"Luke 11-15"
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I remember going to this party years ago that started at one house for appetizers, then went to another home for soup. Then onto the main course, before traveling to a final house for dessert. It's called a progressive dinner, and it was a lot of fun! This week's reading is kind of like that progressive dinner.
Meals on Wheels
We’re in the middle act of the book, Christ's journey toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:44). As we travel, it sometimes feels like a trip from one dinner party to another. Jesus will attend feasts in the homes of two different Pharisees in these chapters (Luke 11:37-54; 14:1-24). Then some will accuse him of welcoming sinners and eating with them (Luke 15:1-2).
Beyond that, the Lord's teachings will take us to quite a few fascinating parties, like the grand banquet for the poor and crippled, the celebration in heaven, and the famous "fatted calf" supper a father held for his wayward son. In his banquet parables, the Lord explains the nature of his kingdom. Who will the king invite? What should we do as we wait for the feast? And what kind of thing makes God want to throw a party?
He also gives us some kingdom party etiquette. Like, who should you invite when you host a banquet? Where should you sit when you're a guest? How do these instructions apply to other areas of our lives?
Turning Down the Invitation?
Jesus describes the chosen people as a select guest list who decline the party invitation (Luke 14:16-24). Rather than receiving the Messiah and his kingdom, most of the Jews missed God's time of visitation (cf. Luke 18:42, 44). So from the fig tree parable to the warning to interpret time correctly to the lament over Jerusalem, listen for Christ's sad, prophetic message of judgment on the nation and its capital, Jerusalem.
What's on the Menu?
For my wife and me, our biggest wedding day regret is not finding time to enjoy the beautiful dinner we planned for everyone. We ran from table to table visiting folks, but never got more than a few bites ourselves, as we played host and then shuffled off to our honeymoon.
As Christ prepares his disciples to follow him after he's gone, Luke fills these chapters with disciple training. Like those first disciples, we need this training. So as you read this section, don't forget to partake in the meal yourself.
- Do I think of money the way Jesus did?
- Does my prayer life reflect the confidence Jesus teaches?
- Do I readily acknowledge Christ before men?
- Am I striving to enter, knowing the cost of following him?
God's people have anticipated a Great Messianic Banquet since Isaiah's time (Isaiah 25:6-7; 55:1-2; cf. Luke 14:15; 13:29). Reading Luke 11-15, examine your readiness for the master and his feast (Luke 12:35-48).
