Luke 14:1-6

content/bible_journal/luke_14:1-6.md

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+title = "Luke 14:1–6"
+date = "2022-12-27"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk14.1-6)
+
+With as much animosity as the Pharisees had for Jesus, they invited Him to
+dinner a lot. I can't tell if these dinners are just a way to get close enough
+to Jesus to find things with which to discredit Him, or if they are customary
+for civilized debate in that day, or if they are social obligations for these
+religious elite to be seen with this famous teacher when He comes through their
+towns. This time the host is a "ruler of the Pharisees" (_v. 1_), possibly a
+member of the Sanhedrin&emdash;the ruling council of the Jews. Whatever the
+reasons for inviting Jesus to this dinner, the lawyers and Pharisees were
+watching Him closely.
+
+Jesus gives them a lesson in honoring the Sabbath. Jesus poses a question about
+the law to the experts of the law, one He has contended with the Pharisees
+before: "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?". One of the people at
+the dinner (though probably just an observor, not a guest) was afflicted with
+dropsy, or edema, which is where fluid swells up parts of the body. Jesus calls
+the man over, heals him, then sends him away.
+
+Then He asks the dinner guests if they would rescue a son or ox from a deep
+hole on the Sabbath. Surely they would, in spite of their traditions against
+doing work such as lifting something out of a well. But they are so prideful
+that they don't even answer Him, either "yes" or "no". Even their own
+traditions would say that medical treatment is lawful on the Sabbath if it's
+necessary to save someone's life. And yet, they aren't even willing to say that
+much. They don't want to admin that Jesus might possibly be right about
+anything, because they can't accept being wrong about any little thing.
+
+There's a lot of that attitude in the world today. Tribalism, us-versus-them,
+whatever you want to call it. If an idea comes from someone in the wrong camp,
+it is treated with suspicion and hostility, even if there is some merit to it,
+even if it's something you'd agree with if someone else had brought it up.
+Instead, be humble yet discerning. Listen and be teachable, while always making
+sure what you hear lines up with the Scriptures. Right and wrong do not always
+line up with what you already agree with.
+
+* * *
+
+Help us to recognize and admit when we are wrong, so that we may repent of our
+faults and grow in truth.