Luke 14

1 On a day of worship Jesus went to eat at the home of a prominent Pharisee. The guests were watching Jesus very closely.

2 A man whose body was swollen with fluid was there.

3 Jesus reacted by asking the Pharisees and the experts in Moses' Teachings, "Is it right to heal on the day of worship or not?"

4 But they didn't say a thing. So Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him away.

5 Jesus asked them, "If your son or your ox falls into a well on a day of worship, wouldn't you pull him out immediately?"

6 They couldn't argue with him about this.

7 Then Jesus noticed how the guests always chose the places of honor. So he used this illustration when he spoke to them:

8 "When someone invites you to a wedding, don't take the place of honor. Maybe someone more important than you was invited.

9 Then your host would say to you, 'Give this person your place.' Embarrassed, you would have to take the place of least honor.

10 So when you're invited, take the place of least honor. Then, when your host comes, he will tell you, 'Friend, move to a more honorable place.' Then all the other guests will see how you are honored.

11 Those who honor themselves will be humbled, but people who humble themselves will be honored."

12 Then he told the man who had invited him, "When you invite people for lunch or dinner, don't invite only your friends, family, other relatives, or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they will return the favor.

13 Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the handicapped, the lame, and the blind.

14 Then you will be blessed because they don't have any way to pay you back. You will be paid back when those who have God's approval come back to life."

15 One of those eating with him heard this. So he said to Jesus, "The person who will be at the banquet in the kingdom of God is blessed."

16 Jesus said to him, "A man gave a large banquet and invited many people.

17 When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, 'Come! Everything is ready now.'

18 "Everyone asked to be excused. The first said to him, 'I bought a field, and I need to see it. Please excuse me.'

19 Another said, 'I bought five pairs of oxen, and I'm on my way to see how well they plow. Please excuse me.'

20 Still another said, 'I recently got married, and that's why I can't come.'

21 "The servant went back to report this to his master. Then the master of the house became angry. He told his servant, 'Run to every street and alley in the city! Bring back the poor, the handicapped, the blind, and the lame.'

22 "The servant said, 'Sir, what you've ordered has been done. But there is still room for more people.'

23 "Then the master told his servant, 'Go to the roads and paths! Urge the people to come to my house. I want it to be full.

24 I can guarantee that none of those invited earlier will taste any food at my banquet.'"

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned to them and said,

26 "If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples.

27 So those who do not carry their crosses and follow me cannot be my disciples.

28 "Suppose you want to build a tower. You would first sit down and figure out what it costs. Then you would see if you have enough money to finish it.

29 Otherwise, if you lay a foundation and can't finish the building, everyone who watches will make fun of you.

30 They'll say, 'This person started to build but couldn't finish the job.'

31 "Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He would first sit down and think things through. Can he and his 10,000 soldiers fight against a king with 20,000 soldiers?

32 If he can't, he'll send ambassadors to ask for terms of peace while the other king is still far away.

33 In the same way, none of you can be my disciples unless you give up everything.

34 "Salt is good. But if salt loses its taste, how will you restore its flavor?

35 It's not any good for the ground or for the manure pile. People throw it away. "Let the person who has ears listen!"

Luke 14 Commentary

Chapter 14

Christ heals a man on the sabbath. (1-6) He teaches humility. (7-14) Parable of the great supper. (15-24) The necessity of consideration and self-denial. (25-35)

Verses 1-6 This Pharisee, as well as others, seems to have had an ill design in entertaining Jesus at his house. But our Lord would not be hindered from healing a man, though he knew a clamour would be raised at his doing it on the sabbath. It requires care to understand the proper connexion between piety and charity in observing the sabbath, and the distinction between works of real necessity and habits of self-indulgence. Wisdom from above, teaches patient perseverance in well-doing.

Verses 7-14 Even in the common actions of life, Christ marks what we do, not only in our religious assemblies, but at our tables. We see in many cases, that a man's pride will bring him low, and before honour is humility. Our Saviour here teaches, that works of charity are better than works of show. But our Lord did not mean that a proud and unbelieving liberality should be rewarded, but that his precept of doing good to the poor and afflicted should be observed from love to him.

Verses 15-24 In this parable observe the free grace and mercy of God shining in the gospel of Christ, which will be food and a feast for the soul of a man that knows its own wants and miseries. All found some pretence to put off their attendance. This reproves the Jewish nation for their neglect of the offers of Christ's grace. It shows also the backwardness there is to close with the gospel call. The want of gratitude in those who slight gospel offers, and the contempt put upon the God of heaven thereby, justly provoke him. The apostles were to turn to the Gentiles, when the Jews refused the offer; and with them the church was filled. The provision made for precious souls in the gospel of Christ, has not been made in vain; for if some reject, others will thankfully accept the offer. The very poor and low in the world, shall be as welcome to Christ as the rich and great; and many times the gospel has the greatest success among those that labour under worldly disadvantages and bodily infirmities. Christ's house shall at last be filled; it will be so when the number of the elect is completed.

Verses 25-35 Though the disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear their cross, and must bear it in the way of duty. Jesus bids them count upon it, and then consider of it. Our Saviour explains this by two similitudes; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. Sit down and count the cost; consider it will cost the mortifying of sin, even the most beloved lusts. The proudest and most daring sinner cannot stand against God, for who knows the power of his anger? It is our interest to seek peace with him, and we need not send to ask conditions of peace, they are offered to us, and are highly to our advantage. In some way a disciple of Christ will be put to the trial. May we seek to be disciples indeed, and be careful not to grow slack in our profession, or afraid of the cross; that we may be the good salt of the earth, to season those around us with the savour of Christ.