Luke 14

     14:1-6.  The Sabbath issue was a running controversy between Jesus and the Pharisees (e.g. Luke 13:10-17).  With their propensity to apply priestly rules for cleanness to everyday life, and to build a moat of self-made rules around the actual law, they were hard to please.  But the Sabbath issue seemed to be their favorite minefield.  Jesus countered in two ways in this passage.  First, the astonishing divine authority he exhibited to reverse the effects of sin and misery that afflict the race of Adam.  In this case, a man with dropsy (abundant fluid retention) was instantly and very visibly healed.  His works bore witness that the Father had sent him (cf. Mt.11:4; John 10:25, 38, etc.).  Second, the force of reason.  Why does the law exist; to enslave, or set free?  The application of the law must never violate its spirit and purpose.  Jesus’ argument silenced, but did not please them, especially since he did not hesitate to expose their own hypocrisy.

     14:7-24.  Jesus entertained the guests at the table with parables and principles of the kingdom of God, which no one seemed to mind very much, at least to v.14.  Like all of us, they most naturally applied these things to others rather than themselves.  But the lesson of the slighted invitation (15-24) must have caused discomfort, for whatever else these men might have been, they were not stupid.  Jesus was clearly telling them that their worldliness (!) was causing them rudely to refuse God’s gracious invitation to come to the great feast.  Not only that, but those they despised and looked down on would not only come, but be compelled to come (23) as a result, and they themselves would never taste of it (cf.1 Cor.1:18-31 “. . . chose not many wise or noble, etc).

     14:25-35.  The multitudes clambering to follow Jesus on his way to Jerusalem were an example of the above.  But Jesus tells them that to be his disciples they must hate their families, and even their own lives (26).  (Hate is often used in the Bible with the sense of unfavored, not despise or wish to destroy, as it always does in English.  E.g., see Gen.29:31 margin.  Jacob “hated” Leah, because he favored Rachel).  They must count the cost.  Can they finish what they start?  Are they really willing to give up everything of their own?  Even the disciples, who had promised to do just that, in the end all left him.  Jesus was going to Jerusalem to do for us what none of us could do.  He who possessed all, gave up all for us.  Yet if we die with him who rose again, all things are ours (cf. Ro. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:14-15).