I am preaching out of Luke 14 this Sunday and thought I would start a quick thread about this chapter in hopes digging deeper into what the chapter has for us.

"1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way."

As Jesus is walking into this Prominent Pharsees house a man desperately runs to him and asks for healing, Christ turns it into a lesson because He knows He is being watched very carefully. Of course for the Pharisees and Experts of the Law it is taboo to even considering do such a thing since the Good Lord commanded in:

Exodus 31:14 "‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people."

After which Jesus asks a pointed question to show them their hypocricy "5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child[a] or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?”"

Ah this must have been maddening to the Pharisees or at least embarassing. Then as everyone is finding their spot Jesus notices everyone is trying to sit in the seats of honor or the choice seats for a banquet or meal. Its the equivelant of a guest siting in the grooms or brides seat when everyone is at the reception.

Jesus tells them of a better way through parable and He rebukes the host who sent out the invitation to only those who would be able to pay him back by inviting him to one of their parties or with their own wealth or power. Kind of like inviting a friend to the party only because his parents are loaded and so you know you will get a good gift if you invite him.

And now we reach verse 15 which I just love, imagine a man first breaking a major taboo in your culture and then opening rebuking you for something that is common in your culture. I believe after Christ was done speaking there was an ackward silience in the air and this brave soul broke it and tried changing the subject by blurting out "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the Kingdom of God."

Someone had to do it just as it always is with ackward silence Christ takes it and teachs another lesson pointed at the Pharisees. (Continue later I am not done with my study) :)

Any thoughts on this chapter? Feel Free to share them I would love to read them.

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Matthew Guldner