Banquets, places

In chapter 14 of Dr. Luke's gospel, there is frequent discussion of banquets, especially the places where one sits in the banquet hall. All this is meant to teach most excellent Theophilus -- and us -- about the kingdom of God. Let's think over a few questions concerning this chapter, including these questions:

1. "But they kept silent." Verse 4 uses the Greek word ησυχασαν, meaning that the room fell silent. Why were the Pharisees and lawyers reduced to silence?
2. What is the most important banquet of all? How do you, a Christian, answer?
3. In v. 10, Jesus makes it clear that having everyone see you honored is a good thing, which he encourages. But doesn't that contradict His earlier sayings, in which he cautions against cultivating conspicuous honors in the streets and in the synagogue?
4. When is receiving honor righteous?
5. Verse 12 cautions the men at table with Jesus, avoid inviting those who can repay to lunches or dinners, as something never to be trapped into. Why should they flee this situation? How does this kind of invitation compare to the invitations Jesus does encourage?
6. In v. 15, a man exclaims the blessedness of one who dines in the kingdom of God, but in v. 24, Jesus turns the table on this man, it seems, saying, "... none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner." What effect would this admonition by Jesus have on the man who initially made the exclamation?
7. Jesus directs us to renounce the earthly relationships and possessions. Does that square with the parables of counting the cost in verses 28-32, in which one carefully accounts for the things one has?
8. Again, Jesus cautions, what if salt itself loses its taste? Salt ought to retain its flavor, yet we ought to renounce our possessions? How does that square up?

There is a lot to work out and learn in this chapter. Let's begin this morning and ask the Lord to invite us higher!

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