“The Wedding Feast”

Friday, June 23, 2017

As we study Luke 14:1-14, it is important to remember that two groups of people in the New Testament watched Jesus closely. One group was searching for truth and thought that He might be the promised Messiah of Old Testament history. The other group was searching for something to use against Him to justify their decision to reject Him as the Messiah (or Christ).

One group allowed the miracles of Jesus, such as healing the man with dropsy, to convince them that Jesus was truly a man from God. The other group became outraged because He healed the man on the Sabbath.

Today, some people read the New Testament and become convinced that Jesus is the Savior, while others read the same accounts and turn away from Him. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 describe these two types of hearts as “the natural man” and “he who is spiritual.” It has been said that the same sun that hardens bricks (a hard heart) also melts butter (a soft and tender heart).

When Jesus pointed out the inconsistency of the lawyers and the Pharisees, they had nothing further to say (verses 3-6).

The Savior told this parable in response to those who “chose the best places,” apparently the seats closest to the most powerful and influential people. There have always been, and always will be, those who want to be close to the rich and powerful, not because of true friendship, but because of the advantages those people can offer.

It might be helpful to note that the invitation Jesus accepted to eat with this Pharisee was not for a wedding feast, which would not likely have been held on the Sabbath, but that is the setting for the parable He told.

Christ told His hearers not to sit in the places of prominence, when invited to a formal occasion. He described a situation where someone takes the best seat and then is replaced by the host for “one more honorable than you.” His advice was to take the lowest place and then when the host asks you to move to a higher position, “you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.”

Then Jesus gave some specific instructions to his host, one of the rulers of the Pharisees. He told him not to invite people to a meal who could repay him by inviting him in return to their homes. Christ’s encouragement was for people to invite the disadvantaged. He specifies “the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.”

The Lord is reminding all of us that we need to care for those who have a difficult time in life. Many don’t even have the basic necessities for survival. Helping others is more important than helping ourselves by including only those who can repay us.

--Roger Hillis

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