Luke 14

We see Jesus in Chapter 14 going to a dinner, healing a sick man and attracting large crowds. Each time, he seizes on what's happening to teach and guide the people. The Pharisees and lawyers are watching him closely in v. 1 while the scene is set for another Sabbath healing, just like in 13:10-17. And as he did there, Jesus simply lays out the case for his actions (v. 2-6). Afterwards, he looks around the dinner table to teach about humility (v. 7-11) and explains that blessings flow to those who act without expecting repayment (v. 12-14). I'd like to hear on Sunday how you feel about these teachings.

By now, the sorts of people he suggests inviting to a reception (v. 13) should sound familiar to you. There are echoes of his ministry's purpose in 4:18-21, punctuated throughout the text by the people Jesus has been helping. He illustrates the idea with a parable about an invitation-only dinner in v. 16-24 that builds on the story told in 13:24-30. The parable again turns on its head people's understanding of God's kingdom (v. 15). The initial guests reject the invitation (v. 18-20) and the man throwing the feast turns to (you guessed it) the poor, crippled, blind, lame (v. 21) -- going so far as to compel them to attend (v. 23). What is this all about? Who are these first invited? Who are the eventual attendees? And why can't those first invited ever come back (v. 24)?

This openness to people on the edges of society must have been appealing, based on the crowds that are again following him (v. 25). But Jesus teaches that there's a cost to being his disciple and he's asking people to take this into consideration before signing on (v. 28-32). His words can be hard to hear, as we've seen before. Don't join up unless you hate your family, and even your own life (v. 26). And, by the way, you may come to a violent, torturous end on a cross at the hands of the authorities (v. 27). This is about total commitment, complete surrender to Jesus -- possessions and all (v. 33). A disciple who doesn't take that step is like salt that has lost its flavor -- useless (v. 34-35). What do you think about these words of Jesus?