14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. Luke 14
Would you have invited Jesus to dinner – then be prepared for questions and challenges! The rabbis of the day taught by questioning their students.
The Pharisees (the name derived from the Greek for Separate, they kept themselves apart to remain ritually Clean) were always on the lookout for something with which they could accuse Jesus AND HIS FOLLOWERS. Jesus didn’t modify His behaviour in the least, even in a house full of them.
3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’ 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Luke 14
They didn’t agree with what Jesus did but they wouldn’t come right out and say so. Silence doesn’t always mean consent, they couldn’t make a case to oppose Him. Jesus finished this part of the narrative by highlighting situations when they themselves would break the Sabbath.
5 Then he asked them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?’ 6 And they had nothing to say. Luke 14
Jesus then made a further observation about the seating arrangements around the dinner table, no doubt just as unwelcome to the religious. They probably thought they were on safe ground in the Pharisee’s house and because of numbers, but Jesus still spoke of their self-centredness.
7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: 8 ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, “Give this person your seat.” … 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 14
He further remarked regarding the feast he attended, about the attitude behind it and who was invited. A major problem for those who complained that He ate with tax collectors and sinners. Inviting the rich and influential in hope of some repayment might be favourable in this world but would disqualify from any reward in the world to come.
13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’
The Religious had more than the food on the table to chew on when they invited Jesus into their midst and I’m sure He would still try and highlight similar attitudes in His Church. Only two of the churches in Revelation, persecuted believers, escaped the need of correction.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.