Sabbath, May 10 – Luke 14, 15

1. What was the attitude of the Pharisees toward Jesus? (Luke 14:1)

2. What gives salt its value? (Luke 14:34)

3. What were the Pharisees and scribes murmuring about Jesus? (Luke 15:1)

In Luke 14, we find Jesus seated at the table of a Pharisee ruler. In His grace, He took every opportunity to reach everyone. Surely, this influential person and his friends had a special need to be reached by the grace of God.

Whether due to genuine need or underhanded intent, there was a man with dropsy present. This condition involves fluid accumulation in the body, leading to considerable swelling. In more modern terms, it’s known as edema. It indicates that something is seriously wrong with the body and can result in heart failure or severely impact the kidneys or liver.

Relieving suffering was central to the Savior’s mission. Isaiah writes, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). In rescuing this very ill man from “the pit” of pain and death, Jesus blessed both him and his family while simultaneously providing a powerful lesson to His “pious” hosts. The spirit of the commandment resides in compassion. If we are going to err, it is safer to err on the side of mercy.

It appears there was some dispute at the gathering over the seating arrangements. “According to the Talmud the places of honor were those next to the host.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Luke 14:7). The scribes and Pharisees sought to feed their vanity by securing the best seats. Jesus offered practical advice that still applies to us: it is better to be invited forward than to be told to move to a lower place.

It is revealing that Jesus wasn’t seeking popularity but salvation for humanity. He wasn’t a politician, nor was He after fame, power, or wealth. That’s why the crowds didn’t necessarily serve His purposes; they often became obstacles to reaching the individual. He discouraged them by speaking plainly about the level of commitment required to be His disciple.

“Now, toward the close of His ministry, there seems also to have been a growing conviction in the minds of many that He was about to proclaim Himself the leader of Israel in a revolt against Rome (see on Matt. 19:1, 2; 21:5, 9–11). Although many no doubt followed Him out of sincere motives, a majority probably did so either because of curiosity or from selfish motives.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Luke 14:25)

To understand the meaning of the strong words in Luke 14:26, we can turn again to the SDA Bible Commentary: “In the Bible, “to hate,” often should be understood simply as a typical Oriental hyperbole meaning “to love less” (see Deut. 21:15–17). This fact stands forth clearly in the parallel passage where Jesus says, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). This striking hyperbole is apparently used to make vivid to the follower of Christ the fact that at all times he must make first in his life the kingdom of heaven.” SDABC, Luke 14:26

Discipleship demands a significant cost in earthly terms. It requires complete commitment to the Master, even to the extent of sacrifice. It involves trusting God with our families. This is what Abraham demonstrated when God asked him to offer his son. God made no lesser sacrifice; He gave His only Son. Jesus left the Father and His heavenly home for our sake, confronted the enemy, and was obedient unto death.

In the classic My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes: “The conditions of discipleship laid down by Our Lord in vv. 26, 27 and 33 mean that the men and women He is going to use in His mighty building enterprises are those in whom He has done everything. “If any man come to Me, and hate not . . . he cannot be My disciple.” Our Lord implies that the only men and women He will use in His building enterprises are those who love Him personal y, passionately and devotedly beyond any of the closest ties on earth. The conditions are stern, but they are glorious.” My utmost for His highest, Oswald Chambers, May 7th

Luke 15 contains three classic parables illustrating God’s persistent love. As it has been said, the coin didn’t realize it was lost, the sheep didn’t know the way home, and the prodigal son didn’t want to return. Jesus shows that the Father seeks the unaware, rescues the lost, and welcomes the repentant.

In the parable, there are two prodigal sons: one lost in the world, and one lost at home because he didn’t understand the Father’s heart. Like the coin, he was lost yet unaware of it. The son who wandered far was more conscious of his need for repentance.

May God grant you a very blessed day.