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Luke Chapter Fourteen
Taking The Lowest Place (Lk 14:7-11)
INTRODUCTION
1. We have seen that Jesus did not limit His use of parables to instructing only His disciples: a. He often used them in responding to those who challenged Him... 1) Cf. "The Two Sons" - Mt 21:28-32 2) Cf. "The Wicked Vinedressers" - Mt 21:33-46 3) Cf. "The Wedding Feast" - Mt 22:1-14 b. He also used them in more casual settings... 1) As a guest in a Pharisee's home, cf. "The Two Debtors" - Lk 7:41-43
2) Replying to a lawyer's question, cf. "The Good Samaritan" - Lk10:25-37
3) Responding to a request to settle a family dispute, cf. "The Rich Fool" - Lk 12:13-21
4) In offering His perspective on a calamity, cf. "The Barren FigTree" - Lk 13:6-9
2. It was in another casual setting that we find Jesus using a parable to teach an important lesson... a. The parable is found in Lk 14:7-11 b. It can be called "Taking The Lowest Place the value of humility [Let's being with...] I. ANALYZING THE PARABLE
A. THE SETTING... 1. Jesus had gone to eat at the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on the Sabbath - Lk 14:1a 2. They had watched Him closely - Lk 14:1b a. Perhaps to see if He would heal the man with dropsy? - cf. Lk 14:2 b. Jesus posed a question about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath - Lk 14:3 1) To which they did not respond - Lk 14:4 2) To which they could not respond, after Jesus... a) Healed the man - Lk 14:5 b) Posed another question revealing their inconsistency - Lk 14:6 3. Jesus had also been watching them closely - Lk 14:7 a. He had noted how those invited were selecting the best places to sit 1) It is thought that the seating arrangements at that time may have involved three tables in the shape of a flat-bottomed "U" 2) "The triclinia, or Grecian table, then in use had three sections which were placed together so as to form a flat-bottomed U. The space enclosed by the table was not occupied. It was left vacant that the servants might enter it and attend to the wants of the guests whoreclined around the outer margin of the table."
(MCGARVEY) 3) "The central seat of each of these three sections were deemed a place of honor. This struggle for precedence was a small ambition, but many of the ambitions of ourday are equally small." (MCGARVEY)
b. This petty positioning around the tables prompted Jesus to teach a lesson using a parable... B. THE PARABLE ITSELF... 1. The setting is a wedding feast, a common social event in those days - Lk 14:8 2. Jesus warns against sitting down in the best place - Lk 14:8b-9
a. Someone more honorable may have been invited b. When they arrive, the host will ask you to move c. With shame you will have to move to the lowest place (likely the only place left!) 3. Instead, He counsels them to sit in the lowest place - Lk 14:10
a. That way, the host will come along and say "Friend, go uphigher"
b. So instead of shame, brought about trying to sit in the best place, you will receive glory among those who sit at the table with you 4. Jesus then concludes with this maxim: "For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." - Lk 14:11
a. A "maxim": a fundamental principle, general truth, or rule of conduct b. It was one of our Lord's favorite 1) Used in the parable of "The Pharisee And The Publican" - cf. Lk 18:14 2) Spoken when teaching His disciples not to be like scribes and Pharisees - cf. Mt 23:6-12 c. It is found in the Old Testament - cf. Ps 18:27; Pr 18:12;29:23
d. And repeated in the New Testament - cf. Ja 4:6; 1 Pe 5:5 [Remember that this is a parable; Jesus' purpose is not just to have usfocus on the story (in this case, the advice about attending weddingfeasts), but the main principle illustrated by the parable. With that in mind, here are a few thoughts in regards to...] II. THE PARABLE APPLIED
A. WE LEARN THE DANGER OF PRIDE... 1. The wise man wrote: a. "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit beforea fall." - Pr 16:18
b. "A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spiritwill retain honor." - Pr 29:23
2. The danger of pride is not just in social settings (as per the parable), but in our relationship with God! a. The Lord hates pride - Pr 8:13 b. It is defiles man - Mk 7:21-23 c. It is of the world, not of the Father - 1 Jn 2:15-17 B. WE LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMILITY... 1. The Lord blesses the humble - Ps 25:9; Pr 3:34 2. Humility is a mark of wisdom - Pr 11:2 3. Humility precedes honor like arrogance goes before destruction - Pr 18:12; cf. 22:4 C. THEREFORE, AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST LET US... 1. Be clothed with humility - Co 3:12 2. Be humble before God - 1 Pe 5:6 3. Be humble in our dealings with our brethren in Christ - Ph 2:3 4. Be humble in our dealings with those around us, even those who oppose us - Ti 3:2; 2 Ti 2:24-25 CONCLUSION
1. Through this simple parable, Jesus has taught us a most important truth: the need to be humble in our relations with God and those around us! 2. Humility is not a popular grace in our culture... a. It is considered a sign of weakness by many b. People fear that they will be made a floor mat by others 3. But we must remember that God is watching, and it is He who said: For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble,And to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isa 57:15)
4. If we desire the Lord to dwell with us, then let us walk humbly before Him, as Micah wrote... He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy,And to walk humbly with your God? (Mic 6:8)
May God give us the grace to so walk before Him!
The Great Supper (Lk 14:15-24)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our last study, we found Jesus at the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees... a. He had gone there to eat bread on the Sabbath - Lk 14:1 b. Watched closely by the lawyers and Pharisees who were present, Jesus healed a man with dropsy, and silenced their objections to Him healing on the Sabbath - Lk 14:2-6 c. Noticing how they were choosing the best places to sit, Jesus taught the parable of "Taking The Lowest Place importance of humility - Lk 14:7-11 2. It was on this same occasion that Jesus taught another parable... a. Known as the parable of "The Great Supper", it is recorded in Lk 14:15-24 b. One immediately notices similarities between this parable and the parable of "The Wedding Feast", found in Mt 22:1-14 3. But these parables are not one and the same... a. The occasion is different 1) The parable of "The Wedding Feast" was actually told later in Jesus' ministry, during His final week, and in the Temple 2) The parable of "The Great Supper" was told much earlier, and at the house of the Pharisee b. The application is different 1) The parable of "The Wedding Feast" appears directed more to the nation of Israel King - cf. Mt 22:1-3 2) The parable of "The Great Supper" does not appear to have such a limited focus, thus its application may hit a little closer to home [Since it "hits closer to home", we want to be careful to make whateverapplication of this parable we can. Let's begin with some preliminaryobservations...] I. THE PARABLE ANALYZED
A. THE SETTING... 1. Again, Jesus is eating at the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees, along with a number of lawyers and Pharisees - Lk 14:1-6 a. He had just told the parable of "Taking The Lowest Place - Lk 14:7-11 b. He then tells His host that when he has a dinner or a supper, that he ought to invite those who cannot repay him - Lk 14:12-14 1) Jesus is not saying that we can "never" have our friends, etc., over 2) His language here is similar to that found in Jn 6:27 a) Where, taken literally, one might conclude it is wrong to work for a living b) But the "do not this...but do this" is a grammatical way to stress what should be emphasized c) In this case, spiritual food is more important than physical food d) Another example of this type of language is found in 1 Pe 3:3-4 3) So He is stressing hospitality towards those who cannot repay us in this life 2. Jesus' comments prompt a response from one who heard Him - Lk14:15
a. "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God b. This saying was likely precipitated by Jesus' reference to the being repaid at the resurrection of the just - cf. Lk14:14
c. "The language of Christ implied that God himself would feast those who feasted the poor, and this implication accorded with the Jewish notion that the kingdom of God would be ushered in with a great festival. Inspired by this thought, and feeling confident that he should have been part of the festivities, this guest exclaimed upon the anticipated blessedness." (MCGARVEY)
d. That the speaker would refer to eschatological blessings in the symbolism of a heavenly banquet was not out of place - cf. Mt 8:11-12; Re 19:9 -- It is this comment by the other guest that prompts Jesus to tell another parable... B. THE PARABLE ITSELF... 1. A certain man gives a great supper and extends his invitation - Lk 14:16-17 2. However, those invited began to make excuses... a. One had bought a piece of ground, and said he must go see it - Lk 14:18 b. Another had bought five yoke of oxen, and wanted to test them - Lk 14:19 c. A third said he had married, and could not come - Lk 14:20 3. The master, being angry, sends his servant to go out and invite others... a. At first, the poor, maimed, lame and blind (i.e., social outcasts) - Lk 14:21 b. But there is still room, so the servant is sent out again, to compel those among the highways and hedges to come - Lk 14:22-23
4. But those invited who made excuses would not taste of his supper - Lk 14:24 [Jesus does not explain the meaning of this parable, so we are left onour own. Here are some thoughts in regards to... II. THE PARABLE APPLIED
A. GOD HAS MADE WONDERFUL PROVISIONS FOR THE FUTURE... 1. The great supper likely symbolizes the time after the resurrection - cf. Lk 14:14-15 2. As indicated above, the blessings of the kingdom of heaven in its eternal state are often depicted in the figure of great feast - cf. Mt 8:11-12; Re 19:9 3. Paul writes of the wonderful blessings yet to come - cf. Ep2:7
4. John writes of the vision he saw relating to these blessings - Re 21:1-7, 9-12; 22:1-5 -- Whatever these symbols represent, who would not want to experience it? B. NOT ALL INVITED WILL EXPERIENCE THESE BLESSINGS... 1. God has graciously extended the invitation of salvation, along with its future blessings, to many a. To the Jew first, and also to the Greek (i.e., the Gentiles) - cf. Ro 1:16 b. God certainly desires all to be saved, not wanting any to perish - 1 Ti 2:3-6; Ti 2:11; 2 Pe 3:9 c. And so the invitation has been made to all - cf. Re 22:17 2. Sadly, though, many will not accept the invitation, making excuses instead a. These excuses may involve things that within themselves are noble 1) Such as business responsibilities - cf. Lk 14:18-19 2) Such as family responsibilities - cf. Lk 14:20 b. The problem is that priorities are misplaced, and one should not allow earthly matters to take priority over spiritual matters - cf. Mt 6:33; Lk 10:38-42 C. THOSE WHO WILL EXPERIENCE THE BLESSINGS MIGHT SURPRISE US! 1. Many understand the parable to have initial reference to the offer of the gospel to Gentiles after its rejection by the Jews - e.g., Mt 21:43 2. Others see the reference to the offer of salvation to the publicans and sinners after its rejection by the religious leaders of that day - e.g., Mt 21:31-32 3. Might we not make application to ourselves today? a. Many "in the church" often make excuses for not serving the Lord as they should b. Yet with a spirit of self-righteousness they expect to be "guests at the great supper" c. In the end, though, it will be the humble, often despised yet ever faithful, servants of the Lord who shall "taste my supper" - cf. Lk 14:24 CONCLUSION
1. The Lord has certainly prepared a wonderful "supper", and has extended the invitation to all: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of theLamb." (Re 19:9)
"And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirst come. And whoever desires,let him take the water of life freely." (Re 22:17)
2. The danger is allowing the affairs of life to keep us from accepting this gracious invitation: "But they all with one accord began to make excuses..." (Lk 14:18a ) Are you prone to make excuses in responding to the call of the Lord? May the parable of "The Great Supper" serve as a warning to us all!
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