Heals a man with Dropsy

Jesus under the watching eye again (Lk14:1-7)

It’s the Sabbath and Jesus is invited; invited with an agenda (v.1); interesting fact you may notice Jesus heals on the Sabbath. It is seen seven times in all.

Jesus healing on the Sabbath

Simon’s mother in law - Lk4:38

Man with withered hand - Lk6:6

Woman bent over 18yrs - Lk13:13

Healing of paralytic at pool - Jn5:9

Man born blind - Jn9:14

Demon possessed man in synagogue - Mk1:21

This story before us today - Lk14:1-6

Jesus interactions in this chapter

Addresses the Pharisees (vv.2-6)

The guests (vv.7-11)

The Host (vv.12-14)

The man with interruption (vv.15-24)

The crowd (vv.25-34) -future study

When addressing the Pharisee; He is responding to what the Pharisee was thinking, watching for, not what the Pharisee said. Remember Jesus knows the heart

Jesus never turned down an invitation even knowing the heart; We cannot impact the heart if we are not there with the heart. We need to accept invitations too.

What was the question Jesus asks in (v.3)? - and is it legal under the Jewish law?

Jesus healed him and sent him on his way (v.4)

Jesus now addresses the crux of the matter (v.5) - the same tradition that calls healing a work and is illegal on the Sabbath states an animal that has fallen into a pit on the Sabbath could be rescued. A person stealing an egg of spotted owl can be imprisoned for 5 years, but a person who aborts a baby nothing can be said or done about it.

It’s not our rules but our love that will impact people - no rules, no regulations, no pseudo-spirituality (Religion) will impact people, it is our love, our compassion, our desire to help those in need that leaves people in wonder and silence

The Guests - What position do you take (Lk14:7-11) -Jesus chose an illustration to point to an eternal truth about humility. -People are more concerned about being in the right place instead of being in the company of the right person (Jesus).

Discussion point

How can we retain our humility?

Retain it by realizing the facts

Retain it when compare the Perfect with our imperfection

When we see our unworthiness and compare to His radiance our pride will be diminished

The Host - who you invite matters (Lk14:12-14) - Don’t just invite those who are “in” invite those who are “out” the outcasts too.

Jesus addresses the heart of giving

One may give from sense of duty (like taxes)

One may give

One may give for self-interest (I do and they will do in return)

One may give to feel superior (or as position of control/power)

One may give because he cannot not give (this is the cheerful giver)

The Interruption and other guests (Lk14:15-24) -can you feel the tension in the room after that? - Pharisee’s/lawyers put in place. Host and the guests have been rebuked/corrected.

The players in the parable- can you pick them out?

The Master - Is God (aka the man, v.16) also see (v.22)

Original invited guests - The Jews (v.17)

The poor people - sinners welcomed by Jesus (v.21)

Those on roads and the hedges - the Gentiles (v.23)

The excuses, what were they?

One bought land (v.18) - don’t allow business to take the place/position of God in your life

One bought oxen (v.19) - Don’t let something new, something novel keep you from seeing the eternal

One got married (v.20) - Don’t let a relationship keep you from the most important relationship, the one with God

Closing thoughts?

We are invited to the greatest banquet of them all, the wedding supper of the Lamb; we should be filled with joy that we get to invite our friends too.