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…
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