Epaggelia

Luke 14:1-11

To help appreciate the setting of this parable, note that most Jewish and eastern dinner tables were “U” shaped and low to the ground, with guests reclining, not sitting upright as westerners. An honored guest would be seated in the center, with those of less honor on both sides. The painting of “The Lord’s Supper” by L. daVinci (1495-98) is a figment of western imagination. But the certainty of Jesus coming to dinner amongst critics that wanted to lay a trap was real. Jesus deliberately healed on the Sabbath to confront criticism from the Pharisees. He was going to expose them, not vice-versa.

It may seem surprising that Proverbs 25:6-7 actually teaches the wisdom of this parable centuries before Jesus must make it clear to educated Jews. Even though Jesus had his most stinging rebukes and big disputes with the Pharisees, he still fellowshipped them! He loved them and showed them godliness in his instruction. If we want to be like Jesus, we must never shun hypocrites, but rather help them grow. The main reason most Christians leave the church is because hypocrites make them angry or depressed, but Christ would stay & insist on helping them grow in the grace & knowledge of his Father. Only after repeated rejection, would he “wipe the dust off his feet”, and/or make damning rebukes to their faces, but never behind their backs. 

What do you think is the main point of this parable? 

The following scriptures emphasize the importance of humility: Matthew 23:12, Luke 18:14, Philippians 2:3-4, James 4:10, 1st Peter 5:5-6 & John 13:1–17

There are three facts of life that should keep us in a humble frame of mind:

1. Our physical and/or bodily weaknesses
2. Our mental limitations
3. Our moral or ethical failures

Jesus practiced what he preached about humility and had to exemplify God’s servanthood even to the extent of going to the cross, read Luke 22:24-27. Matthew 23:6 states that Pharisees loved “chief seats”. What are some things in our modern western lifestyle that parallel a desire for so-called “chief seats”?

Is it possible that a person can become proud of their own humility?

When Jesus came into the world, he slept in a feeding trough, and when he died he willingly laid himself down on a cross, neither at his birth nor at his death could he find a more lowly place. The contrast of his life with our lives is to our shame.