Luke 16:19-31
I skipped over the Shred Manager story because I already preached on that, and I landed on this bombshell. Theologians have been arguing over this question for centuries. The more important issue is why Jesus told this story at this point and how important it is to our own personal eschatology. Oops! I mean to our own end of time on earth.
Luke
We’re into what theologians call “The Luke Interlude” – stories/teachings of Jesus that Luke found in his research that are not found in the other 3 Gospels (books in the Bible about Jesus’ life). Chapter 15 is about 3 lost things – a sheep, a coin, a prodigal son. These stories are so familiar. What else is there to learn here? Have you ever seen rejoicing that explodes throughout heaven? Maybe there is something here yet to learn?
Luke 14:25-35
Did you read what Jesus said here? Doesn’t it sound like a cult? Any religious leader who demands that a follower actually hate his/her own spouse and children in order to be a disciple. . . Wow!! I understand that high quality persons are attracted to high standards. But this is ridiculous! Whatever happened to the Jesus who preached love and responsibility? There has to be an explanation.
Luke 14:15-24
Would you get miffed if after sparing no effort or expense on a lavish banquet for your friends – who said they’d love to come – then discover that they found excuses not to come? The behavior of the rejected host in this story seems to border on vengeance. Does this host really have the right to be so miffed? Or maybe we simply don’t understand how lavish this banquet really is. So, what does this have to do with me?
Luke 14:7-14
Jesus gives a teaching about wedding banquet etiquette followed by a teaching about hosting a luncheon or dinner. Practicing Jesus’ teaching about wedding banquet eti-quette result in being exalted. Practicing Jesus’ teaching about hosting a luncheon or dinner has even better results – repayment at the resurrection! How could we miss this? Or are we practicing this anyway without realizing these benefits? Awesome!!