63. Humility

[Pastor Ralph]

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

[Irmela]

1.  What do you think the man with dropsy is doing at this dinner?

What was the Pharisees' attitude about the man? About healing the man on the Sabbath? (14:1-2)

The first thing that stands out for me was that there was a dinner served at a Pharisees house on a Sabbath day. I may be wrong, but I understand that the meeting together at the synagogue on a Sabbath day was above board. But for a special dinner  ...   not so sure. 

In Exodus 16:29 we read "Let every man remain in his place, let no man leave his place on the 7th day." 

(Maybe this was just in the desert) 

Then, (let's take it to all be above board) , we are told that Jesus was being carefully watched. Why was He being watched? Something was afoot.

Then  ...  v2 " in front of Him was a man who had dropsy."

Not just one of the guests. But specifically "in front of Him". No doubt Jesus would have noticed him. 

Jesus was watched to see what His reaction would be towards this sick person, be it friend or family or just fellow-Pharisee. They obviously did not think the presence of the sick person, in their midst would render them unclean. 

The Pharisees did not answer the question about "healing" on the Sabbath. 

[Irmela]

8 minutes ago, Irmela said:

2.  Why did Jesus ask the Pharisees their opinion first? (14:3)

None will be able to accuse Him of wrong doing. 

Jesus was well aware that the Mosaic Law did not prohibit healing on the Sabbath. 

 

[Irmela]

3.  Why did the guests at this dinner party try to get to the best seats before the others? What does that reveal about them? (14:7-11)

If I use my imagination a bit and read between the lines, this seems to have been a very important dinner party. The host had taken the plunge and invited Jesus (a very popular teacher from Galilee) and some of the circle of prominent Pharisees. 

They all seemed to clamour for best seats so they could be right up front with the conversation between the host and the important guest. Their motives could have been selfish, but also a high estimation of their own importance. The more important the seat you were at, at such a dinner, the higher your public status was. (It can be taken as showing off their importance in the community, among the dinner guests). 
 

[hanks]

1. What do you think the man with dropsy is doing at this dinner? What was the Pharisees' attitude about the man? About healing the man on the Sabbath? (14:1-2) 
The fact that Jesus was being carefully watched, leads me to think that the Pharisees had intentionally invited Jesus to trap Him into doing or saying something that they could hold against Him. It had nothing to do with hospitality on their part. And, the fact that the man with dropsy was right there in front of Jesus, leads me to think that he was planted there, again hoping to lead Jesus into a trap. We know that the Pharisees are against any healing on the Sabbath. We have seen these clashes with Jesus earlier in these lessons (6:1-5); (6:6-11); (13:10-17). 
 

[hanks]

2. Why did Jesus ask the Pharisees their opinion first? (14:3) 
Jesus asked their opinion to expose their hypocrisy. If they said that nobody should be healed on the Sabbath, the people would consider them heartless. On the other hand, if they gave permission for healing, their guests would consider them lawless. This was a no-win situation for the Pharisees. Besides these Pharisees and experts of the law knew they could not heal this man, no matter what day it was. The only way they could avoid the issue was to remain silent. Jesus healed the man and let him go because this house was not the safest place for him anymore. His presence was evidence against the Pharisees and proof of the healing power of our Lord. 
 

[hanks]

3. Why did the guests at this dinner party try to get to the best seats before the others? What does that reveal about them? (14:7-11) 
They grab the best seats to be noticed and make them feel important. They sought positions of eminence and honour, believing that the closer they sit to the host, the higher they stood on the social ladder and the more attention they would receive from others. Therefore, we have this rush to the main table and/or positions of note.
To me this reveals their selfishness, self-centeredness, and inflated opinion of themselves. I often see this, even in churches – closest to the Pastor, but I doubt if there is any malicious or nasty intention. They just don’t think of the other people, and they have never read this passage in Luke. This kind of attitude betrays a false view of success; a success that comes only from self-promotion which is false and temporary. Since they may be embarrassed and asked to move down (Prov. 25:6–7). 
 

[Irmela]

4.  In what ways do we try to garner public approval by our actions? How does verse 11 apply to our lives and actions?

Maybe by doing something good that will be seen by the public. (?????) 

If we stay humble and do things without trying to get public approval, then others in authority will either club in and help making it a well worth it effort, alternately they will praise your efforts. No use you doing it  ... That's pride

[hanks]

4. In what ways do we try to garner public approval by our actions? How does verse 11 apply to our lives and actions? 
We have this desire for importance, greatness, renown, prestige, honour, power, or whatever. This self-promotion can assume many disguises and take many forms. We step on others for promotion in the work place, we live in the best houses, drive the best cars, wear the best clothes, the list goes on and on. It is when we look down on other people that we know we are being controlled by pride. Pride which God detests: “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished” (Prov 16:5). It is only when we humble ourselves that we will be exalted (14:11). This reminds me of Jesus’ earlier statement that those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last (13:30). This does not mean that we think we are worth nothing. Healthy self-esteem is important because some of us think too little of ourselves; on the other hand, some of us overestimate ourselves. We need an honest and accurate self-evaluation based on our identity in Christ. Apart from Him there is not much of any worth we can achieve, but in Him we are capable of all things. It is when we start evaluating ourselves by the worldly standards of success and achievement that can lead us to think too much about our worth in the eyes of others and so miss our true value in God's eyes. “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3). The more we grow in grace, the more we will grow in humility. We can all learn from this. I know I can. 
 

[hanks]

5. What was the host's probable motive for inviting Jesus to dinner? What dinner invitation strategy does Jesus recommend? Why? (14:12-14) 
Besides trying to trap Him doing or saying something they could hold against Him; it was also about enhancing their status by inviting a person that was currently in the limelight – receiving so much attention. Jesus noticed at once that the local celebrities had been invited to this meal. The underprivileged people in the community were not invited. Jesus recommends that hospitality should not only be shown to friends, family, and neighbours, because they will invite us back and so will repay us for the invite. Instead, we should invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, then we will be blessed. Meaning that we will then receive eternal blessing from God because these poor will never be able to repay us. God’s reward in heaven is vastly superior to being invited from people on earth. It’s about performing good deeds not for personal gain or temporary reward but for the sake of God and eternal reward. 
 

[hanks]

6. What does Jesus' invitation recommendation have to do with the evangelistic and social strategies of our local congregations? How should it affect our strategies? 
Jesus warns us against getting into the habit of inviting only church members, their family and their friends. Instead, we have this great opportunity to put our Christianity into practice – to love those who are unlovely, and who cannot repay us. Normally the marginalized and outcasts would never be invited to a church banquet, but we are to put these needy people at the top of our guest list. Remember some of them will be there at Jesus’ banquet (14:21). We will be doing this for the Lord’s sake, blessing others by caring, and loving them. We put God’s Word into practice when we don’t think of receiving but rather what it means to truly serve others. When we serve others from unselfish hearts we would be laying up treasures in heaven (Mat 6:20) and as Jesus said we would become rich toward God (12:21). However, getting a reward must not be our motive, if our hearts are right, God will see to it that we are properly rewarded. 
 

[hanks]

7. List in one column the character flaws you see exhibited in 14:1-14; in a second column list the virtues that Jesus wants to flourish in their place. 
Hypocrisy – sincerity
Dishonesty – honesty
Indifference – compassion
Unkind – loving
Indifferent – caring
Greed – generous
Selfishness – selflessness/unselfish
Ignorant – knowledgeable
Proud – humble
Unfeeling – passionate
Immoral – moral
Considerate – disrespectful 
 

[Irmela]

5.  What was the host's probable motive for inviting Jesus to dinner? What dinner invitation strategy does Jesus recommend? Why? (14:12-14)

It would enhance his social position or status. He had invited the young popular teacher from Galilee and also prominent Pharisees. (This would be the talk of the town). He allowed himself to be used so that his so called Pharisee friends could trap Jesus into healing or not healing on the Sabbath day. Or maybe fail in something else (their petty rules). These prominent people were invited so that they would in turn invite him again to an important function. 

Jesus recommends that people get invited who will not be able to repay the offer of a dinner at their house. That the invitation is given out of the goodness of your heart not to climb the social ladder. 

The reward will be so much greater. In fact it will be given at the resurrection of the just . 

[Irmela]

6.  What does Jesus' invitation recommendation have to do with the evangelistic and social strategies of our local congregations? How should it affect our strategies?

Invite those  and work among those who cannot repay you. Others of high standard but good moral integrity will very likely come along and work beside you and together more can be wrought than alone. Like that those will be reached who do not have the same access as the more prominent in society. 

 

[Irmela]

7.  List in one column the character flaws you see exhibited in 14:1-14; in a second column list the virtues that Jesus wants to flourish in their place.

hypocrisy       honesty

pride               humility 

humiliation      honor

self exaltation   humble              

[Old Jerry]

1. What do you think the man with dropsy is doing at this dinner? What was the Pharisees' attitude about the man? About healing the man on the Sabbath? (14:1-2)

 

A. I think that the man with dropsy was invited to trap Jesus. They didn’t care about the man they only wanted to catch Jesus in violating one of their rules.

 

2. Why did Jesus ask the Pharisees their opinion first? (14:3)

 

A. I think he knew it was a plant and he wanted to catch them in one of their own traps.

 

3. Why did the guests at this dinner party try to get to the best seats before the others? What does that reveal about them? (14:7-11)

 

A. They all wanted to be the center of attention. If they had the best seats then they would be highly admired. They were all self-centered.

 

4. In what ways do we try to garner public approval by our actions? How does verse 11 apply to our lives and actions?

 

A. We all want to be rewarded for what we are doing so we do things that the public will see us doing. But God doesn’t want our left hand know what our right hand is doing.

 

5. What was the host's probable motive for inviting Jesus to dinner? What dinner invitation strategy does Jesus recommend? Why? (14:12-14)

 

A. I think that the probable motive that the host invited Jesus was to trap him into doing something that they didn’t think they he should doing. He is telling them that they should invite those that really need to be fed.

 

6. What does Jesus' invitation recommendation have to do with the evangelistic and social strategies of our local congregations? How should it affect our strategies?

 

A. Jesus invitation recommends that we should invite those that don’t have much of a social standing. We need to include all so they can feel involved.

1. What do you think the man with dropsy is doing at this dinner? What was the Pharisees' attitude about the man? About healing the man on the Sabbath? (14:1-2)

 

A. I think that the man with dropsy was invited to trap Jesus. They didn’t care about the man they only wanted to catch Jesus in violating one of their rules.

 

2. Why did Jesus ask the Pharisees their opinion first? (14:3)

 

A. I think he knew it was a plant and he wanted to catch them in one of their own traps.

 

3. Why did the guests at this dinner party try to get to the best seats before the others? What does that reveal about them? (14:7-11)

 

A. They all wanted to be the center of attention. If they had the best seats then they would be highly admired. They were all self-centered.

 

4. In what ways do we try to garner public approval by our actions? How does verse 11 apply to our lives and actions?

 

A. We all want to be rewarded for what we are doing so we do things that the public will see us doing. But God doesn’t want our left hand know what our right hand is doing.

 

5. What was the host's probable motive for inviting Jesus to dinner? What dinner invitation strategy does Jesus recommend? Why? (14:12-14)

 

A. I think that the probable motive that the host invited Jesus was to trap him into doing something that they didn’t think they he should doing. He is telling them that they should invite those that really need to be fed.

 

6. What does Jesus' invitation recommendation have to do with the evangelistic and social strategies of our local congregations? How should it affect our strategies?

 

A. Jesus invitation recommends that we should invite those that don’t have much of a social standing. We need to include all so they can feel involved.

[Katy]

On 10/12/2020 at 4:45 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. The man with dropsey may have been at the dinner to test Jesus to see if He would go against a man made rule of not administering medical help on the Sabbath. However Jesus was well aware of their thoughts. On the other hand this sick man may just be one of the group of Pharisees invited to dinner. That fact that he was sitting in close proximity to Jesus May have been a coincidence but maybe not! 
Q2. I think Jesus was just letting the Pharisees know that He knew what they were thinking. By asking the question He is letting them know His intentions and daring them to object but nobody said a word. 
Q3.They were full of their own importance and wanted the seats near the host which were the important seats at the table. Being seated near the host showed their status. Not a shred of humility among them.

Q4.We all want to feel good about ourselves so we subtly let people know how good we are and the good things we do. However that is not the way Jesus wants us to live. Nobody needs to know about our good deeds except God. In this way He will reward us in time, if we tell people how good we are we have already received our reward in this world . Our good deed should be done in love for Our Lord and Saviour.

Q5. The hosts motives for asking Jesus to dinner were probably selfish. Jesus was an interesting, radical teacher and it would look good for the host to be able to say that he had invited Jesus to dinner. He would also be able to tell them first hand about Jesus. He just wanted to advance his own social position. However Jesus introduced another topic of conversation: who one should invite to your dinner party! Jesus suggests that he should invite people who are in need , those who are unable to have him back to dinner. This should be done out of love and caring, not purely for selfish reasons.

Q6.We should use our hospitality as a means of showing love to those around us who maybe are in different and difficult situations, also as a means of building relationships before  sharing the gospel with people. 

[haar]

1.    What do you think the man with dropsy is doing at this dinner? What was the Pharisees' attitude about the man? About healing the man on the Sabbath? (14:1-2)

The man with the dropsy might have been planted there to test Jesus to see if he would heal on the Sabbath so that they would find a reason to accuse him of healing on the Sabbath.

The above reasoning is true because the normal attitude of the Pharisee would be to consider the man as unclean and thus prevent him from coming to the meal.

They certainly preach against healing on the Sabbath.

2.    Why did Jesus ask the Pharisees their opinion first? (14:3)

He asked them of their opinion just to test them and to give them the opportunity to oppose his intention to heal on the Sabbath.

3.    Why did the guests at this dinner party try to get to the best seats before the others? What does that reveal about them? (14:7-11)

It is usually due to the feeling of being important and to be noticed. Selfishness and pride may also be other reasons.

4.    In what ways do we try to garner public approval by our actions? How does verse 11 apply to our lives and actions?

In several ways. One way is the way we offer gifts just to attract human approval or praise. I think I am guilty of this. Forgive me Lord.

5.    What was the host's probable motive for inviting Jesus to dinner? What dinner invitation strategy does Jesus recommend? Why? (14:12-14)

The most probable reason was to trap him to take any action that will violate their legalistic self- made laws and attitude so that they will find a reason to accuse him.

Jesus however used the opportunity to teach them to invite the poor who cannot repay because that is where reward from God is obtained.

6.    What does Jesus' invitation recommendation have to do with the evangelistic and social strategies of our local congregations? How should it affect our strategies?

Invitation should not be only to high class but to all and without giving any preference to the well-to do

7.    List in one column the character flaws you see exhibited in 14:1-14; in a second column list the virtues that Jesus wants to flourish in their place

[Godswriter]

What do you think the man with dropsy is doing at this dinner? What was the Pharisees' attitude about the man? About healing the man on the Sabbath? (14:1-2)

A.  I believe that the dropsy man was there to trap Jesus by the Pharisees. They were using him as a tool for their own purposes. They believed healing on the Sabbath was a sin. 

Why did Jesus ask the Pharisees their opinion first? (14:3)

A. To see how they were trying to trap HIm and then to flip the tables on them and embarass the. 

Why did the guests at this dinner party try to get to the best seats before the others? What does that reveal about them? (14:7-11)

A.  Simply put they were selfish, prideful and lazy they wanted it before anyone else. Like I said their interests were only in themselves. 

In what ways do we try to garner public approval by our actions? How does verse 11 apply to our lives and actions?

A. Through acclaim over things we do not realizing that is not what God wants for us. We need to be obedient to Christ and not self centered. 

What was the host's probable motive for inviting Jesus to dinner? What dinner invitation strategy does Jesus recommend? Why? (14:12-14)

A.  To trap Him in a violation of levitical law. 

What does Jesus' invitation recommendation have to do with the evangelistic and social strategies of our local congregations? How should it affect our strategies?

A. To invite those who cannot repay so yo become blessed for serving the least of these. Cause to be more Christ centered and less self focused.

   List in one column the character flaws you see exhibited in 14:1-14; in a second column list the virtues that Jesus wants to flourish in their place

Pride Laziness and desire for honor   Humility  Obedience to God and also diligence and desire to obey God

[George L]

1. What do you think the man with dropsy is doing at this dinner? He may have been very important. He was essentiallybeith Jesus the main guest at the table. What was the Pharisees' attitude about the man? Ambivalint. They perhaps brought him as a test of healing on the sabath. Many Pharasees were believers but afraid to letit be known. In that case theyvput their friend in front of Jesus in hope he would heal him, then acted their public expectation.  About healing the man on the Sabbath? (14:1-2) Jesus placed many people squarely onto the serious meat of the belief system. Avoiding milk subjects. It was the huge burden of the traditions that God opposed. It denied the perfection of Moses recorded law given by God.

2. Why did Jesus ask the Pharisees their opinion first? (14:3) There are three levels of commitment to a belief. What do the experts say, what do you say, and put your money where your mouth is. Jesuscut to the chase. Essentially let us address the real issue here.  There is one  such seriously deathly ill before me. Do you believe the tradition outweighs his need on the sabath? Their fear was made clear to them.

3. Why did the guests at this dinner party try to get to the best seats before the others? Self gratification in the pecking order of the town and their ‘rise’. What does that reveal about them? (14:7-11) They were more interested in place in society than service to thectown and others.

4. In what ways do we try to garner public approval by our actions? I have always been more interested in solving technical problems, I have been very uncaring about social niceties. Once explained to the boss about anassignment that itvwas like sending a bull to a china shop to fix a problem. If they wanted me to leave I would cause even more problems coming back out.  He said “You are empowered.” I fixed the problems, they weren’t happy. I went on to the next problem. How does verse 11 apply to our lives and actions? I am a strange duck. I see all that go on. I even try to avoid the banquets. The inly way they got me to my senior prom was to make me chairman of the prom committee. I had to go.

5. What was the host's probable motive for inviting Jesus to dinner? Socially need to be seen with the bew sensation. What dinner invitation strategy does Jesus recommend? Pick the lower seat. Why? Avoid being publicly humiliated. Which to them was their public value. Amazing that he told them how to best accomplish the status gamecin safety for their position. (14:12-14)

6. What does Jesus' invitation recommendation have to do with the evangelistic and social strategies of our local congregations? Weare promised that the poor will always be with us. Not so the rich. He who is forgiven much will love more. Also a sign the poor are a better choice for your flock. How should it affect our strategies? The worst off, most aflicted, are most in need of God’s blessings and will be most grateful. More service minded to give what they received freely away to others. The wellnoff tend to think they arecgetting a reward for being so wonderful, not a good position to be in.

7List in one column the character flaws you see exhibited in 14:1-14; in a second column list the virtues that Jesus wants to flourish in their place.

Selfish           Giving,

Vain               Humble,

Critical.          Useful,

Fault Finding Corrective teaching.