Pentecost 15 (3)

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Jesus at a Pharisee’s House

14:8–10Ref—,

14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

In the book of James we read a word of caution for teachers.

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Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

This statement acknowledges that whether we like it or not, those who are in the public realm are judged by others. Fans are always evaluating how athletes are performing or even heated exchanges on the sidelines. Our president and other elected officials are constantly being commented on whether it be their personalities, policies, reactions to current events or even what they do on their free time. A pastor would be a fool if he didn’t realize that the members of the congregation are carefully examining what he preaches and teaches. In fact, as those who are taught by others, we are commanded to carefully examine what they have to say and whether or not their actions are in line with what they say.

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On Denying the Incarnation

4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

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True and False Prophets

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

It should come as not surprise then that Jesus was also carefully watched. Unfortunately, many of those times the ones doing the testing did not approve of him and were looking for ways to discredit him. On this occasion they tested whether or not he would show mercy or follow the letter of the traditions regarding the Sabbath. You may have noticed that our text skips several verses. In those verses Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath.

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53 When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54 waiting to catch him in something he might say.

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2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

At that same event, Jesus used the fact that people were paying attention to him to teach several important truths when it comes to interpersonal relationships. His teachings were not unique to him but reinforced several axioms that are sometimes forgotten and bear repeating.

Axiom #1: Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

We heard this teaching in our OT lesson fro Proverbs.

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6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,

and do not claim a place among his great men;

2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

We are reminded that there are certain people who are exalted in the eyes of others. I already mentioned athletes and politicians. Certain people have unique gifts that are above average and even superior to others. Some people are more charismatic, intelligent, athletic, musical, funnier, etc. than others. We do have a tendency to put them up on a pedestal. You may recall that when Israel was looking for its first king that Saul was chosen because of his physical attributes and that when Samuel was sent to anoint the son of Jesse to replace him, he looked at the outward appearance.

Perhaps you have been given certain spiritual gifts that you excel at. You use them to the glory of God and your fellow Christians recognize that and have even complimented you on your faithful service. It is rewarding to be praised for what we do. Although there were those who were jealous of Jesus and looked to discredit him, the book of Revelation teaches us that he is exalted and that in heaven he is worthy to receive glory.

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11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The remarkable thing about Jesus is that during his earthly ministry, even though he has tremendous gifts and used them to teach, preach, heal, show compassion, etc. he conducted himself in a very humble and serving way.

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5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

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by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Jesus teaches the importance of true humility at this meal he was invited to. He noticed that just because it is in the Bible and true, not everyone follows the wisdom of God. Instead of heeding Proverbs, those who considered themselves better than others were using their privilege. Caution against insisting on our rights at the expense of others. Jesus reminded them of Proverbs and the spiritual concept of not tooting your own horn but letting others be the ones to exalt you. (Other passages on this.)

Application: It is a look to the future. We may be in rather humble circumstances right nor or treated as less than we deserve. God will balance the scales.

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6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud

but shows favor to the humble.”

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23 Pride brings a person low,

but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

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15 For this is what the high and exalted One says—

he who lives forever, whose name is holy:

“I live in a high and holy place,

but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and to revive the heart of the contrite.

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6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;

though lofty, he sees them from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

you preserve my life.

You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;

with your right hand you save me.

8 The Lord will vindicate me;

your love, Lord, endures forever—

do not abandon the works of your hands.

Axiom # 2: Reach out to those in humble circumstances without expecting to get paid pack by them.

8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

hhh

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Jesus then continues with what sounds like a page from Emily Post on good etiquette when it comes to inviting guests to a banquet. Many of us have personal experience with the situation. We are having a special meal and have to decide on whom to invite whether it be a small dinner party, a neighborhood picnic, or a wedding dinner for our daughter or son. We can also apply this to whom we would invite to a worship services. There is this thought process that goes like this. I’m going to invite certain people because I’m confident that they will be pay me back later. Or we may lend out things to others trusting that we will come out at least even. It makes sense. It is expressed in the “law of reciprocity” :

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Generosity Encouraged

Jesus then continues with what sounds like a page from Emily Post on good etiquette when it comes to inviting guests to a banquet. Many of us have personal experience with the situation. We are having a special meal and have to decide on whom to invite whether it be a small dinner party, a neighborhood picnic, or a wedding dinner for our daughter or son. We can also apply this to whom we would invite to a worship services. There is this thought process that goes like this. I’m going to invite certain people because I’m confident that they will be pay me back later. Or we may lend out things to others trusting that we will come out at least even.

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

The problem is that we may be tempted to use it manipulatively and not out of true concern for others. The other problem is that because people are sinful, they don’t always follow the principle and take advantage of us.

God, however, is not sinful and he is the one who created the law of reciprocity. He wants us to be generous to others and from a pure heart. And if other people stiff us, God promises that he will not.

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32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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Jesus at a Pharisee’s House

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6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

Conclusion: Jesus is worshiped and honored by millions of Christians world wide and receives perfect worship in heaven now and through eternity. But it wasn’t always like that. And yet, he did not stop doing what he came to do and teaching us how to live humbly and generously. At times we find ourselves in the types of situations revealed in our text. May his words guide us how to live to his glory. Amen.

6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,

4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

14:8–10Ref—,

“God opposes the proud

and do not claim a place among his great men;

but shows favor to the humble.”

14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

What you have seen with your eyes

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”