-THE PEREAN MINISTRY
-Jesus, While Dining With a Pharisee Heals on the Sabbath
-Luke 14:1-24
-On this occasion, Jesus was eating in the house of “one of the chief” (KJV), “a prominent”
Pharisee.
-“The Pharisees were an unorganized party, hence their rulers were such not by office, but by
influence” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 492).
-Those in attendance “were watching him closely” (NASB).
-Also in attendance was a man who had the dropsy, a “...swelling of the body caused by the
retention of excessive liquid in the tissues. The man’s pitiful condition would have been
obvious to all” (Wycliffe).
-Perhaps this man was simply there of his own accord. However, it is possible that the
Pharisees had purposely brought this man there as a part of their plot against Jesus. If Jesus
healed the man, they would immediately accuse Him of violating the Sabbath. If Jesus
chose not to heal the man, they could accuse Him of being unmerciful and lacking in
compassion.
-Jesus, knowing their wicked intentions, answered their thoughts with this question, “Is it lawful
to heal on the Sabbath day?”
-If they answered, “Yes,” they would be lending support to Jesus. If they answered, “No,”
then their lack of mercy and compassion would be revealed. They simply remained silent.
-Jesus then pointed out their hypocrisy in having the willingness to help an animal in need on the
Sabbath day while legalistically overlooking the needs of their fellow man. Again, Jesus’
enemies were silenced.
-Jesus then gave three parables:
-vs 7-11 - These Jewish leaders sought the honor of men. Therefore, they desired the chief
seats at gatherings. Yet, Jesus pointed out that it is better to humble oneself and then be
exalted than to exalt oneself and then be humbled.
-vs 12-14 - These words of Jesus revealed the selfishness of the Jewish leaders. If they did
good to others it was motivated by a selfish desire to get something in return (a “you owe me
one” attitude). Jesus taught that they should do good to those in need - to those who had
nothing to return - out of kindness and compassion. Such attitudes and actions would
ultimately be rewarded by the Lord.
-vs 15-24 - One of those in attendance, having heard the teaching of Jesus, said, “Blessed is
he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of heaven.” By Jesus’ response we can conclude that
this statement was generated with an attitude of arrogance and self-righteousness.
-The Jewish leaders expected to have a reserved place in God’s kingdom. However, they
were the very ones who rejected His invitation. As a result, they would remain outside
of God’s kingdom while others, who responded to the invitation, would find a place
within it.
-This parable shows that excuses for spiritual neglect are simply unacceptable. “Viewing
the excuses spiritually, we note that each one contains an element of newness - new field,
new oxen, new wife. Thus the things of earth seem new and sweet in comparison with
the gospel invitation. Again, all the excuses are trifling, for the parable is intended to
teach that men forego their rights to heaven for trifles” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 496).
“They had not come together and formulated unanimous excuses, but their excuses were
all of the same nature, and revealed the same disposition of heart and attitude of mind”
(Boles, 1974, pg 287).
-With this parable, we see that the Jews were about to be cut off as God’s chosen people.
Only those who would respond to God’s invitation of the Gospel would be partakers in
His kingdom.