20160430 Saturday, April 30 2016
Luke 14: Why Did The Messiah Eat With The Pharisees?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"And it came to pass, as He went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath day, that they watched Him"

Much of the New Testament record was written about, or by, a Pharisee. Prior to his conversion, he was known as Saul, but later became known as the apostle Paul (see Paul's Blindness Lesson). About two thirds of the Book of Acts is about Paul's conversion and ministry (see Acts: Luke's Second Letter To Theophilus). Most of the epistles were written by Paul (e.g. 1 Corinthians: That Rock Was Christ and 2 Corinthians: The Devil's Fight Along The Way and 1 Thessalonians: Prove All Things, Hold Fast What Is Good and 2 Thessalonians: The Falling Away Of The Son Of Perdition).

So too, one of the most often-quoted verses of the Holy Bible, John 3:16, and the famous "born again" teaching, was given by the Messiah to an awakened, repentant Pharisee - Nicodemus (see What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16?). Nicodemus was later one of the two very courageous men who claimed the Body of the Messiah off the Cross and placed it in the Tomb (see Joseph and Nicodemus: Making A Stand).

It was not therefore without purpose that the Messiah "went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day." At that point, most remained unbelievers, even hostile unbelievers in some cases, but they were at the same time willing to receive Him into their midst - the meal was in the house of "one of the chief Pharisees," but many others were there.

"14:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 14:2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 14:3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 14:4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 14:6 And they could not answer him again to these things.

14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 14:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (Luke 14:1-14 KJV)

Notice that some of the Pharisees were interested and welcoming toward the true Gospel i.e. "when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God" (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach?). The statement was answered with a lesson from the Messiah that applied not only to those Pharisees, but everyone.

"14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper." (Luke 14:15-24 KJV)

People receive their calling, by means of the Holy Spirit, at different times (see the Fact Finder question below). A natural result of that is that those who are called often face opposition from friends and family members - until the day comes when they too are enlightened.

"14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out.

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 14:25-35 KJV)

Fact Finder: How is it that people are converted at different times?
See The Harvests Of Salvation and The Seasons Of The Firstfruits