Today in God's Word—August 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
August 7, Luke 14
Can you sense the irony in the controversies between the Pharisees and Jesus? The one who was holy was judged unholy by people who thought they were holy. The Lawgiver was accused of law-breaking by people who thought they were law-keepers. When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, it was a double insult to them. He was not honoring their tradition, and every public miracle affirmed the truth they were denying. Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. But they sought to discredit and destroy him because he did not fit their theology.
One Sabbath day at a leading Pharisee’s home, where the Jewish leaders were watching, Jesus asked a question to focus the controversy. I doubt the man with dropsy would have been on the Pharisee’s guest list. His condition made him ceremonially unclean, and contact with him would have defiled them, according to their thinking. Was it a set-up, to catch Jesus in another Sabbath violation? Jesus wasn’t seeking a ruling from them when he asked, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” It was time to press the issue, and Jesus would not back down. He healed the fellow and sent him away. Then he exposed their hypocrisy and selfishness by citing their own exception. An emergency (such as an ox in a well) allowed some leniency in the prohibition against working on the Sabbath. The Pharisees couldn’t reply, but it was clear—they cared more about an ox than a person.
Jesus showed the foolish risk of self-promotion by noting some dinner guests clamoring for the best seats. Seeking honor, they were humiliated when the host gave their place to another guest. Perhaps he said this for his disciples’ benefit, too, since they often quarreled about being the greatest in the kingdom. Isn’t it still hard for us to believe what Jesus said about humility being the way to exaltation?
Jesus also unmasked the selfishness of many hosts who seemed to be hospitable and generous when they invited dinner guests. But
the guests were equals who could reciprocate. Jesus advised inviting outcasts, down-on-their- luck poor people who could never repay. He said God would bless and repay such hospitality.
The people who rejected the banquet invitation dishonored the host by their selfishness. The master filled his banquet with people the Pharisees would never invite. The substitute guests could not boast; they were beggars, there only by grace.
Self-preservationists in the crowd found the cost of following Jesus too high. Family, possessions, even one’s own life must come after allegiance to Jesus. It’s tempting to make this denial a nice metaphor, but Jesus’ words are clear. He demands first place love and allegiance. A disciple lacking devotion is like salt lacking saltiness—good for nothing.
The call to selfless surrender still thins the crowd today. We may deceive ourselves, but Jesus knows our hearts and sees if we’re willing
to pay the price to follow him.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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