I love the book Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. If you have not read it, pause and order one from Amazon right now. If you are a parent, there are versions in modern english if Old English is a bear for you. OK, in this book, Bunyan uses an allegory to teach about the journey of the Christian life. It works so well to this day despite being written in the 1600s. In our passage, Jesus shows us the vanity and glory of certain locations on the way to the Celestial City. There are three locations and three places to be keenly aware of to either avoid or journey towards as we follow our Savior.

In the middle part of Luke's gospel (chapters 9-19) Jesus presents many lessons regarding what it means to follow him: "You can't serve God and money" (16:13). "You should always pray and not lose heart "(18:1). And "You must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (12:40). Son of Man? Coming? What does this have to do with following Jesus? Find out this week.

Legalism is the enemy of discipleship. It is as if the Pharisees, who represent the self-salvation life, are there to stop any hint of following Jesus. There are clear beliefs and behaviors of the Pharisees that result from their legalism. Jesus sometimes directly rebukes them. Sometimes Jesus uses a parable to confront them. And sometimes Jesus turns to his disciples and teaches them how NOT to be like Pharisees. Jesus' point is not to simply teach us to be right, but that we might see and hear and feel who Jesus is - He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Seeing Jesus as the Savior and Lord of grace is nothing less than life. That is why legalism is so lethal. It numbs us to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Please pray that Jesus heals as His Word teaches.