September 26, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Luke Chapter 14

1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

6 And they could not answer him again to these things.

7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them.

8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction:

Luke chapter 14 addresses various themes that are crucial for understanding Jesus’ teachings on humility, hospitality, calling, and discipleship. Through healing, parables, and teachings, Jesus reveals the deeper meaning of love, self-denial, and living in the Kingdom of God. Particularly, the challenge of discipleship is emphasized, where Jesus uses clear and sometimes harsh words to highlight to his listeners the costs and sacrifices that come with following him.

Commentary:

The chapter begins with the healing of a man with dropsy on the Sabbath, once again demonstrating that Jesus does not view the sanctity of the Sabbath as a restriction on exercising mercy. He poses a challenging question to the Pharisees about whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Their silent response reveals their inability to grasp Jesus’ complete perspective on love and the law. Here, Jesus clarifies that the Sabbath should not be an obstacle to doing good but an opportunity to show God’s compassion.

In the following parables, Jesus teaches about humility and true greatness. The parable of the wedding banquet illustrates that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Jesus emphasizes that those who push forward in life to gain honor often end up in shame, while those who humble themselves are ultimately lifted up. This is a profound lesson on the value of modesty in dealing with others and in the presence of God.

The parable of the great banquet addresses the Kingdom of God and shows how many invited guests decline the invitation due to worldly concerns, thereby rejecting the call. Instead, the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame are invited, demonstrating that God’s Kingdom is open to those willing to accept the invitation. This highlights the theme of God’s universal invitation but also underscores the danger of rejecting it due to worldly priorities and indifference.

Jesus then speaks about the stringent requirements of discipleship. The strong words “whoever does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—cannot be my disciple” do not advocate literal hatred but emphasize the necessity for Christ to be the foremost priority in a disciple’s life. Discipleship requires sacrifice, self-denial, and the willingness to carry one’s own cross. Those who do not completely relinquish everything they have cannot be Jesus’ disciples. These statements illustrate that discipleship is a radical commitment that affects every aspect of one’s life.

Finally, the chapter underscores the importance of perseverance and wisdom in following Christ by using the examples of a man building a tower and a king going to war. In both cases, thorough preparation and consideration are necessary. This emphasizes that discipleship is a well-thought-out decision and should not be undertaken lightly.

Summary:

Luke chapter 14 illuminates how Jesus conveys the fundamental values of humility, mercy, and discipleship. Through the parable of the wedding banquet and teachings on the Sabbath, Jesus reminds us that God does not judge by external worldly standards but by the humility of the heart. He demonstrates that true discipleship requires sacrifice and that everything else in life, including family and possessions, must take a backseat to Christ. The chapter concludes with a clear admonition: following Christ is not an easy path, but those who are willing to embark on this journey will attain eternal life.

Introduction:

In Chapter 65, we witness a pivotal event from the life of Jesus, where He once again cleanses the temple of unholy business dealings. This scene highlights the sanctity of the temple as a place of worship and demonstrates Jesus’ commitment to true worship. At the same time, Jesus reveals Himself as the divine King and Judge, fighting against hypocrisy and corruption in the temple, while the Jewish leaders grow increasingly hostile towards Him.

Commentary:

The cleansing of the temple is a powerful symbol of purity and respect in worship. Jesus demonstrates that true worship is not about outward rituals, but about obedience and a sincere heart. By driving out the merchants and healing the sick within the temple, He reveals the contrast between His mission of healing and the greed of the religious leaders. This act of Jesus serves as a profound warning to all believers not to honor God merely through rituals, but through lives that embody love, justice, and compassion. The hypocrisy of the priests, who rejected Jesus’ authority, is an example of how the religious elite can reject spiritual truths.

Summary:

The second cleansing of the temple underscores Jesus’ role as the divine King and Judge, who purifies the temple of corruption and restores it as a place of true worship. His actions show that God values obedience and a sincere heart over ritual sacrifices. The response of the religious leaders, who opposed Him, symbolizes the rejection of divine truth and serves as a serious warning. Jesus’ parables, such as the one about the cornerstone, call for repentance and illustrate that Christ is the central foundation of our faith—the rock upon which we must build.

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