Luke 14

In Luke 14, Jesus addresses the themes of humility, compassion, and the cost of discipleship. He begins by healing a man on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the law. Jesus then teaches about humility through the parable of the wedding feast and urges compassion in the parable of the great banquet, emphasizing inclusion over exclusivity. He concludes with a sobering message on the cost of discipleship, calling His followers to consider their commitment to Him seriously.

Luke 14:1 (NKJV)
1 Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely.

Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee on the Sabbath, a holy day when strict adherence to the law was expected. The Pharisees watched Him intently, likely with suspicion, as Jesus often challenged their interpretations of the law. His actions in this setting would test the boundaries of tradition and reveal deeper truths about God's mercy.

Luke 14:2-6 (NKJV)
2 And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy.
3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go.
5 Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?”
6 And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees about whether it's lawful to heal on the Sabbath. By healing the man with dropsy, He illustrates that mercy supersedes ritual observance. His analogy to rescuing an animal on the Sabbath exposes the inconsistency in their beliefs and highlights God's desire for compassion over strict legalism.

Luke 14:7-11 (NKJV)
7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them:
8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;
9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.
10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.
11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus observes the guests choosing prominent seats and uses this scene to teach about humility. He encourages His listeners to seek the lower place, allowing others to elevate them if deserved. This approach fosters humility and reflects God’s principle: true honor comes to those who humble themselves, not to those who seek self-exaltation.

Luke 14:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.
13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.
14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Jesus teaches about selfless generosity, instructing the host to invite those who cannot repay him—the poor, disabled, and marginalized. This selflessness aligns with God’s values, as true kindness expects no reward in return. Jesus promises that God Himself will reward such acts in the resurrection of the righteous, highlighting eternal over earthly rewards.

Luke 14:15-24 (NKJV)
15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”
16 Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many,
17 and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’
18 But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’
19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’
20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’
21 So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’
22 And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’
23 Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’”

In response to a comment on eating in God's kingdom, Jesus shares a parable about a banquet where invited guests refuse to attend, making various excuses. The host, angered, invites the marginalized instead, symbolizing God’s invitation to all, especially those often overlooked. The parable stresses the danger of neglecting God’s call for worldly concerns and emphasizes inclusivity in God’s kingdom.

Luke 14:25-27 (NKJV)
25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,
26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Jesus addresses the crowd, presenting a challenging call to discipleship. By “hate,” He means loving God above all else, even family. This devotion requires a willingness to sacrifice personal attachments and comforts, symbolized by bearing one’s cross. Jesus urges His followers to prioritize Him above all, reflecting the depth of commitment He requires.

Luke 14:28-33 (NKJV)
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—
29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Jesus illustrates the cost of discipleship through two parables: a builder and a king. Both count the cost before committing, highlighting the importance of intentionality and sacrifice in following Christ. True discipleship demands a willingness to give up everything, ensuring followers understand the seriousness of their commitment.

Luke 14:34-35 (NKJV)
34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Jesus concludes by comparing disciples to salt, valuable when flavorful but worthless if it loses its purpose. This metaphor warns against half-hearted commitment. Just as salt without flavor is useless, a disciple without true dedication cannot fulfill God’s calling. Jesus calls His listeners to genuine, transformative discipleship.