Primary Text: Luke 13:22-14:35
Memory Verse: Luke 14:12-14
Introduction:
Jesus had been invited to the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees. He had gone there to have the Sabbath meal. The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely, hoping to trap Him. Using the very law they wanted to trap Him with, Jesus turned the tables on them, and their objections to Him healing on the Sabbath were silenced.
Knowing the innermost secrets of their hearts and seeing their actions prompted Jesus to teach a parable known as “The Great Supper.” This parable has similarities to “The Wedding Feast” found in Matthew 22:1-14, but they aren’t the same parable. First, the occasion is different. The parable of the Wedding Feast was told when Jesus was in the Temple during His final week on earth. The parable of the Great Supper was told at the house of a Pharisee at an earlier period, prior to Jesus travelling to Jerusalem.
Preliminary to the telling of the Great Supper parable, Jesus told a parable about taking the low place. He noticed that the guests were striving to take the best seats at the dinner. Jesus instructed that those who seek to be first, will be last; and those who are last will be first.
Then Jesus made the observation that the persons who had been invited to the Sabbath meal were ones who could have repaid the invitation. He told His host that when he had a dinner, He should invite those who can’t repay. He is stressing hospitality towards those who can’t repay us in life,
The Great Supper was symbolizing the period of time to come after Jesus’s resurrection. God extended the invitation of salvation to first the Jews, then to the Greeks (Gentiles). God desires that all be saved, so the invitation is to all.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- The gift of salvation is free, but what responsibility do we have towards that gift? Luke 13:24; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Philippians 1:27.
- What outcome awaits those who say they love God but don’t show they love Him? Luke 13:27; Matthew 7:23; Luke 12:9.
- What evidence is there that Jesus had foreknowledge of His death, burial, and resurrection? Luke 13:33; John 13:33; 18:4, 32.
- What did the religious guest believe about the feast in the Kingdom of God? Luke 14:15.
- What does God desire for each of us concerning the Great Supper? 1 Timothy 2:3-6; Titus 2:11; 2 Peter 3:9.
- What weak excuses do we give God for not doing as He asks? Luke 14:18-20; Exodus 4:1, 10; Judges 6:15; Jeremiah 1:6-7.
- Why is the master angry about the response of His chosen people? Luke 14:21; Ephesians 5:6; Romans 1:18; 2:8.
- What does the master’s new command tell us about soul winning? Luke 14:23; Malachi 1:11; Acts 1:8; Revelation 14:6.
- How can we keep our lives fresh and preserved, as if flavored by salt? Luke 14:34-35; Hebrews 10:38; Luke 8:13; 9:62; Proverbs 14:14.