Sunday: The Narrow Way — Luke 13:22-30
Jesus did not answer the question that was posed to Him, of how many would be saved. Instead, He stressed that every man should make sure of his own salvation. He indicated that there is a door through which each man must seek entry. The door is like a gate to a man’s spiritual home. It is also the gate to eternal life and the fate of this world. Many close the door and don’t seek to enter and Jesus expresses that their reward will be eternal punishment.
Monday: His Coming Death — Luke 13:31-35
The Greek word used here for fox referred to the most contemptuous name that could ever be used to refer to a person. Its intent was to describe the most wickedly motivated individual. Jesus boldly rebuked Herod and told the Pharisees that God’s will was going to unfold, whether they liked it or not! Jesus knew all about their wicked plans to murder Him and He lamented that God’s children’s hearts were so hard that they couldn’t recognize God’s Son and even wanted to kill Him. As deeply as God desired the redemption of Jerusalem, God still allowed mankind the freedom of choice; and Israel’s choice was to reject the King of Kings.
Tuesday: The Man with Dropsy — Luke 14:1-6
Jesus performed many miracles on the Sabbath. The Pharisees invited Jesus to have the Sabbath meal at the home of one of their group. Outside there was an ill man. The situation appeared to be a trap carefully concocted by the Pharisees because they asked Jesus if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus responded by asking them if it was true that the law did not condemn acts of mercy on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were at a loss as to how to respond. If they answered, “Yes,” they would have had no case against Jesus. If they answered, “No,” they would have been lying.
Wednesday: Be Humble — Luke 14:7-14
When Jesus noticed that the persons invited to the Pharisees home for the Sabbath meal were anxious to sit in the best seats, He began to instruct them about the importance of being humble. He also instructed that it was important to be hospitable to those who couldn’t repay your generosity. Both these actions of humility were characteristics God would honor. He was instructing them on how to lay up their treasures in heaven.
Thursday: Parable of the Great Supper — Luke 14:15-24
This parable is easy to understand when the main elements are defined: the man is God; the great supper is God’s Kingdom; and the “many” are the Israelites. Additionally, the servant represents God’s messengers; and the time of the supper refers to the advent of the Messiah. But when the messengers went out to invite the people, they gave weak and flimsy excuses as to why they couldn’t attend. So the master opened the invitation to anyone who desired to attend.
Friday: Cost of Discipleship — Luke 14:25-33
In order to be a disciple of Christ, one must love Him more than any other thing, including oneself. Loving the Lord above all else is part of the sanctifying plan of salvation.
Saturday: The Salt — Luke 14:34-35
The metaphor of salt in this passage is different from that used in Matthew 5, where the Christians are viewed as “the salt of the earth.” Here salt is representative of an inward condition and stands for the spirit of self-sacrifice and self-renunciation. The salt represented the disciples who counted the cost and paid the price.