>1. Why was Jesus being so carefully watched at the Pharisee's banquet?
* Luke 14:1 "One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched."
* Luke is the only one to record the exchange Jesus had at this prominent Pharisee's house.
* Luke 11:53-54 "When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say."
* "On a Sabbath" -Luke does not state which Sabbath. A walking trip from Galilee to Judea was only a few days. There probably weren't any synagogues along the Jordan in Jesus' day and there certainly weren't any in Samaria. So Jesus was either at the southern edge of Galilee or most likely on the eastern edge of Judea. However, it is also possible that Luke is not following chronological order.
* "to eat" -Sabbath meals were prepared the day before.
* This is one of seven recorded miracles on the Sabbath. Luke recorded five (4:31, 38, 6:6, 13:14, 14:1) The two other are in John (5:10, 9:14)
* "a prominent Pharisee" -He had more prominence, influence, and disciples than most.
>Why do you think the Pharisee invited him?
* "he was being carefully watched." -They wanted to reduce and even eliminate Jesus' popularity. They were jealous. They enjoyed the fame and popularity their position held. If they lost these, their paid occupation would be lost. When a person becomes dependent on a paid staff religious position instead of God, they are tempted to oppose God and the people they are to serve.
* Luke 11:53-54 "When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say."
>Why did he accept?
* Jesus used every opportunity given to present the truth to even those who actively opposed him.
>2. What did Jesus do when the man suffering from dropsy stood before him?
* Luke 14:2-4 "There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away.""
* "There in front of him" -Luke makes it clear, this was on purpose.
* "dropsy" -Dropsy is an old name for a disease in which the body becomes swollen because it retains an unusual amount of fluid in the body's tissues, usually appearing in the legs and ankles, Dropsy has not been in scientific use for some time. Dropsy is now called edema in modern medical terms.
* "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" -Jesus already knew their beliefs on the subject. They knew that this was not in the Mosaic law, only a teaching they imposed on people and themselves. They believed they should not even get close to breaking the Mosaic law, so they created extra laws as a safety barrier. All these extra laws did was burden people and chase them away from God. Many congregations and demonstrations do this as well to this very day.
* "Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law" -Jesus knew what they had planned. He used this to teach them. He did not get upset. He did not leave. He gave them a choice. By questioning them before the miracle (which was part of the teaching) Jesus made it difficult for them to protest afterwords.
* "expert(s) in the law" -A title used mostly by Luke (7:25, 30, 37, 10:25, 37, 11:45-46, 52, 14:3) perhaps because his audience were Greek's and Roman's who considered the rule of law very important to their great society. However, Matthew once referred to a man as "an expert in the law" (Matthew 22:35). They were "scribes", most of which were a sect of the Pharisees trained in writing skills and used to record events and decisions (Jeremiah 36:26; 1 Chronicle 24:6; Esther 3:12; Matthew 23:2). During the exile in Babylon educated scribes apparently became the experts in God's written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it. Ezra was a scribe (Ezra 7:6). By Jesus' time a scribe was a profession (Mark 2:16).
* "lawful" -Mosaic laws.
* "But they remained silent." -Perhaps out of embarrassment. He had exposed their trap. They had not prepared for Jesus asking this.
* This illustration titled "Healing on the Sabbath" is from a book by Luther, Martin, 1483-1546. now in public domain. The book's title is "Auslegung der Episteln vnd Euangelien, von Ostern bis auff das Aduent / D. Mart. Luth. "
This woodcut illustrates Jesus healing a man with dropsy while eating dinner at a Pharisee's house on the Sabbath; outside, an ox is removed from a pit.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
>What did he teach? (5)
* Luke 14:5 "Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?"
* "a son" -The original Greek word "onos" has also been translated as donkey (ass).
* Deuteronomy 5:12-14 "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do."
* Jesus was often invited to Pharisee's houses on the Sabbath. (Luke 7:36, 11:37) This was considered an honor. However, the religious leaders did not honor Jesus in their hearts. They watched him closely hoping to find some reason to discredit him. (Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2; Luke 6:7, 20:20) Luke's record of this healing reveals today was no different.
Dropsy is an old name for a disease in which the body becomes swollen because it retains an unusual amount of fluid. Luke hints that the Pharisees arranged this intentionally noting that the infected man was placed in front of Jesus. The intent was to discredit Jesus. They believed that their words held large sway amongst the public. Intimidation and humiliation were their source of power and influence.
Jesus used their trap as a teaching tool. "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" Jesus exposed the hypocrisy and malicious intent. He gave them a chance to repent. But they remained silent. Their duplicity was caught. They remained stubborn fools.
Motivation is key. Why do I do what I do? An ill heart can not be overlooked, yet the self often excuses it. 1 John 2:4-6 says, "The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
Listen to the above comments on Luke 14:1-6.
>Why were the Pharisees silent?
* Luke 14:6 "And they had nothing to say."
* As earlier they remains silent out of embarrassment. He had exposed their trap. They had not prepared for Jesus asking this perhaps out of pride. They believed themselves better that other, especially this prominent Pharisee. They could neither accept his teaching or admit they were wrong. They did not repent. They were stubborn fools.
>3. What did Jesus notice about the guests at the banquet?
* Luke 14:7 "When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:"
* "guests" -Jesus' parable implies that this prominent Pharisee also invited other Pharisees and his pupils.
* "picked the places of honor at the table" -the higher places at the table; those which were nearest the head of the table and to him who had invited them. Matthew 23:6. That this was the common character of the Pharisees. (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament"
* "parable" -The word parable, here, means rather a precept, an injunction. He gave a rule or precept about the proper manner of attending a feast, or about the humility which ought to be manifested on such occasions. (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament)
* The same problem caused problems at the last supper (22:24).
>What do their actions reveal about them?
* When custom and law have regulated and settled places in public assemblies, a man who is obliged to attend may take the place which belongs to him, without injury to himself or to others: when nothing of this nature is settled, the law of humility, and the love of order, are the only judges of what is proper. To take the highest place when it is not our due is public vanity: obstinately to refuse it when offered is another instance of the same vice; though private and concealed. Humility takes as much care to avoid the ostentation of an affected refusal, as the open seeking of a superior place. (Adam Clarke's Commentary)
>What teaching did Jesus give these guests? (8-11)
* Luke 14:8-11 "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.
9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.
10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.
11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
* Luke is the only one to record this teaching.
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* It is better to be honored by another than to be embarrassed by an honorable host. Jesus' parable concludes with God's unchangeable conduct: He is ever abasing the proud and giving grace, honor, and glory to the humble. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." This is part of God's regular plan: to raise up those bowed down, and show his favors to those who are poor and needy.
Insincere humility is the hypocrite's hidden pride. I should honor others more than myself without forgetting that I am a child of God and that is enough honor for eternity.
I am invited to the King's wedding banquet, honor is attending dressed, ready for servicing, with my lamp burning. (Luke 12:35) "Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:4-6)
Listen to the above comments on Luke 14:7-11.
>Why did he teach them?
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>4. What was the Pharisee's basis for selecting the guests he invited to his banquet?
* Luke 14:12 "Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid."
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>What did Jesus teach his host about whom he should invite?
* Luke 14:13-14 "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
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* Acts of kindness do not go unnoticed nor unrewarded. Jesus continued teaching the host who disapproved of Jesus' kind act of healing a man with dropsy on the Sabbath. Jesus switched the subject from humility to being rewarded for acts of kindness.
The host, a prominent Pharisee invited Jesus and his disciples to a dinner on the Sabbath. He wanted to investigate whether Jesus would violate one of his laws. Jesus began teaching the error of the leader's laws, customs, and ways. Now he would teach about the secret blessedness of living servitude.
Apostle Paul told Jesus' people, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35) Why is it better?
Jesus' answer is, "You will be blessed (when you do so). Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." The resurrection of the righteous is distinct from the resurrection of the unrighteous. The unrighteous will be judged. The righteous will be rewarded. (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 20:4-6) The righteous are those who have been pronounced so by God on the basis of Christ's atonement and who have evidenced their faith by their actions. (Matthew 25:34-40) I need to act on compassion and love when I see the need for a random act of kindness.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 14:11-14.
>Why?
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II. The Great Heavenly Banquet (15-24)
>5. Why did the man in verse 15 make a remark about a great heavenly banquet?
* Luke 14:15 "When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."
* Luke is the only one to record the parable of the Great Banquet.
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>What did he mean?
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>6. In Jesus' parable, who is the host?
* Luke 14:16 "Jesus replied: 'A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.'"
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* Jesus and his disciples were invited to dinner at the home of a prominent Pharisee. Jesus had been discoursing with the host, teaching him a better way of thinking and life. He concluded a parable about the reward that goes with covert generosity by saying, "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (13-14)
Picking up on "the resurrection of the righteous" one of those at the table with him said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Sounds like the great Messianic banquet to come was one of the person's favorite subjects. The association of the future kingdom with a feast was common then and is still so now. (13:29; Isaiah 25:6; Matthew 8:11, 25:1-10, 26:29; Revelation 19:9)
Jesus used the person's remark as the occasion for a new parable warning that not everyone would enter the kingdom. The parable's characters were a host of a coming banquet, his servant, and some invited guests. It was common in those days to send out an early invitation, make arrangements for the banquet, and when all was ready send a servant to tell the guests to come for the banquet is ready.
God is the host of the future Messianic banquet. The prophets, Jesus, and the apostles are his servants who tell others that they are invited to attend. Now I am one too. A great banquet is coming. Are you ready and willing to attend?
Listen to the above comments on Luke 14:15-17.
>Who do the invited guests represent?
* The direct application of the invited guest are the Jews in the room. The general application is all Israelites from Abraham's time to Jesus' time.
> Who does the servant represent?
* The direct application of the servant is Jesus. The general application is all prophets from Jacob on.
>7. What were the responses of the invited guests?
* Luke 14:17-20 "At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
18 "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
19 "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20 "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'"
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>How did these responses reveal their worldliness?
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>What do they reveal about their attitude toward God?
* The people invited to the banquet initially accepted the invitation. But when the time came to attend, all had excuses for why they couldn't. Their excuses were ridiculous. The first said he just bought a field and must go to see it. Who buys a field without seeing it? And couldn't seeing a field wait for one day? It was not going anywhere.
The excuse of the man who bought five yoke of oxen was also not genuine. Who buys a farming team of five trained oxen without inspecting them beforehand?
The man, whose pretext was that he just got married, was also not sincere. Why plan to be married on the day of a banquet you knew was coming long beforehand?
The man who invited these guests was God. The servant delivering the invitations was Jesus. The invited guests were the Jews of Jesus's day. Most made excuses for why they rejected Jesus and his kingdom. They would not eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.
Many in my day also have reasons why they put other things before getting to know Jesus. They sleep late rather than pray, meditate on the word of God, and commune with God the Father. Sports are more important than generosity and servitude. Self gain is put in place of self sacrifice. I know that I need to prepare for the coming seventh trumpet call to the banquet. The time is now. No excuses are accepted.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 14:18-20.
* This illustration titled "The Parable of the Great Banquet" is from a book by Luther, Martin, 1483-1546. now in public domain. The book's title is "Auslegung der Episteln vnd Euangelien, von Ostern bis auff das Aduent / D. Mart. Luth."
This woodcut illustrates Jesus telling the Parable of the Great Banquet as the cripple and other outcasts come.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
>8. How did the master respond to the rejection? (21)
* Luke 14:21 "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'"
* "The servant came back and reported this to his master... ordered his servant" -Jesus was subject to heavenly Father.
* "the owner of the house" -God the Father is the owner.
* "into the streets and alleys of the town" -Luke 13:22 "Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem."
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>Who do these second group of invited guests represent?
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* Jesus continued his parable, "The Great Banquet," explaining what was happening right before the established elite's eyes and repeating the ancient prophets' words concerning what was to come.
The servant in the parable had just reported to his master the absentee excuses of those who were invited to the banquet. The master, who owned a great house, became angry. The master's words to his servant, Jesus picked directly out prophecy. (Isaiah 29:18-21; 35:5-6; 61:1; Duet. 18:15 and Psalms 72:2,4,12,13)
Jesus gave these words before to John the Baptist while he was in prison. John, through his disciples, asked Jesus, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Matthew 11:3-5) The servant in the parable is describing Jesus' last 3 years, his ministry unfolding right in front of the established elite's eyes, those who had rejected Jesus' invitation to the Great Banquet.
Jesus concluded his parable with a prophesy. Because there was still room, the master of the great house instructed his servant to go on a road trip until his house was filled. Jesus had been preparing his disciples to be his messengers to the Gentiles after he ascended. The prophecy is being fulfilled today. Best to be sure that one accepts the invitation before the guest list is closed.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 14:24-24.
>How are we like the third group?
* Luke 14:22-23 "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full."
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>What can we learn about God? (24)
* Luke 14:24 "I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'"
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III. The Workers of the Kingdom of God (25-34)
* This illustration titled "Cost of Discipleship" is from a book by Luther, Martin, 1483-1546. now in public domain. The book's title is "Biblia, das ist, Die ganze Heilige Schrifft dess Alten und Neuen Testaments ..."
This woodcut illustrates Jesus teaching the crowd about the cost of discipleship.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
>9. What did Jesus teach the large crowds following him?
* Luke 14:25-27 "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.'"
* Luke is the only one to record this event.
* "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus" -The end of Jesus' traveling and open air ministry to the public ended in large popularity.
* Jesus wanted the large crowd to this about why they were following him. He wanted them to know that although they loved seeing the miracles and hearing what he had to say, they were required to respond and that had a personal price. If they followed and wanted to be his disciples they would have to leave their family. They would at times have a hard life. Everyone in Israel knew the pain of the Roman cross. Jesus was not saying they would be crucified. He knew he would be crucified. He knew they needed to know they would also be required to sacrifice themselves (Hebrew 11:1).
>What does he mean by "hate" his loved ones and himself?
* "hate" -They would have to leave those they loved knowing they most likely would not see them again.
* Jesus includes children in this list. A father and mother have resposibilities to children that they must follow. However, sometimes following Jesus might mean working for Jesus and the gospel before spending time with the children. Do not those who love money sacrifice time with family because money is their first love?
>10. What do each of the two parables in verses 28-33 teach about counting the costs of following Jesus?
* Luke 14:28-33 "But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!' Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."
* Luke is the only one to record the parables concerning the cost of being a disciple.
* "But don't begin until you count the cost" -Jesus implies following him will personally cost his disciples.
* "construction of a building... go to war against another king" -Physical and financial cost.
* "So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own." -Give up implies never going back to and never expecting to get back. When Israel was freed from Egypt they kept looking back because they didn't like the cost of the journey.
>About the importance of making a decision and a commitment?
* Jesus had something to say to the large crowds following him. They needed to know that following him came at a high price. Tolls did not exist on Roman roads. Jesus did not charge a fee to listen to him. No record exists showing he took an offering from anyone. However, there was a price to be paid to follow Jesus. They needed to be prepared. The price was full dedication and allegiance.
According to Matthew 10:37, Jesus said almost the same words when he sent the twelve out. "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me..." To the large crowd, he used hyperbole, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes, even his own life- he cannot be my disciple..." (26) Jesus is to be our first love.
Jesus continues, "...and anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Jesus said this before, when Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ of God (9:23). The cross was an instrument of death and torture. Here, it symbolizes the necessity of total commitment -even unto death- on the part of Jesus's disciples. These dramatic words coincide well with 13:24, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to," except here Jesus says all his disciples have hard and dangerous kingdom work assigned to them. Following Jesus sometimes is not light and easy labor.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 14:25-27.
>11. What does salt that has lost its saltiness represent?
* Luke 14:34-35 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
* The parable of salt is also in Matthew 5:13 and Mark 9:50.
* Jesus provides two illustrations to explain and support the truth that I must carry my cross as Jesus bore his cross. The first example illustrates the important preconstruction practice of considering the cost before building. Making and keeping a budget at the get-go with milestones is important for any project. If I do not have enough money, I should either not build or not build so big and elaborate.
Jesus is saying, "Following me is not going to be easy. You will, at times, have to sacrifice your ambitions, hopes, and dreams when following me or doing good for others. Are you willing to give up what you love to obey me and carry your cross?"
The other example Jesus provided is the preemptive tactic of war. If a king has ten thousand troops and his opponent has twice as many, he needs to consider if he can win. If he can not, it is best to ask for the price of peace when the invader is far off.
Jesus concludes the illustrations, "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." The cost of following him, Jesus warned, is complete surrender to him. Can you still say, "I love Jesus," while not complying with complete surrender?
Listen to the above comments on Luke 14:28-33.
>How should Christians have saltiness?
* Jesus concludes his teaching to the large crowds that followed him. He had been expounding on his claim, "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (27). His concluding remark is, "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out."
Salt has a large number of positive uses. It is used as a food preservative, to improve and empasize food's taste, and to give food a distinctive taste. It is also used to clean, sanitize, deodorize, and heal. Similarly, when a person follows Jesus and takes up his personal cross, then the Holy Spirit enters that person, and they change. With the Spirit inside, the converted soul becomes a positive influence on those around them. They have the characteristics of salt.
However, if a believer walks away from Jesus and their cross they lose their saltiness. They lose their peace within and without. They become argumentative and bitter. They become stubborn fools who have rejected God and reject others. They negatively affect those around them. Jesus asks, "How can they be made salty again?" If they go from being a good influence to repulsing others, can their errors be corrected?
