Scripture reading – Luke 14-15

A Word from the Author

Congratulations to all who have followed my chronological Scripture reading schedule in 2020! Today’s reading assignment and devotional commentary is the three hundredth this year. I pray you have found this journey through the Scriptures spiritually enlightening, and the devotionals a blessing.

Over the years I have found the majority of published daily devotionals to be topical, and lacking in substance. Because my heart is that of a shepherd for the members of Hillsdale Baptist Church, I set my heart this year to lead our church family through a chronological study of the Scriptures. While this discipline continues to be a great joy, it has been labor intensive, yet has been rewarded with readers from around the world.

Thank you for following www.HeartofAShepherd.com. I would love to hear from any who have followed me on this journey through the Bible. You are invited to email me at: HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com.

With the heart of a shepherd,

Travis D. Smith, Senior Pastor

www.HillsdaleBaptist.org

Email – HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com

Some of the most beloved Parables taught by Jesus are found in the Gospel of Luke, chapters 14-15.

Luke 14 – “The Parable of a Great Wedding Banquet” (14:7-14), encouraged humility and cautioned those who are inclined to pride and ambition. “The Parable of a Great Supper” (14:15-24), was a portrait of a great banquet where God is the host and invites the righteous to supper. Sadly, those who were first invited (i.e. proud, self-righteous religious leaders), refused the invitation (14:18-21a), and a second invitation was sent to those who were not first invited, “the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” (14:21). These would have been considered outcasts by the proud Pharisees, and therefore unworthy of the invitation. When the servant announced to His master that there was yet room at the his supper, he sent the servant out again, and commanded him to go outside the house of Israel to the Gentile nations: “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (14:23).

Luke 15 – Illustrates three parables that demonstrate God’s love for lost sinners, and His joy when they are restored to Him.

The “Parable of the Lost Sheep” (15:1-7), the “Parable of the Lost Coin” (15:8-10), and the “Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Self-righteous Eldest Son” (15:11-24) are illustrative of God’s longsuffering and love.

Friend, what a blessed promise! God loves sinners, He seeks them, and when He finds them willing to come to Him, He restores them by extending His mercy, compassion, and saving grace.

Ephesians 2:8–98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Copyright 2020 – Travis D. Smith