Luke 14:1-6 | Revelation 3:14-22
Jesus might be accused of meddling here. Actually, that’s not really fair. Just because this is one of the few times he begins the questioning in conversation doesn’t mean he’s meddling. Maybe.
Regardless, some points of note:
Again, Jesus is found eating with Pharisees. So much has been said against Pharisees over the years that one might assume they should not be associated with. But Jesus continues to eat with them. Take note.
The compassionate logic of Jesus’ question and subsequent action may seem so obvious to us today. If it does, we should pray diligently for our own areas of insufficient vision to be known to us so that we too to not allow law or tradition to keep us from righteousness.
What’s the right thing? That people are healed, restored, given placement at the table.
Also note that Jesus did indeed follow up his airtight argument with action. He didn’t make a point simply to win the conversation. But he stepped up to the plate and played the game.
…and it left the lawyers and Pharisees with no comment.
Luke 14:1-6
One Sabbath, when Jesus went to share a meal in the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees, they were watching him closely. A man suffering from an abnormal swelling of the body was there. Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Does the Law allow healing on the Sabbath or not?” But they said nothing. Jesus took hold of the sick man, cured him, and then let him go. He said to them, “Suppose your child or ox fell into a ditch on the Sabbath day. Wouldn’t you immediately pull it out?” But they had no response.
Revelation 3:14-22
“Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth. After all, you say, ‘I’m rich, and I’ve grown wealthy, and I don’t need a thing.’ You don’t realize that you are miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, and naked. My advice is that you buy gold from me that has been purified by fire so that you may be rich, and white clothing to wear so that your nakedness won’t be shamefully exposed, and ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. I correct and discipline those whom I love. So be earnest and change your hearts and lives. Look! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to be with them, and will have dinner with them, and they will have dinner with me. As for those who emerge victorious, I will allow them to sit with me on my throne, just as I emerged victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
Prayer
God,
Give your Church what you will.
Speak to us your Word.
Share with us your grace.
And in doing so, make us Christ, in whose name we pray,
Amen.