneed no repentance.

Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver 3coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”