Scripture reading – Luke 14; Luke 15
Luke 14 – A Lesson in Humility
We find recorded in Luke 14, “The Parable of a Great Wedding Banquet” (Luke 14:7-14), that encouraged humility and cautioned those inclined to pride and selfish ambition. A second parable, “The Parable of a Great Supper” (Luke 14:15-24), portrayed a great banquet where God is the host and invites the righteous to supper. Tragically, those first invited (i.e., the proud, self-righteous religious leaders) refused the LORD’s invitation (Luke 14:18-21a).
A second invitation was then sent to those who were not first invited, “the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.” (those would have been considered outcasts by the proud Pharisees and unworthy of the invitation, Luke 14:21). When the servant announced to His master there was yet room at his supper, he sent the servant out a third time 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” (Luke 14:23).
Closing thoughts –
Luke 14 concludes with a lesson concerning the cost and qualities of being a disciple of Christ (Luke 14:25-33). The first quality of a disciple stems from his love for Christ. A true disciple’s love is so great that all other loves and relationships pale in comparison (Luke 14:26). Also, a disciple’s life is defined by sacrifice – literally “taking up a stake” [cross] and following (Luke 14:27). Lastly, two illustrations encouraged believers to sit down and count the cost of following Christ (Luke 14:28-32) and remind us that a sincere disciple forsakes all (Luke 14:33).
Luke 15
Notice the premise for the parables recorded in Luke 15 was the Pharisees’ and Scribes’ observation that Christ “receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:2). While the publicans and sinners “drew near…to hear Him,” the proud and self-righteous did not hesitate to find fault with Jesus. (Luke 15:1).
Luke 15 records three stories in answer to the murmurings of the Pharisees and scribes. Together (in my opinion), they form one parable that reveals God’s love for sinners. The three stories are “The Lost Sheep and the Searching Shepherd,” “The Lost Coin and the Searching Woman,” and “The Prodigal Son and the Seeking Father.”
“The Lost Sheep and the Searching Shepherd” (Luke 15:2-7)
Four verbs give us a simple outline for this story: Lose, Seek, Find, and Rejoice. A shepherd had one hundred sheep; however, he realized one was lost when he gathered them into a fold. Though ninety-nine were safe, the shepherd longed to find the lost sheep (Luke 15:4). Leaving his sheep with another, the shepherd went into the wilderness to seek the one that was lost (Luke 15:4). When he found the lost sheep, he laid it upon his shoulder, went home and invited his friends to rejoice with him (Luke 15:5).
So, heaven rejoices when a lost sinner repents (Luke 15:7).
“The Lost Coin and the Searching Woman” (Luke 15:8-10)
The second story was about a woman who had “ten pieces of silver” and realized one was lost (Luke 15:8). She could not rest until she had lighted a candle, took up a broom, and began sweeping her house, searching diligently until she found the coin. Finding the coin, she called “her friends and her neighbors together” and said, “Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost” (Luke 15:9).
Understanding the inestimable value of a lost soul, Jesus proposed to His audience, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).
“The Prodigal Son and the Seeking Father” (Luke 15:11-32)
The parable of The Prodigal Son is the third story in our parable and reminds us of God the Father’s love for sinners (Luke 15:11-32). Notice that the story has three main characters: A loving father, a prodigal son who is the younger, and the eldest son, who is proud and unforgiving. Because the tale is so well-known, I will limit my observations to a few remarks.
As you read the drama between the father and his sons, notice the parallel between the actors in the parable and those mentioned in Luke 15:1-2. The “publicans and sinners” whom Christ received were like the rebellious younger son, who “wasted his substance with riotous living… began to be in want,” and yet was accepted by the Father (Luke 15:1, 14).
The Pharisees and scribes (Luke 15:2), like the elder brother who refused to accept his younger brother, resented and criticized Jesus for receiving and eating with sinners (Luke 15:2, 28-30).
We identify in the prodigal’s father, the grace and mercy of our heavenly Father. He received his younger son, forgave him, and restored him as a son, even as Christ offers salvation and forgiveness to sinners (Luke 15:2b, 20-24).
Lesson: Jesus is approachable to all who humbly and sincerely seek Him.
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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