Tag: Luke 14

Jesus concludes his teaching to the large crowds that followed him. He had been expounding on his claim, “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (27). His concluding remark is, “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It […]

Jesus provides two illustrations to explain and support the truth that I must carry my cross as Jesus bore his cross. The first example illustrates the important preconstruction practice of considering the cost before building. Making and keeping a budget at the get-go with milestones is important for any project. If I do not have […]

Jesus had something to say to the large crowds following him. They needed to know that following him came at a high price. Tolls did not exist on Roman roads. Jesus did not charge a fee to listen to him. No record exists showing he took an offering from anyone. However, there was a price […]

Jesus continued his parable, “The Great Banquet,” explaining what was happening right before the established elite’s eyes and repeating the ancient prophets’ words concerning what was to come. The servant in the parable had just reported to his master the absentee excuses of those who were invited to the banquet. The master, who owned a […]

The people invited to the banquet initially accepted the invitation. But when the time came to attend, all had excuses for why they couldn’t. Their excuses were ridiculous. The first said he just bought a field and must go to see it. Who buys a field without seeing it? And couldn’t seeing a field wait […]

Jesus and his disciples were invited to dinner at the home of a prominent Pharisee. Jesus had been discoursing with the host, teaching him a better way of thinking and life. He concluded a parable about the reward that goes with covert generosity by saying, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the […]

Acts of kindness do not go unnoticed nor unrewarded. Jesus continued teaching the host who disapproved of Jesus’ kind act of healing a man with dropsy on the Sabbath. Jesus switched the subject from humility to being rewarded for acts of kindness. The host, a prominent Pharisee invited Jesus and his disciples to a dinner […]

It is better to be honored by another than to be embarrassed by an honorable host. Jesus’ parable concludes with God’s unchangeable conduct: He is ever abasing the proud and giving grace, honor, and glory to the humble. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” This […]

Jesus was often invited to Pharisee’s houses on the Sabbath. (Luke 7:36, 11:37) This was considered an honor. However, the religious leaders did not honor Jesus in their hearts. They watched him closely hoping to find some reason to discredit him. (Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2; Luke 6:7, 20:20) Luke’s record of this healing reveals today […]