Emory Baptist Church

Our Faithful Father is Waiting for You!

Our Faithful Father Who is Waiting on You!

Luke 15:11-24

Sunday, October 19, 2025, 10:30 AM

Emory BC

 

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.  17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’  20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.  25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’  28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’  31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’

 

 

Introduction

If I were a betting man, I would bet that Luke 15 is one of your most cherished chapters in all of the Bible.  I understand why.

 

Last week, Bro. Ronnie preached to you the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin.  Today, I am going to remind you of the parable of the lost son.

 

Remember that parables are earthly stories with spiritual or heavenly meanings.  BTW…Charles Dickens is on record as saying that the parable of the prodigal son is “the finest short story ever written.”

 

In short, Luke 15 illustrates the act of salvation.  The parables of the lost sheep and lost coin teach us that God seeks to save those who are lost. 

 

The parable of the lost son teaches us that God can’t make that decision for us.  We must respond to God’s initiative.

 

In today’s story, we are going to see three main characters.  A father has two sons.  Obviously, one is older, and one is younger.

 

As it relates to symbols, traditionally, the father is a picture of God.  The prodigal symbolizes the lost or the unsaved, especially those referenced back in 15:1-2.

 

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”

 

The older brother pictures the self-righteous leadership of the Jewish People.  These were the Pharisees and scribes.

 

1. The Younger Rebellious Son, Luke 15:11-19

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.  17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 

 

Here you have a Jewish family consisting of a father and two sons.  The younger son was probably around 17 years  of age or so.

 

In verse 12, he decided in his own mind that he is old enough and wise enough to take the world on by himself.  Therefore, he asked for his inheritance early, before his father died.

 

12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

 

BTW…This was unheard of.  He was essentially saying to his father, “You are dead to me.  Give me my inheritance.”

 

What did the father do?  The father obliged and gave him his part.  According to the OT, that would have been 1/3 of the estate leaving 2/3 for the older son.

 

In verse 13, the text seems to indicate that this younger son liquidated whatever was his and left town.  However, he not only left town, he left the country.  He went into a country that probably was Gentile. 

 

13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

 

We aren’t told exactly what he did with his money.  However, we are told that he “wasted his possessions with prodigal or wasteful living.” 

 

15:30 tells us that this “prodigal living” definitely included harlots or prostitutes.  I would guess it also included drunkenness and gambling.

 

30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

 

Verse 14 says he spent it all, and his problems only got bigger as a severe famine swept the land.  Not only was he broke, but now he was hungry, yet no prospect of eating.

 

14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.

 

So he got a job, but not just any job.  He got a job feeding pigs, and his boss was a Gentile. 

 

Remember this young boy was Jewish.  His family saw pigs as the scum of the earth.  He had hit rock bottom.

 

It got so bad that he was not only feeding the pigs, but he also began to eat the pigs’ food.  Hitting rock bottom may describe some of you this morning.

 

However, look at 15:17.  The younger, rebellious son came to his senses.  The light bulb came on. 

 

Implied in this verse is the idea of repentance.  Repentance means to turn around or change behavior.

 

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

 

He realized that it didn’t have to be this way.  He didn’t have to live at rock bottom.  He didn’t have to eat pigs’ food.

 

Verses 18-19 tell us about his plan.  He had been humbled, and that humility was demonstrated in his planned speech.

 

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 

 

BTW…When we sin, every sin is first and foremost sin against God.  It may also be sin against our neighbor.

 

 

2. The Faithful, Waiting Father, Luke 15:20-24

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 

 

Its in verse 20 and following that our attention turns to the faithful, waiting father.  However, to be candid, this story is more about the faithful, waiting father than anyone else.

 

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

 

We talk about the prodigal son and the lost son.  However, count the number of times the word “father” is in this parable…12.

 

The main character of this parable is the father.  The secondary  characters are the sons.

 

In verse 20, when the son had gotten home, his father didn’t even let him finished his rehearsed repentance speech.  His father just embraced him and brought out the best robe for him, and killed the best calf for him, and gave him the best shoes because his son was lost, but now he was found. 

 

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

 

Also in verse 20, we see that all this time, his father had been waiting for him.  We aren’t told how long it was.  Maybe it was days or weeks or months. 

 

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

 

Regardless, every day that the son was gone, his father had gone to the top of the hill and looked down in the valley and said, “Maybe today my son will be home.” 

 

In the son’s own mind, he thought his actions deserved that of being a slave and he was prepared for that.  However, his father restored him to being a son.

 

He was a son worthy of honor and praise and celebration.  For he was lost, but now he was found.

 

For those rebellious sons and daughters, there is a faithful, heavenly father waiting on you.  For those who think you have to get cleaned up before you come to Jesus, come to Him first.  Then, He will clean you up.

 

 

3. The Self-Righteous Older Brother, Luke 15:25-32

25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’  28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’  31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’

 

This father had two sons. Now, we encounter the second.  He was the self-righteous, older brother.

 

Verse 25 says he was out doing his thing. He was out being faithful at work, but he heard all of the commotion.

 

25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

 

Verse 26 says he asked a servant what was going on.  The rebellious, younger son had come home safe and sound.

 

26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

 

This was reason to celebrate, right?  Verse 28 says the older brother was ANGRY!

 

28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

 

How could dad take him back and not ask where he’d been and where was his money and what had he been doing?  How could dad take him back and even celebrate?

 

He was so mad that he wouldn’t even go in the house.  However, the father went to him.

 

Verse 28 says the father pleaded with him to welcome back his brother.  All he could do was share his resume and claim what he deserved.

 

28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

 

You know what the older brother was guilty of?  We hear a lot about it today.  The Republicans charge the Democrats with it.  The older generations describe the younger generations this way.

 

The older brother felt he was entitled!  He felt he had earned his father’s favor and approval.

 

BTW…If this parable is about salvation, you can never earn God’s favor, and you cannot work for your salvation.

 

In verses 31 and 32, the faithful father assured the older brother of his love for him.  However, he also assured him of his love for his son that was lost and was now found.

 

31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’

 

 

Conclusion

This story doesn’t end like we think it should.  We don’t know what the older brother did.

 

However, in one regard, you can decide how this story ends by identifying with a brother.  Do you identify with the rebellious, younger brother?

 

If so, I invite you to come home today.  God isn’t going to ask where have you been.  He isn’t going to ask what have you been doing.  He isn’t going to ask why did you go. 

 

He is only going to embrace you and kiss you and say, “You’re home.  I love you!”  English Baptist Pastor Charles Spurgeon said, “Slow are the steps of repentance, but swift are the feet of forgiveness.”

 

If you identify with the self-righteous, older brother, my invitation for you is to get over yourself, and also to come to the father.  In the same way the faithful, waiting father forgives disobedience and rebellion, He also forgives self-righteous arrogance and pride.

 

Helmut Thielicke, “In our lives, we may have squandered what we would.  Perhaps we have squandered and mismanaged our marriage.  We may have squandered away our good reputation.  We may have ruined our bodies or our imaginations.  Perhaps our thinking has been corroded by envy and the heat of harmful passions.  Perhaps we have dragged the faith of our childhood in the gutter and become nihilists and cynics.  All this maybe true.  But right here comes the great surprise. God has not given me up.  He still counts me his child.  He tells me that he cannot forget me.  When anybody has done as much for me as my Father in heaven has done, when he sacrifices his best beloved for me, he simply cannot forget me.  And therefore, I can come home to him.  God pays no regard to what I have lost. He thinks only of what I am…his unhappy child, standing there at his door again.”

 

Finding Joy in the Lost and Found

Count the Cost!

Please take your Bible and find Luke 14:25.  I want to share with you a message entitled, “Count the Cost.”

 

In Luke 14, we have been looking at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  That word means a learner or student.

 

It is not a special class of Christians or a more mature group of Christians.  It is used in the NT synonymously with Christian, and it is found three times in today’s text: 26, 27, and 33.

 

What have we seen and heard in the recent Sundays?  First, a disciple of Jesus does the right thing even in the face of criticism.  Jesus did that when He healed the man with dropsy on the Sabbath at the home of a Pharisee.

 

Second, a disciple of Jesus demonstrates humility when we consider others more important than ourselves.  Jesus told us that whoever humbles himself will be exalted, and whomever exalts himself with be humbled. That is true on earth and in heaven.

 

Third, a disciple of Jesus decides that the only way to heaven is through a saving relationship with Jesus.  That happens when we RSVP for the supper in heaven.

 

Today, we are concluding Luke 14.  If you are going to be disciple of Jesus, you must count the cost of following Him, and followers of Jesus will devote everything of their lives and in their lives to Him.

 

Again, notice the phrase “My disciple” in today’s text: 26, 27, and 33.  Also, notice the phrase “count the cost” in verse 28.

 

Let’s stand for the reading of God’s word.  Follow along in your Bible or on the screens behind me.

 

 

Exposition

We begin in verse 25.  Great multitudes went with Jesus.  It is really important to remember where Jesus was headed.

 

He was on His way to Jerusalem.  See Luke 13:22.

 

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

 

Why is this so important to remember?  What was going to happen in Jerusalem? 

 

Jesus was going to die on the cross.  He headed to death without fear and following God’s plan.

 

First, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost your family.  Look at verse 26.  He said if anyone comes to Him and doesn’t hate family, he can’t be my disciple. 

 

For those of you who don’t know, let me be clear.  Jesus is not telling us we have to disobey explicit Bible commands to follow Him.

 

The 5^th commandment in Exodus 21 and then repeated in Ephesians 6:1 are crystal clear.

 

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

 

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

 

This word and idea for hate is different than ours.  It means to love less by comparison.  If you are follower of Jesus, you are to love your parents less than you love Jesus.

 

The Bible uses this language in a similar way elsewhere.  See Malachi 1:2-3.

 

2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.  “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”  Says the Lord.  “Yet Jacob I have loved; 3 But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”

 

For followers of Jesus, your loyalty has to be to Jesus first.  Family comes second. 

 

We have even seen this idea earlier in Luke. See Luke 12:51-53.

 

51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Second, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost you personally and maybe even painfully.  Look at verse 27.

 

Jesus said you must bear your cross.  What did He mean?

 

The cross was the vilest means of execution.  It would be akin to our electric chair or firing squad. 

 

Rome made their criminals sentenced to die by crucifixion carry the cross beam through town.  Why?  It was a deterrent to crime, but it was also meant to demonstrate guilt of the criminal.

 

For followers of Jesus, the cross was a means to death.  Jesus was going to die. 

 

Therefore, you and I would have to die…not physically but to ourselves and being the one in control.  Now, Jesus would be in control.

 

Third, if you are going to be a follower of Jesus, it will cost you entirely.  Look at verse 33.

 

Followers of Jesus must forsake all, and the implication is every part of your life.  When I baptized Dilan, he wasn’t holding his wallet out of the water.  He wasn’t holding his wedding ring out of the water.

 

If you’re going to be a follower of Jesus, you must not hold anything back.  That includes your marriage and your job and your kids and your checkbook and your hobbies and your language and your recreation.

 

 

Illustration

To illustrate Jesus’ point of counting the cost, He told two parables. They are in verses 28-32.

 

The first is the parable of the tower.  The point is simply this.  If you are going to be build a tower and finish building a tower, you better make sure you know what all is involved money wise so that you don’t run out of money and look like an idiot.

 

The second parable is about having to go to war.  If you only have 10,000 troops to fight 20,000 troops, you probably should consider making peace.

 

The point of this parable is not that we can negotiate with Jesus.  The point is that Jesus requires total surrender of His followers.

 

 

Conclusion

Our text concludes with an invitation to hear and act in verse 34.  It also concludes with a reminder about salt.

 

In the first century, salt was used to season, to preserve, and to fertilize. However, if it has become contaminated by another element such as gypsum, the effectiveness of the salt has significantly decreased.

 

Jesus said it would have lost its flavor.  Consequently, it was no good for the land or even pile of waste.  It just needed to be thrown out.

 

In other words, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus, your life ought to look like it.  Otherwise, of what use are you?  Will you be thrown out?

 

 

Have You RSVP'd for the Supper?

Please take your Bibles and turn to Luke 14:15. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Have You RSVP’d for the Supper?”

 

We are still with Jesus on the Sabbath and in the house of a Pharisee.  Remember that Jesus was the guest preacher at the local synagogue and had been invited to lunch after worship.

 

However, Jesus wasn’t invited because they wanted to get to know Him better.  He was invited for them to trap Him.

 

Also invited was a man who was retaining fluid and he was swollen all over.  This was due to a diseased heart or diseased kidney or diseased liver.

 

Because it was the right thing to do, Jesus healed him even on the Sabbath.  However, this did not sit well with the Pharisees because it violated their interpretation and application of the OT Law.

 

Last week, Jesus made a point about a humility and generosity by telling a parable.  His point was that followers of Christ not only do the right thing in the face of criticism, but they also demonstrate humility by considering the needs of others more important than their own.

 

Today, we are going to see and hear Jesus tell another parable.  He used these earthly stories with spiritual meanings to reveal mysteries, conceal realities, and fulfill prophecies depending on the makeup of His audience.

 

You’ve probably received an RSVP in the mail.  They typically are related to an invitation to an event.

 

RSVP is actually French and means respond if you please or please respond.  For Texans, you might get away with respond soon very pronto.

 

In other words, the host wants to know if you’re coming.  They want to know either way so that they can plan accordingly for space and or food.

 

What supper are we talking about?  It is the one here in Luke 14.  Jesus calls it a great supper as He tells another parable.

 

 

Exposition

Again, we are at a Pharisee’s house, and it seems to be the midday meal.  Jesus had someone sitting next to Him who seems to be one of His followers.

 

How do we know?  Look what he said.  Blessed or happy is the he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

 

We haven’t seen that term in a while, but it is what chapter 13 is all about.  In this instance, it most likely is a reference to heaven.  In other words, he was saying that being saved and having a home in heaven is the decision that will make you the happiest in life.

 

In response to this man’s declaration, Jesus told the parable of the great supper.  It begins in verse 16.

A certain man was hosting a great supper and invited a lot of people.  On the actual day of the event, he sent another invitation saying, “Y’all come.” 

 

This was common practice to send two invitations.  The first would be akin to our save the date invitations.  Those are then followed up with a more formal invitation. 

 

When this man’s second invitation went out, all those who were invited made up excuses as to why they couldn’t come.  Jesus shared with us three.

 

First, his excuse was that he had to look at a piece of property he already purchased.  Why couldn’t that wait?  Wouldn’t it still be there?  Did he buy it sight unseen?

 

Second, his excuse was similar.  Could the testing not wait?  Could the oxen not be tested later?

 

Third, his excuse was that he need to stay home with his newly married wife.  More than likely, no first-century Jewish male would have said this.

 

All of these excuses were flimsy.  They were ridiculous.

 

Because the host was insulted, he told his servant to invite others.  These folks would be thankful because they were they outcasts of society.  They probably hadn’t been to a supper like this before.

 

However, there was still more room and more food for more people.  The servant was then directed to go outside of the city and invite more. 

 

In verse 24, Jesus made a shocking statement to the man from verse 15.  He indicated that the supper would be His and none of those initially invited would now be welcome.

 

 

Identification

Now, let’s try to identify some of the characters and objects in the parable.  First, the certain man hosting the great supper is God the Father.

 

The great supper is heaven and eternal life.  The first invitation was the OT prophets.  The second invitation delivered by the man’s servant was Jesus Christ. 

 

The initial invitation went to the nation of Israel and specifically their leaders such as these Pharisees.  The poor, maimed, lame, and blind were probably also Jews but the lower segment of society.

 

Those outside the city on the highways and hedges were the Gentiles.  That is us.

 

 

Invitation

The point of this parable is that God is inviting us to be saved and an eternity at His great supper in heaven.  We can accept by the invitation by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  However, if you don’t accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, you are rejecting His invitation to be saved.

 

I don’t want to take this for granted, but a follower of Jesus does the right thing, demonstrates humility, and decides to receive the invitation to heaven.  It doesn’t happen automatically.  It has to be a conscious decision.

 

However, just like this parable, there will be those who reject. They will even make similar, ridiculous excuses.  Here are the most prevalent.

 

First, I’m too bad.  You don’t know what I’ve done. God can’t forgive me.

 

False.  God can and will if you confess and repent.  Jesus Christ died on the cross for murderers, adulterers, liars, thieves, and self-righteous religious hypocrites.  He did on the cross for you. 

 

Second, I’m too good or I don’t need to be saved.  False.

 

You may be relatively good compared to your neighbor.  However, you’re not perfect, and perfection is the standard.

 

You can’t be saved by authenticity, generosity, genealogy, ingenuity, or morality.  You can only be saved through Jesus Christ and inviting Him to be your Lord and Savior.

 

Third, your beliefs are no good.  Look at all of the hypocrites.

 

If men are your standard, you will never be satisfied.  If Jesus is your standard, you’ll never be disappointed.

 

Today, my invitation is for every man and every woman.  It is for every boy and every girl.  Listen to Psalm 34:8.

 

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

 

Will you come to Him today and taste and see?  RSVP now.

Descending into Greatness

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 14:7. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Descending into Greatness.” 

 

That sermon title ought to surprise you and cause you to think twice.  In our country and in your culture, you don’t go down to be great.  You go up.

 

If you want to be great, you go up at work in sales and in revenue.  If you want to be great in school, you go up in GPA and test scores.  If you want to be great in sports, you go up in wins and points per game.

 

However, Jesus said if you want to go up to greatness in the kingdom of heaven, you have to go down.  Jesus advocated descending into greatness.

 

I wish I was smart enough to come up with that title on my own.  However, Bill Hybels wrote the book in 1993.

 

In our verse by verse and chapter by study of Luke’s gospel, we have come to 14:7.  In reality, it is a continuation from last Sunday.  Today’s text is the same story on the same day in the same house with many of the same characters.

 

Jesus told a parable.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual meaning.

 

Jesus used parables to reveal mysteries to those who had received Him.  He used parables to conceal realities from those who had rejected Him, and He used parables to fulfill prophecies for both.

 

Remember from last week that it is the Sabbath.  Jesus was the guest preacher at the synagogue, and was customarily invited to a local house for lunch after the morning worship.

 

The local house belonged to some Pharisees who were Jewish religious leaders.  However, they had not invited Him to get to know Him better or show hospitality.

 

They invited Him to trap Him.  Not only did they invite Jesus, but they had also invited a man whose body was significant swollen. He was retaining fluid in his arms and legs and abdomen from an illness with his heart or liver or kidneys.

 

The Pharisees wanted to see if Jesus would heal this man, and He did.  It was that healing that put Jesus more at odds with Him.  However, it wasn’t because He had dishonored or broken Sabbath law.  He had just gone against their man-made convictions or unbiblical applications.

 

Today’s text continues on the same day and at the same house and with the same people. We will see an observation, an illustration, and an application.

 

 

1. An Observation of a Problem, Luke 14:7

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them.

 

Jesus is the He of verse 7, and I have already told you what a parable is and why Jesus used them.  The parable to follow was addressed to those who were invited.

 

Who was that?  Go back to 14:3.

 

3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

 

Those in attendance for lunch included Jesus, the man who sick, lawyers, and Pharisees.  Again, the Pharisees were Jewish religious leaders and experts in the Old Testament Law.

 

What was the problem that Jesus observed?  They were scurrying to get the best places to sit at lunch.

 

In this day, that would have been those places seated closest to the guest of honor.  In our day, it would be the places closest to the food or at the front.

 

 

2. An Illustration with a Parable, Luke 14:8-10

8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

 

In this instance, Jesus used this parable to reveal mysteries.  He told this parable to make a point.

 

The parable begins in verse 8 and is at wedding feast.  The instruction is not to sit at the best places so that someone better doesn’t come and need you to move.  That would be humiliating.

 

Instead, choose the worst place to sit.  If you do that, then you might be asked to move up to a better place.  If this happens, you won’t be humiliated.  You will be honored as those around you think highly of you.

 

 

3. An Application for the People/Us, Luke 14:11-14

11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

 

What was Jesus’ point?  Look at verse 11. 

 

Whoever exalts himself with be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  In the language of the NT, this verse is in the theological passive.

 

In other words, if you promote yourself, God will humble you.  If you humble yourself, God will lift you up.  Even though the word God is not present, God is implied.

 

Jesus then goes one step further and not only promotes humility but also generosity. Look at verse 12-14.

 

Again, He spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees. When you have a dinner, don’t only invite those who will simply return the favor like your friends and family and neighbors.

 

Instead, invite those who have no means at all to repay.  Invite the outcasts of society and culture.  Invite the poor and crippled and lame and blind.

 

In return, you will be blessed.  This act will also demonstrate your salvation, and you will be rewarded in heaven.

 

 

Conclusion

So last week, we saw that a disciple of Jesus does the right thing even in the face of criticism.  Today, a disciple of Jesus will demonstrate humility by considering others more important than him or herself.

 

Turn to Philippians 2:5.

 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

 

What mind are we talking about?  See Philippians 2:3-4.

 

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

How did Jesus model this for us?  See Philippians 2:6-11.

 

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

In other words, Jesus demonstrated humility by considering our needs more important than His needs.  Specifically, He died on the cross because we needed a Savior.

 

What might this look like our lives?  First, think about home.  What would happen if spouses thought each other’s needs were more important than your own and acted in the same manner?  Marriage would be saved and thrive.

 

What would happen if children thought their parents’ needs were more important than their own?  It might mean rest and recovery for parents to better serve their children.

 

What would happen at school and work if students demonstrated humility by thinking the needs of others’ needs were more important than your own or your coworkers were more important than you?  I would suggest learning and production would increase. 

 

What would happen if church members demonstrated humility by thinking others’ needs were more important than your own?  I know what would happen.  Our prayer room ministry schedule would be full, we would have more nursery volunteers than we need, and we might not have to borrow funds to build a FLC.

 

If you want to be great brothers and sister, go down.  Jesus will lift you up.

Do the Right Thing...

Please take your Bibles and find Luke 14:1. I want to share a message with entitled, “Do the Right Thing.”

 

However, I want to continue that thought.  Do the right thing in the face of criticism.  Disciples of Jesus should do the right thing even when others will find fault.

 

After we read today’s text, you might think, “This sounds really familiar,” and you’re right.  We had a similar story back in Luke 13:10-17.

 

If Luke 13 was about the kingdom of God, Luke 14 is about being a disciple of Jesus.  What is a disciple? A disciple is a dedicated student of a certain follower.  In this case, we are talking about Jesus.

 

Lastly, before reading the text, I need to remind about the Sabbath.  The Sabbath was the seventh day of the week that God intended for rest, and it goes all the way back to Genesis 2.

 

2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

 

Keep in mind that God didn’t rest because He needed it.  He rested as an example for us.  He knew that we would need it.

 

Consequently, resting and worship is so important, it is one of the ten commandments.  See Exodus 20:8-11.

 

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

Evidently, the Sabbath was a regular subject of controversy as this is now the fourth instance we encounter it in Luke.  See Luke 6:1, 6:6, and 13:10-11.

 

1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands.

 

6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.

 

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.

 

Therefore, the Sabbath was important.  It was important to keep it, and to understand what we should do and shouldn’t do on it.

 

BTW…The Sabbath is still important.  Brothers and sisters, you need a day of rest.  It doesn’t matter who you are or how old you are.  You need 24 hours of rest from your normal work, job, or vocation. 

 

God created you that way.  To do otherwise would be you thinking that you know better than God. 

 

In today’s text, I am going to make three observations with you.  You will see an invitation to fail, an illustration of good, and the incrimination of self.

 

 

1. An Invitation to Fail, Luke 14:1-3

1 Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. 2 And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

 

Verse 1 opens on a Sabbath.  As I said previously, this story is all about the Sabbath.  You find it three times in verse 1, verse 3, and verse 5.

 

More than likely, worship had already taken place in the synagogue, and Jesus was probably the guest teacher for that day.  As it was customary, the guest teacher was then invited to local house for lunch.

 

This house belonged to a ruler of the Pharisees.  They were Jewish religious leaders who were known for their knowledge of the Old Testament Law and for their man-made traditions.

 

Notice the end of verse 1.  They watched Him closely.

 

Why?  They were setting a trap for Jesus.  They invited Him to lunch to watch Him fail.

 

One of the reasons why this seems to be true is because of who else we see at lunch.  Verse 2 says there was a man with dropsy.

 

This was a physical condition of retaining fluid.  His arms and legs and abdomen were all swollen as they retained water. 

 

The NIV says swelling of his body.  The NASB says edema.

 

Regardless, he had a physical condition that was seen as punishment for his sins.  He would be considered unclean and a very unlikely guest at this lunch unless he was being used for bait in the invitation to fail.

 

Verse 3 says Jesus spoke to the Jewish religious leaders about the man.  He asked if it was lawful to heal him on the Sabbath?

 

Keep in mind that He was referring to the Old Testament Law.  He was not referring to man-made tradition.

 

Nowhere did the OT prohibit healing on the Sabbath.  However, the Pharisees had man-made traditions that said otherwise. 

 

If they said no, they would have been considered inhumane.  If they said yes, they would have been violating their own conviction and discrediting their character and authority.

 

So what happened?  Look at verse 4.

 

 

2. An Illustration of Good, Luke 14:4

4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go.

 

When the Pharisees kept silent, Jesus did good.  He took the man who was swollen with fluid retention, and healed him, and sent him on his way.

 

Did Jesus heal his diseased liver or kidney or heart that was causing him to retain fluid?  Or, did He just cause the fluid to disappear?

 

We don’t know for sure, and I don’t think it matters.  Jesus healed Him because it was the right thing to do, and He did it.

 

 

3. The Incrimination of Self, Luke 14:4-6

4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6 And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

 

In His dialogue with the Pharisees, He asked two questions of them.  The first was in verse 3 about whether it was lawful to heal this man on the Sabbath. 

 

The second is here verse 5.  If your animal fell into a pit on the Sabbath, would you get him out?

 

This was a rhetorical question.  The implied answer was yes.

 

For the Pharisees, their answer to both questions was the same.  They were silent.

 

Consequently, they incriminated themselves.  What were they guilty of?

 

I think there are multiple answers to that question.  However, in this specific instance, they were guilty of not doing good.

 

Applications/Conclusion

So what do we learn and apply from today’s text.  Let me give you three.

 

First, the Sabbath is important. It is from God. It is for us.  Take time to rest.

 

Second, this man’s physical healing is a picture of our spiritual healing. Jesus still heals today.  Call on Him.

 

Jesus still saves today.  Notice that Jesus initiated healing this man.  Jesus is calling you today to be saved.  Will you answer?

 

Third, if you are a disciple of Jesus, you ought to be committed to doing the right thing even in the face of criticism.  Do the right thing even when it is hard.  Do the right thing even when no one else is doing it at home in your marriage, at work with your boss and coworkers, at school with your teachers and classmates and teammates, and wherever God takes you.

Reviewing the Kingdom

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 13:31. I want to share a message with you entitled, “Reviewing the Kingdom.”

 

In the recent weeks, we have found ourselves in Luke 13. I know you’ll remember that Luke 13 is all about the kingdom of God.

 

We have talked about entrance into the kingdom.  We have talked about opposition to the kingdom.  We have talked about growth of the kingdom. 

 

Last Sunday, Bro. Ronnie preached from Luke 13:22-30.  In verse 22, the path of the kingdom included Jerusalem.  That is where Christ was headed, and that is where He would be crucified for my sin and your sin.

 

Verses 23 and following speak of to the plan for entrance into the kingdom.  It is not about semantics or saying the right words.  It is not even about service and doing the right things.

 

In verse 28, they will come from all directions into the kingdom.  They will come not because of semantics or service but because they have surrendered unto the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives.  In other words, King Jesus is on the throne of each heart in the kingdom.

 

However, if you reject King Jesus and you are intent on self sitting on the throne of your heart, there will be punishment for missing the kingdom.  That punishment is described in verse 28.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in hell.

 

Today, we come to the end of Luke 13.  Some things will be new.  Some things will be review. 

 

 

1. When it comes to the kingdom of God, there will always be opposition, Luke 13:31.

31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

 

On that very day?  About which day are we speaking?  It was that same day that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, and He was teaching in the cities and the village.

 

In this stance, the opposition was Herod.  This was Herod Antipas and the same Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded.

 

Both the Pharisees and Herod were opposed to Jesus.  However, the Pharisees just wanted Jesus out of this place.  Herod wanted to end His life.

 

If you attempt to live your life for the kingdom of God, there will always be opposition. It may come from normal enemies. It may come from surprise enemies.

 

Regardless, Jesus didn’t let opposition to the kingdom keep Him from wanting to do God’s will.  He pressed on.

 

 

2. When it comes to the kingdom of God, surrender is the answer, Luke 13:32-33.

32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ 33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

 

Jesus had word for Herod. Actually, there is the only time and only person that Jesus demonstrated animosity. Fox wasn’t a term to describe Herod’s sly or cunningness. 

 

It was used to say that Herod was not significant.  Herod wasn’t going to get in Jesus’ way.  He was moving forward to Jerusalem, and Herod couldn’t stop Him. 

 

In spite of opposition, Jesus was going to continue to minister and He was going to continue to follow God’s plan.  That included dying and being resurrected.

 

Verse 33 says that Jesus MUST keeping moving forward.  Why?  Jerusalem was God’s place for the kingdom. 

 

Jesus was going to die.  That would happen in Jerusalem.  Jesus was going to be raised.  That would happen in Jerusalem. 

 

BTW…Some people say Jesus never spoke about dying and being resurrected.  Really?  He sure did here in Luke 13:32-33.

 

He prophesied such.  He fulfilled such.

 

Brothers and sisters, Can I remind you that God’s plan and God’s kingdom is always perfect and worth it and what is best for you even if it is hard, and even if it hurts.  Jesus followed God’s plan and kingdom to the point of death, and it was perfect and right.

 

 

3. When it comes to the kingdom of God, Jesus invites you join Him, Luke 13:34-35.

34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

 

In verse 34, we see Jesus’ love and compassion for people, but specifically Jerusalem and the nation of Israel.  However, don’t misunderstand Israel’s guilt.

 

They were guilty as charged for rejecting Jesus and God’s plan and God’s kingdom.  However, Jesus still loved them.

 

In a very unique instance, Jesus verbalized maternal instincts. He called Himself a hen, but Jerusalem wasn’t willing to surrender.

 

BTW…What we see here in Luke 13:34 as well as Psalm 122:6 is why I pray for Israel to recognize Jesus as their promised Messiah.  No person will enter the kingdom because of their ethnicity.  Every Jew must confess Jesus as Lord and Savior in order to be saved, and many will.  I pray for it sooner rather than later.

 

122:6, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”

 

Verse 35 speaks to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  We’ll get there in Luke 19.

 

So what about you?  What about you and the kingdom of God?

 

 

Conclusion

Like Israel, you and I are guilty as sinners.  We don’t deserve any part in the kingdom of God. 

 

However, Jesus wants you in His kingdom.  Would you receive Him as your Lord and Savior today?

 

 

Carefully Consider Your Kingdom Connection

Parables of Kingdom Growth

If you have your Bibles this morning, and I trust that you do, please take them and find Luke 13:18.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Parables of Kingdom Growth.”

 

We are studying Luke’s Gospel verse by verse and chapter by chapter. Today is also Back in the Game Sunday, and today’s text in Luke fits perfectly for this time and this Sunday in the life of our church.

 

Luke 13 is all about the kingdom of God.  We will even see that wording in today’s verses 18 and 20.

 

So far, we have talked about entrance into the kingdom of God.  It happens by or through repentance.

 

We have also talked about opposition to the kingdom of God.  The ruler of the synagogue filled that role last Sunday, and Jesus called him a hypocrite.

 

Next Sunday, we will look at the triumph of the kingdom of God.  Said another way, we will see the ultimate victory of the kingdom of God.

 

However, today’s parables, and there are two, speak to the growth of the kingdom of God.  This was encouraging word to these disciples because they had just heard Jesus confront opposition to the kingdom of God, and perhaps, they were worried.

 

When we talk about parables, we need a working definition.  A parable is an earthly story or a familiar story that had a double meaning.  It had the normal, earthly meaning, but it also had a spiritual or heavenly meaning.

 

Also, from past studies, please remember Jesus’ purposes in using parables. He used these stories to conceal realities from those who were opposed to Him or didn’t want to understand.

 

He also used parables to reveal mysteries like He did in today’s text.  He did this for His disciples and those who received Him and wanted to know and understand more.

 

Third, Jesus used parables to fulfill prophecies.  That could also be said about today’s parables about kingdom growth.  Jesus was predicting the future through these two earthly stories.

 

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

In other instances, Jesus has used the mustard seed to teach us about our faith.  See Matthew 17:20.

 

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

 

In another instance, Jesus used the mustard seed to teach us about our forgiveness.  See Luke 17:3-6.

 

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”  5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”  6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

In Luke 13, Jesus used a mustard seed to teach about the kingdom’s future.  Remember, He had just talked about opposition to the kingdom.  Therefore, I believe these parables speak positively and are meant to encourage us.

 

In verse 19, the kingdom of God was compared to a tiny, black mustard seed.  It was the smallest seed known to this audience.

 

In the parable, a man took this seed and put in his garden, and surprise!  Picture in your mind a fleck of pepper.

 

The tiniest of seeds grew into such a large tree, that birds of the air could nest in its branches. This tree would have been between 10-15 feet tall.

 

In other words, the kingdom of God may start off in seemingly small fashion.  However, take heart.  It will grow in enormous capacity. 

 

We see this reality illustrated in Jesus’ life.  See Isaiah 53:1-2.

 

1 Who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,

And as a root out of dry ground.

He has no form or comeliness;

And when we see Him,

There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

 

But do you remember how Jesus will return?  See Revelation 19:11-16.

 

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

 

KING OF KINGS AND

LORD OF LORDS.

 

This first parable was agrarian in nature.  The primary audience was probably men, and it speaks of the kingdom’s future, external growth even through it started small.

 

Apply this parable to ministry opportunities here at EBC.  You might think of them as small or insignificant.  However, don’t underestimate the kingdom of God growing enormously from small acts or humble beginnings.

 

This is true for being part of our Celebration Choir.  It is true for praying in our Prayer Room.  It is true for sewing quilts or Backpack Buddies or handing out candy at our Fall Festival.

 

The kingdom of God WILL grow mightily.  Will you commit to small acts or planting seeds of ministry?

 

 

The Parable of the Leaven

Your Bible may say yeast.  However, look at verses 20 and 21.

 

Again, Jesus asked what the kingdom of God was like.  Keep in mind that in other instances, leaven is used to represent evil.  That is not true here.

 

This parable is not about agriculture but cooking.  It doesn’t involve men but women.  It doesn’t focus on the external that you can see.  It focuses on the internal that you can’t see.

 

In this parable, a woman takes a pinch of leaven because that is all that is needed.  She then kneads it into 60 pounds of flour, and that small amount leavened the entire batch.

 

Think of about this parable as it relates to discipleship.  When you allow the kingdom of God or the Gospel to affect just a little of your life, because of the nature of the kingdom and the gospel, it will begin to infect all of your life.

 

Follow Jesus in your marriage, and then Jesus will infect your parenting.  Follow Jesus in your parenting, and then Jesus will infect how you handle money.  Follow Jesus in how your handle money, and Jesus will infect how you live your life at work and school and how you recreate.

 

The kingdom of God and the Gospel, though small and working internally, can affect and infect every area of our lives and our church and our community and our county.  Our job is get the gospel inside of us.

 

You will get the Gospel in a Sunday School Small Group and our study of Luke.  You will get the Gospel in our Sunday night study of 2 Samuel. You will get the Gospel in Wednesday Worship and Grief Share and Celebrate Recovery and WOM and TEL and our reading groups.

 

When you get it, it will affect and infect every part of your life.  Will you get as much as you can?

 

 

Conclusion

Our invitation today is twofold.  First, will accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior admitting you are lost and in need of Savior?  He is the only qualified Savior period.

 

Second, will you get back in your game taking in the Gospel through discipleship and sowing the seeds of ministry?  My challenge for you today is for you to do that in our church and in our community and in our county.

The Scandal of a Sabbath Healing

Take your Bibles this morning and find Luke 13:10. I want to share message with you entitled, “The Scandal of a Sabbath Healing.”

 

Last Sunday, we resumed our study of Luke’s Gospel, and we started back in Luke 13.  This chapter is all about the kingdom God. 

 

Remember, that wording is used in our text for next Sunday.  See 13:18 and 13:20.

 

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

 

20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

 

In the first nine verses, Jesus spoke about entrance into the kingdom of God.  How do you enter?  You must repent or perish.

 

Today, we are talking about opposition to the kingdom of God.  The rest of the chapter speaks to the growth of the kingdom of God and the triumph of the kingdom of God.

 

In our text, I want to make three observations with you.  They are a demonstration by the Healer, indignation about the healing, and the humiliation of the hypocrites.

 

 

1. A Demonstration by the Healer, Luke 13:10-13

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 

 

In verse 10, we see Jesus was teaching the synagogue.  It was the Sabbath. 

 

That means it was Saturday, and we know what the 4^th Commandment is.  See Exodus 20:8-11.

 

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

Verse 11 introduces another main character.  This woman shuffled into Jesus’ sight hunched over because a demon had afflicted her with a physical condition for 18 years.  The end of the verse says she was bent over and could not straighten up.

 

Her three strikes were she was a woman.  Second, it was thought that she was suffering for her sin.  Third, she had endured this for 18 years.

 

BTW…It seems that this woman may have been like Job.  God may have been testing her faith.  She wasn’t demon possessed at this time, but Satan had definitely caused her sickness.  God may be testing your faith as well.

 

But Jesus saw her, and called out to her in verse 12.  He spoke her healing, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 

 

The language of the NT indicates she was healed and would be healed permanently.  That mirrors our salvation.  When God saves, He saves us for eternity. 

 

Then, in verse 13, laid His hands on her.  She was then made straight.  Her back was no longer bent over or double.

 

BTW…Long before this woman saw Jesus, He saw her.  Before she spoke to Him, He spoke to her.  Long before you chose Jesus, Jesus chose you.  Long before you wanted to be saved, Jesus wanted to save you.

 

Immediately, she was healed.  Then, she glorified God who healed her and for her healing.  

 

BTW…When Jesus answers our prayer, we should praise Him and glorify Him with our words and lives.

 

 

1. Indignation about the Healing, Luke 13:14

14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore, come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” 

 

The ruler of the synagogue saw what happened, and it greatly displeased him.  That is what indignation means.

 

However, keep in mind that healing on the Sabbath is nowhere prohibited.  Jesus spoke, and Jesus touched. 

 

Instead of speaking to Jesus, he spoke to the crowd, and insinuated that work had been done, and Jesus was guilty.

 

 

• The Humiliation of the Hypocrites, Luke 13:5-17

15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

 

In verse 15, Jesus responded. He not only spoke to the ruler, but to the people as well.

 

He called them hypocrites.  Why?

 

He asked a rhetorical question at the end of verse 15 regarding treatment of their animals.  If their animals were thirsty on the Sabbath, would they lead them to water to drink?  The answer is an implied yes.

 

Guess what?  If that is true of animals, it should be true for human beings.  This woman was a faithful Jew, but Satan had attacked her for 18 years.  However, she was more important than animals.

 

BTW…So are you.  I get it that we love our pets, and they become family.  However, they are not as important or more important and valued as humans are.  God loves those He created in His image more than animals. 

 

In verse 16, should this woman be loosed the same way these animals should be?  Yes, of course.

 

Consequently, Jesus opponents were put to shame.  They were humiliated.  However, there were others who rejoiced at what He had done.

 

 

Applications

So what do we take away?

 

First, there will always be opponents of the kingdom of God.  Make sure that is not you.  Will call on the name of the Lord to save you today?

 

Second, Jesus wants ultimately heal you spiritually.  However, I believe He also desires to heal you physically.  Will you all on Him to heal your sickness and disease and condition today?

 

Finally, when you question God or God’s people, make sure your standard and final authority is God’s word, the Bible.  In other words, recognize your preferences for what they are.  They are just preferences.