Luke 14:15  “…Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God”
You wonder the motivation behind the statement.  We only have the context to determine, so we look at what Jesus says.  He gives a parable about those invited not coming and others thought to be unworthy being able to attend.  This makes it appear that perhaps the man was thinking about the promise to the Jews, that the Jews would certainly be at the supper.  Blessed are we Jews because God has promised us a place.  But he didn’t understand the promise was for those who expressed faith in God as Abraham did, not those who are merely physical descendants.

17  “…those who were invited…”
Parable is obviously allegorical.  Those who were invited would be the descendants of Abraham, the Jews.  Jesus Himself came to the Jews first, and at times told His disciples to preach and minister only to other Jews.  It was fulfillment of the promise to Abraham.  The intent was for the Jews to receive the Messiah and then spread His good news to the Gentile world.  But the Jews as a whole rejected Christ.  With the exception of the disciples and the earliest churches, the cause of Christ has been promoted mostly by the Gentiles.

20  “…I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come”
I’m sure Jesus was referring to some cultural issue here, but it has always struck me funny.  The man doesn’t give a reason, he just says I’ve taken a wife and can’t come, like it was obvious his wife wouldn’t let him attend.

22  “…and still there is room”
Even after those thought unworthy to attend had come in, there was still room.  The kingdom of God is vast.  Room isn’t a problem.  Whosoever will may come.  But you can only come through Jesus.  He is the only way.

26  “…does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also…”
Obviously not hate as in despising them, otherwise the scripture would contradict itself.  And the scripture tells us he who does not take care of his family is worse than an infidel.  This is the companion to the first commandment, love the Lord God with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength.  Nothing is to be before God, even to the extreme that your actions appear as hatred.

28  “…count the cost…”
Further explanation.  Jesus wants the crowd to understand what it costs to be His disciple.  It’s not a part-time position.  It requires everything you have.  If you’re not willing to commit fully to Him, you’re wasting your time.  Partial commitment is not commitment at all.  This shouldn’t be that hard to understand.  We have the same type of issue in a marriage covenant.  Forsaking all others.  As Paul says, all things I count as loss that I may know Christ.  Nothing is more important than Him.

34  “…if the salt has lost its flavor…”
Statements could have many meanings, so you have to look at the context.  In this case it’s not easy to see.  He has been speaking of full commitment to Him.  Those who do so are the salt of the earth, sharing the good news to enhance and give life.  Those who won’t commit or try some half-hearted gesture like following the law or just Jesus’s teachings are like salt that’s lost its flavor.  Good for nothing but to be thrown out.  Our ability to be salt and light for Christ comes from our relationship with Him.  Without that, we are nothing.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.