View Site Map

 

Luke Chapter 14

>> Click Here For Audio Version << 
 

Luke 14 Outline:
14:01-06 Jesus heals a man with dropsy.
14:07-14 How to act when invited to a banquet.
14:15-24 People invited began to make excuses.
14:25-33 The cost of discipleship.
14:34-35 The salt of the earth.

Fun Facts:
— Salt in ancient Palestine was far from pure what was left may not taste like salt at all.

Study Notes:
Luke 14:1-6 Dropsy is fluid retention and swelling, usually the symptoms of a disease in the vital organs where excess fluid collects in various parts of the body. Having a dinner on the sabbath required preparing the meal the day before so this was a planned event with guests. The enemies of Jesus were there and watching Him closely. It is possible that the man was with dropsy was a trap set by Jesus’ enemies who hoped that He would break the law on the sabbath.

Jesus asked them “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” but they were silent. To the Pharisees it was an awkward question because there was nothing in the law of Moses that prevented healing on the Sabbath day, but their rabbinic regulations they cultivated forbid healing on the Sabbath unless there was danger to life. Approving the healing would show them soft on the law, but disapproving would show them indifferent to suffering, so they remained silent. Jesus healed the man. Even the law of Moses permitted healing the Sabbath, but the tradition of man did not. It is man that tries to put God into a box of rules, but they only succeed in putting themselves in there. Don’t go beyond the word of God into legalism, it is easier to do than you think.

Luke 14:7-14 Jesus watched how the people came in and chose the best seats for themselves and gave a lesson humility. It would be better to choose the lowest place first because the only way that he can go is up. If you choose the top, the only place that you can go is down. If we follow the advice of Jesus, we can only be promoted. He went onto tell the host that his guest list should not only include friends, as there was no reward in that. Jesus encouraged him to invite those that could not pay him back, could not afford the meal, and God would pay him back.

Luke 14:15-24 Jesus tells a story about a man that made a great supper and invited many people. But when he told them it was ready, they all began to make excuses. One had to look after a field, another had bought some oxen, the last had gotten married. The field would still be there, the oxen would still be there, and the marriage excluded a man from serving in the military for the first year, but was not an excuse to miss the dinner that he had agreed to attend. The invitation had went out earlier, this message was that it was now ready. When the people would not come, the master of the feast became angry and sent his servant to invite the poor, the maimed, the blind and the lame, but there was still room. Then they went into the highways and the hedges to fill the banquet.

This is a reference to the church. Jesus was sent to the Jews first, but the religious elite refused Him. Therefore God would bring in others, both those inside the city (Jews) and those outside of the city (Gentiles). Also the servant did not complete inviting the highways and hedges (Gentiles) as this happened after Jesus ascended. Bringing in the gentiles was still in the future when Jesus spoke the parable. God invites us, man can choose to attend or not. A day is coming when the door will be shut and it will be too late to change your mind. Those originally invited would not come, but God will fill His heaven with others that will.

Luke 14:25-33 Discipleship means giving one’s first loyalty. Jesus never taught hate. We are to even love our enemies (6:27) and pray for them. To me this verse means “Love them less than Jesus.” He is to be first and foremost in our life. We love our families but our loyalty is to God and His word. If we have to make a choice between them, we choose God. We have to keep our priorities in order.

Jesus wants disciples who have counted the cost beforehand and willingly pay the price, not just an emotional reaction that fades the following day. He said clearly that whoever will not bear their own cross and come after Him, cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:27). He will not allow them to. They can call Him “Lord Lord” but He does not know them. There is no half-hearted effort allowed.

Luke 14:34-35 Jesus said that salt is good, but salt that has lost its flavor is worthless and thrown out. He told this parable while speaking about counting the cost of being His disciple. A disciple of Jesus that has lost their saltiness, is useless as a disciple and will be thrown out. There is no room for being lukewarm in the Kingdom of God.

Study Questions: (if your answers are very long, you may want to type them first in something like Word or Notepad, which doesn't require an Internet connection, then copy and paste (Ctrl-A to select, Ctrl-V to copy, Ctrl-V to paste), to prevent mishaps. Also, there is a 3K character limit, so if they are super long, feel free to post more than once, and just answer a couple of questions at a time. Also, you are welcome to post any questions you may have. We look forward to your thoughts!)

1. As in the last chapter (Luke 13:10-17), Jesus once again addressed the question, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” (Luke 14:3). What does Jesus’ answer tell you about the quality of His mercy?

2. Jesus said in Luke 14:11, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” In what ways can we remember to keep this mindset, which is contrary to what many in the world wish to glorify?

3. In the parable in which guests were invited to a “great supper” and made excuses when it was time to attend, the “master of the house became angry”. How can we better stay in tune with God’s callings on our life?

4. In Luke 14:33, Jesus declared, “So therefore whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple.” Clearly, He is talking about a great price. What does this verse mean to you?