Author: Bill Hall

When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t sit in the place of honor, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host.

Luke 14:8 CSB

Jesus launched into this discourse for two reasons. First, it was good advice for the self-aggrandizing Pharisees. But second, He Himself was likely set in a place of honor. There may have been those present who felt they should be either closer to Him, or in His place.

Pride of place was a big deal in Jewish society, and Jesus wanted to teach these men what true and undefiled religion is all about. In fact, religion has over the years been used to justify so much that is wrong and evil, I generally avoid the word. True religion is nothing like what most people envision when they think of the religious elite that we see in our world even today.

Heavenly Father, You are amazing beyond all of our wildest imaginations. You can do all and yet have chosen certain things to do that astound us. Your unselfish faithfulness and tender love is overwhelmingly wonderful! Thank You for Your work in our lives through Christ. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

He told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves:

Luke 14:7 CSB

Nothing escapes the Lord’s notice. And, He is always looking to teach us something. The Pharisees made sure they got the best seats, and Jesus saw the perfect opportunity to teach them a lesson in humility.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the comfort of Your Word! As we look and see evil people prosper we need not be bitter. Instead, we should take great comfort from knowing You and Your plans for Your people. To be in Your care and have You for our constant Hope and Defender is of inestimable worth! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

They could find no answer to these things.

Luke 14:6 CSB

Notice how Luke words this. The couldn’t find an answer. This doesn’t mean there was no answer, just that the Pharisees couldn’t find it. They were blind to the truth.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sight! Only by the power of Your Holy Spirit may we see anything. Your goodness and truth are our constant companions. To contemplate You and Your glory is the joy of my heart. You alone are worthy of our highest thoughts. Thank You for being Who You are! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And to them, he said, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?”

Luke 14:5 CSB

Jesus is very good, of course, at getting people to think about their inconsistency. The Pharisees were just looking for things to pick at, and as a result questioned Jesus healing people on the Sabbath. This comment from Christ simply illustrates the stupidity of their accusations.

Heavenly Father, I can never praise You enough! Every breath is a reminder of Your blessings. Christ knows every pain and sees every hurt. Thank You for life in Him! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But they kept silent. He took the man, healed him, and sent him away.

Luke 14:4 (CSB)

They were speechless because they didn’t want to say anything. They were so afraid of Jesus, and the common people, that they did not dare to speak. Hypocrisy will often lead to this brand of speechless response.

Heavenly Father, thank You for this day, and thank You for Your great glory and goodness. You are amazing, and worthy of our praise! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

In response, Jesus asked the law experts and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”

Luke 14:3

Jesus is not afraid. He did not always tackle His detractors this way, but He didn’t hesitate. He laid it on the line, and clarified the issue. Very often the direct approach is frustrating to those who have a hypocritical or inconsistent interpretation of the law.

Heavenly Father, You are never inconsistent, and You are always faithful! Forever I will sing Your praise and preach Your truth. Lord, You are the reason for all that we do. Life in You is life worth living. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

There in front of him was a man whose body was swollen with fluid.

Luke 14:2

The Pharisees may very well have brought this man to Jesus intentionally. And they may very well have invited Him on the Sabbath for this purpose as well.

We don’t know the exact malady of this individual. Edema can be caused by many things. Heart failure or kidney disease are two possibilities. So it is quite possible that this man’s healing didn’t just relieve him of agony, but also saved his life.

Heavenly Father, thank You for saving our lives by the blood of Christ! Only through Him can we have hope. Your glory and grace and love are astounding. Forever I will be awed by Your willingness to send Jesus for us. Your glory knows no bounds! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

One Sabbath, when he went in to eat at the house of one of the leading Pharisees, they were watching him closely.

Luke 14:1

We often talk about why Jesus went to eat with the Pharisees. But why would a leading Pharisee have him in his house? There are a couple of reasons. First, the Pharisees always wanted to look good in the eyes of the people. Jesus was a visible figure. They couldn’t afford to ignore Him. It was a ‘hold you enemies closest’ situation.

Secondly, there were many of the Pharisees that were at least partially persuaded by Christ. Nicodemus surely was. Gamaliel might have been, but we don’t know for sure. And though his conversion was not till later, Paul also was a Pharisee. Some of the objections to Christ from the Pharisees came not because they hated Him, but because they didn’t fully understand Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your wisdom, love, truth, and kindness. We are awed by Your grandeur. So many people worship Your creation. But You are far more amazing than it could ever be, even if it were once again perfect! You are the All-Powerful ONE. I love You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

See, your house is abandoned to you. I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’!

Luke 13:35

That day will come, but at a great cost. The story of the Bible is not a record of obedience, but of the Lord’s faithfulness.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your ongoing faithfulness! Your immutability is always a comfort to us. We can always know who You are, and we can know Your works. Your Grace is amazing because You are amazing! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Luke 13:34

Of all the cities in all the world Jerusalem has the biggest reason to be filled with those faithful to the LORD. And yet, it has so often in its history been filled with the unbelieving.

We see here the will of the Lord. And yet, it is not His determined will, but His pure will. He has determined to allow people to reject Him. But He desires them to accept Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your graciousness and goodness! Lord, Your wisdom in how You have planned everything is amazing to us. We are glad to know that it is Your will for all of us to belong to You for all of eternity. Many will not believe, but that is only because in Your wisdom You have chosen to allow it to happen that way. It is for Your Glory, we must understand it as such. Thank You for being the glorious God of all! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.