Monday, December 16, 2024

Advent Readings: Luke 14

 Luke 14

The chapter begins with a story of Jesus healing of a person with dropsy on Shabbat. This is not the first time when He attempts to heal someone on the Sabbath. The first ones were met with hostility and resistance (Lk. 6:6-11). This time the scenery is a bit different – Jesus addresses the lawyers (the specialists in Torah) and Pharisees with a question: is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? His question was met with silence. They were thinking… Thinking about the question, thinking about a chance to get upset the crowds, thinking about Jesus’ status (I hope…).

To help them Jesus shares two parables: the parable of the wedding feast (Lk. 14:7-11) and the parable of the great banquet (Lk. 14:12-24). The first one addresses the issue of status. People of Greko-Roman culture would sit at the table according to the level of their relationship with the host. The most honorable guest would have a seat right next to him on the right side. Then – let’s say A- guest – would sit closest to the host on the left. And so on and so forth…

Jesus didn’t go against the custom of the day, but he presents a parabolic commentary on Proverbs 25:6-7. The place at the table should not be taken based on self-assessment of a person (or high self-esteem) but based on one’s humility. And if a host would desire to elevate one to another position – so, be it. If not, not – the humility prevails, and the guest ends up in a win-win situation. But there is more to the lesson than a mere promotion of practical psychology skills. What Jesus teaches his listeners is the fact that in the presence of God we all should exercise humility but not pride (cp. James 4:10).

The second parable is even more to the point, building up the tension to another level. If the first one leaves any sense of worthiness on a part of a man in the presence of God, the second one leave no foundational stone for a human pride. For the man who set great banquet is the Son of Man – Jesus. He is the One who invites the people, while they decline shielding themselves with excuses (many of these excuses are compatible to being excused of a military draft, cp. Deuteronomy 24:5). Again, Jesus presents his parable in front of “lawyers” and Pharisees – they know Torah, and they totally understand catch “His drift” so to speak, when he brings up these examples.

The worst thing for his immediate listeners is the final statement of the Lord: “For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet’ (Lk. 14:24). Unlike those who didn’t see themselves worthy and jump on the opportunity to be at the Great Banquet, the listeners of Jesus ended up outside of the fellowship with the LORD. How sad… Being raised in the tradition instituted by God Himself, being knowledgeable of the statutes and rulings of God, being the attentive listeners of the Messiah, and yet, ending up outside of the Banquet…

May His grace continue in us, delivering us safely to the heavenly realms (Philippians 1:6).

No comments:

Post a Comment

PSALM 117

All nations praise the L ORD . Only two lines – but such a deep meaning. Allow me to walk you through. v. 1a. Praise the L ORD , all nat...