MARCH 23 READINGS…LUKE 14
In our reading today Jesus turned the table on the Pharisees by asking them a question. Usually, it was the Pharisees that asked Jesus questions to try and trap Him, and make Him look bad in the eyes of the people. Jesus always responded in a way to reveal the folly of their attempt to expose Him as a fraud…He showed that they were the actual frauds. Jesus asked them about whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus did this in the setting of coming upon a man with dropsy on the Sabbath…the Pharisees remained silent toward Jesus, so Jesus healed the man and sent him on his way. Jesus again spoke to the Pharisees with an illustration about the common sense of a person having an animal who finds itself in trouble by falling into a pit…Jesus questioned them as to which one of them would not go ahead and pull the animal out, even on the Sabbath. Again, the refused to answer Jesus. It’s clear that if such was lawful…then how much more would it be lawful to help a human when they are in trouble, even on the Sabbath.
The rest of chapter 14 records for us the teachings of Jesus. He gives a parable of an ambitious guest who comes into a wedding feast and takes the seat in the best seat. Unfortunately, that seat was not for him…so the host had him move for the person who was to sit in the seat. Don’t assume with God…He is the Lord, and He decides who does what, and who holds what place. Then Jesus gives the parable of the great supper. There were invitations that were sent out to many. Many of those invited came up with excuses as to why they could not come to the feast. The giver of the feast sent his servants out to invite and invite everyone, even those who were not originally invited. Jesus speaks this parable to the religious leaders who would reject the Lord. Then Jesus taught on discipleship, the cost of discipleship, and making sure one has made a proper evaluation of who they are and the resources they possessed.
Please share your thoughts from today’s readings.
TOMORROW’S READING…LUKE 15