Day #300

Sermon - Audio
Luke 14-15 - Reading
Luke 14-15 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

14

The great banquet [ chapter 14 ]. The ongoing conflict with the Pharisees continues with yet another Sabbath-day healing, in which Jesus cleverly silences his opposition (vv. 1–6). The miracle does not take place at the synagogue this time but in the home of one of the leading Pharisees. Observing the way most people try to claim a seat of honor at the dinner table, Jesus tells a parable about taking a lower place (vv. 7–10). The values of God’s kingdom are subversive: the humble will be exalted, while those who exalt themselves will be humbled (v. 11). Rather than inviting dinner guests who are rich enough to return the favor, the servants of God should invite the poor, the lame, and the blind—all the lost people whom Jesus came to save (vv. 12–14). Indeed, according to Jesus this is what God himself will do at the last of all banquets (vv. 15–24). Many people will be so caught up in their own affairs that they will refuse to come to his heavenly table. But many poor and broken people who are outside the religious establishment will come in and feast with God forever—provided, that is, they give up everything they have, counting the cost to follow Jesus in cross-bearing discipleship (vv. 25–33). This chapter epitomizes the discourse methods of Jesus, with his typical reliance on storytelling (parable) and poetry (figurative language). -ESVLB-

4 - they remained silent. By now the Pharisees have learned that they can never win when they get into an argument with Jesus. Also, they know from OT law that it is better to heal/help someone than to keep their tradition. However, it bothers them that Jesus cares very little for the traditions they have made.

7-11 - The parable of the wedding feast was directed to those who were invited to the dinner at the house of the Pharisee (v. 1); similarly, the parable of the great banquet (see vv. 12–24) was directed to “the man who had invited him” to that dinner (v. 12). when he noticed. Here (as in 18:1, 9; 19:11), Luke states at the beginning Jesus’ purpose in telling the parable. The parable teaches the wisdom of humility: it is better to be humble than humiliated (lowest place … move up higher; cf. Prov. 25:6–7). will be humbled … will be exalted (cf. Luke 18:14). As the parable shows, sometimes this happens even in this life, but it will take place most fully at the final judgment. -ESVSB-

12-14 - Jesus' mission came directly to the poor, humble, broken, and needy.

16-20 - Jesus has invited people into the kingdom banquet, but they had rejected the invitation on behalf of economics, other relationships, emotions, etc. So Jesus...

21-24 - Calls those who will come. Those who are in need of a Savior. Many of the people before will be excluded.

26 - misunderstood passage at times - Jesus is saying that He must be above all. All relationships/circumstances/areas need to be first given over to Jesus. A disciple would normally leave their family/homes/jobs to follow their Rabbi. Jesus is saying that the same sort of dedication and even more is required to become His disciple. All areas of our lives are to be handed over.

27 - die to self-will and embrace God's will

28-32 - Jesus is not desiring us to make a hasty decision. He wants us to look at what exactly we are being called to, count the cost, and than decide. Will we persevere?

34 - if salt has lost its taste. Most salt came from the Dead Sea and contained impurities (carnallite and gypsum). If not processed properly, it would have a poor taste and would be worse than useless, being unusable for food and creating a disposal problem. If the conditions of discipleship (26–27, 33) are not kept, the disciples likewise will become less than worthless (cf. Rev. 3:15–17). -ESVSB-

15

1-2 - Jesus' ministry was not always popular among the "learned/educated/religious" crowd. Jesus hung out with sinners, tax collectors (robbers), and other outcasts of society.

4-6 - Leaves all other sheep for one, Searches as long as it takes to find the sheep, carries the sheep because it is too weak, rejoices with friends over the sheep's return.

7 - This is a contrast of people believing they are religious and in no need of repentance, and those that are lost and need to be found...When they are, there is much rejoicing!

Prodigal Son/God

*First, I encourage you to read "The Prodigal God" by Tim Keller. This book focuses exclusively on this set of passages and gives great insight into the many facets of this parable. Check out this website for more: http://www.theprodigalgod.com/ Books/Podcasts/Sermons/etc

*One Comment from TimKeller: "I don't know why over the years our interpretation of the Luke 15:11ff parable has focused so much on the younger brother. Even if you just count the verses it is clear that his part is only about half the story. If you read the parable in its context--Luke 15:1-3--it is clear that Jesus was directing the parable at Pharisees, 'elder brothers', who hated Jesus warm reception of tax collectors and sinners, 'younger brothers.' So the fate and decision of the elder brother is the real climax of the story. (And it is a cliff-hanger--we never find out how the Pharisee/elder brother responds.) Dick Lucas once preached a sermon on this parable entitled 'Jesus Pleads with His Critics'! In this parable Jesus is speaking to the people who will eventually kill him, yet he, through the father in the story, comes out and beg the Pharisee/elder brothers to relent and come in to the feast of salvation. I find that so moving. Dick Lucas, Ed Clowney and others showed me that the parable is about both brothers and especially the elder."

*The parable focuses not on one main character but 3: son, older brother, & the father.