One Sabbath, while visiting the house of a prominent Pharisee, Jesus asked, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” Everyone remained silent, so Jesus took hold of a man and healed him. Jesus then spoke about the Parable of the Great Banquet.
Through the Parable, we understand that God’s blessings are for all who respond to his gracious invitation (Luke 14:15-17), but even as that is so, the majority do not wish to dine with him, so make up lame excuses (Luke 14:18-20).
Jesus also emphasizes the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-35) as strongly as he emphasizes the loving invitation of free grace. Jesus said, “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)
When Jesus tells the Parable of the prodigal son, we see the story of love, loss and salvation. The father’s love for his prodigal son reminds us of the love of God who will receive us “when we come to our senses”.
Let us also learn from this statement that the father spoke to his elder son, who felt that his father’s love was so lacking in his life: “My son, the father said, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:31-32)
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)