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.