Parables About Our Heart Lesson 21 Series

A. THE PROBLEM OF EATING ON THE SABBATH – MATTHEW 12:1-8

This confrontation happened as Jesus was traveling from Jerusalem towards home. The disciples (not Jesus) were picking and eating grain as they walked. A “truth squad” was spying on Jesus. Jesus answered them:

1. David ate shew bread (v. 4).

2. The law required the priest to eat (v. 5).

3. Hosea emphasized heart obedience, not outward conformity (v. 7).

4. Jesus claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath (v. 8).

B. PROBLEM OF HEALING ON THE SABBATH – MARK 3:1-6, LUKE 14:1-6

1. There was a man with a withered hand. The Jews watched, “That they might find an accusation against Him” (Luke 6:7).

2. The authorized version reads:

a. Stand forth (v .8).

b. Stretch forth (v. 10).

C. PARABLE ABOUT OUR HEART – LUKE 14:1 – 15:32

“So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:7-11).

1. Parable of the ambitious guest (Luke 14:7-15). The occasion was Jesus eating with Pharisees. He told a story of a man who chose the best seat. “Whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

2. Parable of the great supper (Luke 14:16-24).

“Then He also said to him who invited Him, ‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.’ Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, ‘Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ Then He said to him, ‘A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, “Come, for all things are now ready.” But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper’” (Luke 14:12-24).

a. Outsiders will come to it. “. . . Go out into the highways . . . compel them to come in . . .” (Luke 14:23).

b. Insiders are turned out. “None of those men who were invited (the Jews) shall taste My supper” (Luke 14:24). “Whosoever of you does not forsake all he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.