Pentecost Season · Year C

Proper 18

September 10, 2028

Christ Carrying the Cross, El Greco — **Christ Carrying the Cross**, El Greco, c. 1580El Greco, Christ Carrying the Cross (c. 1580) — Metropolitan Museum of Art

Revised Common Lectionary

GospelLuke 14:25-33

EpistlePhlm. 1:1-21

Old TestamentJer. 18:1-11 Alt. OTDeut. 30:15-20

PsalterPs. 139:1-6, 13-18 Alt. PsalmPs. 1

Overview & Insights

"Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)

Jesus turns to the large crowds traveling with him and tells them to count the cost of discipleship before committing, comparing it to a builder planning a tower or a king weighing whether to go to war. Following him means putting loyalty to him above every other tie, including family and possessions.

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Commentary

Commentary on Luke 14:25-33 Working Preacher

Reads the two parables as a challenge to a market-driven approach to Christian mission.

Luke 14:25-33 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Unpacks why Jesus tells the crowd to count the cost before following him.

Luke 14 Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse notes on the tower builder and the warring king.

Luke 14:26 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentary on the hard 'hate father and mother' saying.

Luke 14:26 Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the Greek text of the demanding discipleship saying.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of Luke Overview (Part 2) BibleProject

Covers the travel-narrative section of Luke that contains this teaching.

Luke Course Enter the Bible

Background on Luke's Gospel and its call to costly discipleship.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Luke 14 Catena

Gathers patristic comment on counting the cost of discipleship.

Worship & Prayers

Proper 18, Year C The Lectionary Page

Provides the day's collect alongside all four readings.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave #674: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Working Preacher

Scholars discuss the demanding, uncompromising language of this discipleship text.

Art & Music

Year C, Proper 18 Art Index Vanderbilt

Curated artwork keyed to each of the day's readings.

Study Hub

Luke 14:25-33 Textweek

A hub of further links and resources for this Gospel passage.

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