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Luke 110

14:1-14

A Call to Humility

Our lesson today begins with Luke 14:1-6 NASB. Please follow as I read. "And it came about when He (Jesus) went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, that THEY WERE WATCHING HIM CLOSELY. {2} And there, in front of Him was a certain man suffering from dropsy. (This condition had to do with fluid retention in all or part of ones body. Dropsy could cause great misery and even death if not cured.) {3} And Jesus answered and spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" {4} But they kept silent. And He took hold of him, and healed him, and sent him away. {5} And He said to them, "Which one of you shall have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?" {6} And they could make no reply to this."

The first lesson in our text has to do with our association with unbelievers. Should we shun them completely? Should we always decline their invitation to dinner or a party or an outing? The answer is no, we should not always decline. We are to follow our Lord’s example. When invited to dinner at an unbelievers home, Jesus went. Not only was this man an unbeliever he was an enemy. His religion was contrary to Christianity. He was "anti-Christ," and anti-grace. He believed in a works based acceptance with God. Yet Jesus accepted the invitation and, as we will see, turned it into a teaching opportunity. In this, so far as we are able and have opportunity, we are to mimic our Lord.

There are invitations that we must turn down. There are places we must not be found and circumstances that must be shunned. However, we must not sever contact with the unbelievers in our lives. Rather, we are to associate with them to the extent God’s word and our conscience will allow. We are to do so for the good of their souls and the glory of God. We are to "let our light shine before men that they might see our good works, or hear our good words, and bring glory to God." There are many homes and situations we can enter without compromise. There are many unbelievers we can associate with for the sake of souls and the glory of God. It is impossible to love our neighbor as ourselves if we have nothing to do with them.

Notice how Jesus uses this opportunity for good. First He heals a man with dropsy. This disease has to do with fluid retention in all or specific parts of the body. How sick he was and why he was there we are not told. Some think he was planted by the Pharisees who hoped that Jesus would say or do something contrary to the law. Whatever the case, Jesus accomplishes two things at once with this healing. One, He shows forth His power to heal and secondly He shows that the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath. He asks the question, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" They did not answer. They sort of "took the fifth." They refused to answer because no matter how they answered they would loose. If they said yes they would be in trouble with their fellow lawyers. If they said no Christ would prove them wrong. He would reveal their lack of love and compassion for a fellow human in distress. He would reveal their ignorance of and abuse of the law. This He did anyway. For when he had healed the man with dropsy he turned and asked the Pharisees, "Which one of you shall have a son or an ox fall into a well and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?" Again there was silence. His enemies could not answer without getting into trouble on all sides. They dare not say that a human in distress was less important than and ox. And they dare not support Christ in His actions for they had taught that healing was not to be done on the Sabbath. "They could make no reply to Jesus."

Already Jesus has taught us two things. One has to do with the unbelievers in our acquaintance. By His example Jesus calls us to love unbelievers and seek their good. We are to befriend them for the sake of their souls and the glory of God. When we are with them we should try to improve or redirect the conversation toward that which will serve both God and man. Our goal must always be to love God and our neighbor to the best of our ability. To love God is to seek His glory. To love our neighbors is to seek their spiritual and physical well being.

Many times, in the presence of unbelievers, we are not allowed to speak of our Lord or to share His Gospel but we can surely "work out our own salvation while they look on." Our conversation and actions must be in accord with faith and truth at all times. For , and this is the second thing we learn from this text, the unbelievers are always watching. The Pharisees were watching and would have been delighted to discover some sin in Christ’s life. So it is with the unbelieving masses. They watch professing Christians and are glad to see them fall into sin. The unbeliever looks at each Christian as a representative of the whole Christian family. And so they should. We are each one ambassadors of the kingdom of God. We belong to and represent God as well as all our brothers and sisters. This is true every day and everywhere we go. Let us, therefore, be careful to have, at all times, a clear conscience as concerns offence toward God and man. Let us resolve to do nothing which can give occasion to the Lord’s enemies to blaspheme. The prophet Nathan, speaking of King David’s adultery with Bathsheba, said ". . . by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme . . .," (2 Samuel 12:14 NASB). Let us follow our Lord’s example by seeking the good of our enemies. As we seek their good let us be careful not to disgrace the God who said, "Be holy as I am holy."

In the next section Jesus turns His attentions to the guests who had been invited with Him to the dinner.

Luke 14:7 "And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed HOW THEY HAD BEEN PICKING OUT THE PLACES OF HONOR AT THE TABLE; saying to them, {8} "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF HONOR, lest someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, {9} and he who invited you both shall come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. {10} "But when you are invited, go and RECLINE AT THE LAST PLACE, (The best man, for instance, might sit next to the groom in the "place of honor." While a friend, of a friend, of a friend would be seated in the "last place.") so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. {11} "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." This is, of course, some good practical advice that will save a great deal of embarrassment and humiliation if listened to. But beyond the physical there is a spiritual application. By these words Christ calls us to practice humility. "Do not take the place of honor. Recline at the last place. For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted." What is the lesson here but a warning against pride? What Christ is saying is captured in another place by these words, "God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble." That is why everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled (by God) and he who humbles himself shall be exalted (by God).

In the next reference Samuel speaks of the shepherd boy who became king.

1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, "Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, (In other words as a boy David was not proud. He did not think more highly of himself than he should have.) you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel." Humble yourself and the Lord will exalt you!

Psalms 18:27 "For Thou dost save an afflicted people; (He speaks of people afflicted with the knowledge of their sin. Such knowledge makes a person humble and savable.) But haughty eyes Thou dost abase." The proud, arrogant, and self sufficient who feel no need for God will be humbled in the end.

Psalms 138:6 "For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly; But the haughty He knows from afar." In reference to our text we might say, "Those who take the back seat He calls to the front while those who believe themselves worthy of the front He sends to the back!

Proverbs 18:12 "Before destruction the heart of man is proud, (That is, pride leads only to destruction. For God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.) But humility goes before honor." The humble bow in sorrow and repentance before God and His Christ. Then they are, by Him, exalted to heaven! Humility goes before honor.

Isaiah 57:15 "For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite." God has no fellowship with the proud. On the other hand, He will dwell forever with the humble and contrite in heart. Therefore, it is said, "You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. (1 Peter 5:5)

Seeing that humility is so important we ask, "Where does it come from?" It is a gift of grace from God. It comes by grace, through faith in Jesus as the Holy Spirit applies TRUTH to the heart. In other words, the proud man is an ignorant man and the humble person is in the know. The humble person has knowledge the proud man does not possess. Listen to the excellent words of J. C. Ryle.

"The root of humility is right KNOWLEDGE. The man who really knows himself and his own heart, who knows God, His infinite majesty and holiness, who knows Christ and the price at which man was redeemed, that man will never be a proud man. He will count himself, like Jacob, unworthy of the least of all God’s mercies. He will say to himself, like Job, "I am vile and insignificant." He will cry, like Paul, "I am the chief of sinners," (Genesis 32:10, Job 40:4, 1 Timothy 1:15). He will think anything good enough for him. In lowliness of mind he will esteem everyone else to be better than himself, (Philippians 2:3). Ignorance, nothing but sheer ignorance, ignorance of self, of God and of Christ, is the real source of pride. From this miserable self ignorance may we daily pray to be delivered! He is the wise man who knows himself and he who knows himself will find nothing within to make him proud." END QUOTE

(John 6:44-45 NASB) "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. {45} "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY (those who are drawn to Christ by the Father) SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has HEARD and LEARNED from the Father, comes to Me." No one, in other words, is saved or can be saved until the Father draws him to Christ by revealing to him the truth about himself, God and Jesus. The once proud man who is thus taught goes with humility to Christ. Following is a record of what happens when God teaches one the truth.

(Acts 16:14-15 NASB) "And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and THE LORD OPENED HER HEART TO RESPOND TO THE THINGS SPOKEN BY PAUL. (God caused the woman to understand and believe the things Paul was teaching. Lydia believed the Gospel, she believed in Christ for salvation. By the following words we discover that God also opened the hearts of her whole family.) {15} And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, (Now we see the humility that follows the discovery of the truth about self, God, and His Christ.) "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us." As soon as Lydia was enabled to understand the words of Paul she became a lover and servant of the brethren. God the Holy Spirit is the one who reveals truth to people. Hear the words of Jesus.

(John 16:7-8 NASB) "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. {8} "And He, when He comes, will convict the world (The Holy Spirit will expose, teach, or convince both Jews and Gentiles of the following things.) concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment;" He will teach the lost sheep of God the truth about their sin, the judgment to come and the righteousness available in Jesus by faith. Having been taught the truth this person will go humbly to Christ and be saved. Humility comes from God when He reveals saving truth to an individual. I hasten to add that humility increases year by year as God continues to reveal His truth to the Christian through the study of His word.

Now the last section in our text for today. Jesus has healed the man with dropsy. He has instructed the guests on how to avoid embarrassment. Now He addresses the host of the dinner.

(Luke 14:12-14 NASB) And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest (or so that) they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. (Jesus sees what we cannot see. He sees the motive in the Pharisee’s heart when he made out the guest list. He had invited only those who could and would return the favor.) {13} "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, {14} and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Jesus is not saying that the Pharisee should not invite his relatives and rich neighbors but that he should include the poor, crippled and blind. Why? As a service and ministry to people in need of food and kindness. In other words, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Seek the physical and spiritual benefit of all kinds of people.

What the Pharisee made of these words we do not know. But what we should make of them is clear. By these words you and I are called to examine our motives. Why do we do what we do? Is it for the praise of men and what they might give us in return? Are we seeking the physical and spiritual good of the lost and found sheep of God or are we doing something else? Are we seeking the glory of God and the reward promised at the resurrection? Do we live to love God and man or are our motives evil and selfish? Let me take you to one last passage of scripture.

(James 2:1-9 NASB) "My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. {2} For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, {3} and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," {4} have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become JUDGES WITH EVIL MOTIVES? . . . {7} Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? (The poor who have been treated so badly in the name of God might say, "The Christian’s God has no power to change men. These Christians treat us just like everyone else does.") {8} If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. {9} But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors."

The lessons of the day are several. First we have been reminded of the importance of our conversation and behavior in the world. The world is watching us. We must never forget this or come to the place where we do not care. We are to live in such a way that those who see us will praise God and not rail against Him. We are ambassadors of the Kingdom and we are always on duty.

Second we have been reminded that God can and does heal men’s diseases when it pleases Him to do so. Therefore, be encouraged, pray for your own healing and that of others. Perhaps God will be pleased to heal.

Third we have been reminded that God gives grace to the humble and is opposed to the proud. We have learned that the humble are those who have been taught the truth about sin, righteousness and judgement. These are drawn by the Father and do all run to Christ for forgiveness and eternal life. Let us all seek the increase of humility.

Fourth and finally we have been called to examine our motives. We must remember the instruction of Paul when he said, "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (Here the first part of the law of love is fulfilled) {32} Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; {33} just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved." (In this way the second part of the law of love is fulfilled.) (1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NASB) Love does not seek its own, beloved, it seeks the glory of God and the good others.