Lesson 21
I.
Observation
A.
Outline
Healing A Man with Dropsy on the
Sabbath (14:1-6)
Humility and Exaltation (14:7-11)
Inviting the Needy (14:12-14)
Parable of the Great Supper
(14:15-24)
Cost of Being A Disciple
(14:25-35)
B.
Key Words/Phrases
Sabbath, lawful, heal, invited,
best/lowest, shame/glory, exalts/humbles, repaid, kingdom of God, excuses, go
out quickly.
II.
Segment Analysis
1. Although Jesus used the
healing as an occasion to teach his adversaries, He healed the man with dropsy
out of His concern and love for the man. The example of immediately pulling the
fallen donkey or ox out of the pit on the Sabbath implies that the man’s need
for healing was just as, if not more, urgent. It would not have been right to
wait for another day to heal him. According to the Lord Jesus, refraining from
saving lives is as evil as destroying lives (6:9).
2. As in 13:15-16, the Lord
exposed the hypocrisy of the lawyers and Pharisees, who did not hesitate to
help a fallen livestock on the Sabbath but condemned helping the needy.
Furthermore, Jesus demonstrated that just as the law permitted helping an
animal on the Sabbath, it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath.
3a. Exalting yourself (11).
3b. Being exalted.
4. Jesus’ parable teaches us to
view modestly of ourselves and take the lowly position. Humility begins with a
proper view of ourselves (Rom 12:3). We ought to consider others better than
ourselves (Php 2:3) and view ourselves as servants to all (Mk 9:35). Instead of thinking too
highly of ourselves, we should let God evaluate us and grant us the honor (Jas
4:10; 1Pet 5:6).
6. The kind of people we
associate with indicates how we view ourselves. It takes humility to invite the
lowly and the needy (cf. Rom 12:16; Mt 18:2-5).
7. The reward from men is
immediate but has little value. The reward from God in the future is much
greater.
9. After the Lord taught the
people about honor and reward from God, this man realized that being able to
enjoy the banquet in God’s kingdom is the greatest blessing. The banquet refers
to God’s saving grace (cf. Isa 55:1-2) as well as the final banquet at the
coming of Jesus Christ (Rev 19:7-9).
12. The refusal of the guests to
attend the banquet was an insult to the host.
13. 1. The call to preach the
gospel is urgent (notice the word “quickly” in 21). The time is short and there
is still much room to be filled, we must make preaching our priority. 2. We
must go and bring the gospel message to every corner, inviting everyone we meet
to hear the salvation of Christ.
14. See 21 and 23. The poor and
outcasts may represent those who were regarded to have no place in God’s salvation
plan (such as the Gentiles and “sinners”). Because those who knew the law of
God rejected the salvation of Christ, the grace of God went to others instead.
15. They must hate their fathers,
mothers, wives and children, brothers and sisters, and even their own lives
(26). They must bear their cross and come after the Lord (27). They must count
the cost and forsake all (28-33).
16. The word “hate” is a relative
term (cf. Rom 9:13). We are not to hate anyone (1Jn 2:9,11; 3:15; 4:20),
including our enemies (Lk 6:35). It is also our Christian duty to provide for
our family (1Tim 5:8). The Lord’s command does not promote hatred but teaches
us that loving the Lord must always come before our love for our family and our
personal needs.
16b. Whenever serving Christ and
the wishes of our family pose a conflicting demand, we need to sacrifice the
wishes of our family to carry out the Lord’s will (cf. Lk 12:51-53). Likewise,
we need to deny ourselves of our desires and ambitions because they are
contrary to God’s will and undermine our motivation to serve God.
17. The man condemned to
crucifixion would be forced to take up his cross. This command means being
ready to go through suffering and death for Christ. It involves putting to
death the sinful nature (Rom 8:1; Gal 5;24; 6:14).
18. We must know that following
Christ takes total dedication. Only if we surrender ourselves completely to the
will of Christ will we persist in our faith to the end.
19. Forsaking all means giving up
the right of ownership. As disciples, we do not own our possessions, including
our lives and bodies (1Cor 6:19). Since the Lord is the owner, we must use all
that we have for Christ’s sake.
20. They are the “unprofitable
servants” who do not carry out the master’s will (Mt 25:30). Like the tasteless
salt, such people will will be cast out.