Irmela

4. The host commands his servant to invite the poor and outcast both inside the town and outside in the rural areas. Who do these two groups probably represent? These represent a class definately not able to reciprocate the invitation in any way whatsoever. They very likely represent the low classes in Jewish Society. (the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame in the confines of the town) Then the invite went further afield, in the roads and country lanes. These were urged to come. (These could possibly be the Gentiles).

3. Why is the host angry? (14:21) Lots of planning, expense, time etc was put into getting everything together so that the event could take place. (see answer given by Hanks) Now at the last minute the invitation is turned down. Things that came between accepting and rejecting the invitation : possession/wealth; commerce/labour; emotions/human affection. The underlying reason for the rejection seems to be much more though, just as the rejection of God is much more. It is hostility towards the host. A front is put on at first and then, when push comes to shove, it is all just a sham acceptance.

2. How credible are the invited guests' excuses for not coming? (14:18-20) Who do the invited guests in the parable represent? The excuses are very lame. Buying a field and only doing an inspection after the purchase. Trying out oxen (not just 2prs but 5 yoke) after having bought them. Knowledge of a prior happening (getting married) and still accepting an invitation to such an important event. They represent the Jewish Nation, who were the first to be invited.

1. What did the pious guest in 14:15 believe about the feast in the Kingdom of God? They believed that it was reserved for the Pharisees and those according to society who were pious, who kept the "tradition of the elders" and were looked up to because of this lifestyle. The Jewish social elite.

7. List in one column the character flaws you see exhibited in 14:1-14; in a second column list the virtues that Jesus wants to flourish in their place. hypocrisy honesty pride humility humiliation honor self exaltation humble

6. What does Jesus' invitation recommendation have to do with the evangelistic and social strategies of our local congregations? How should it affect our strategies? Invite those and work among those who cannot repay you. Others of high standard but good moral integrity will very likely come along and work beside you and together more can be wrought than alone. Like that those will be reached who do not have the same access as the more prominent in society.

5. What was the host's probable motive for inviting Jesus to dinner? What dinner invitation strategy does Jesus recommend? Why? (14:12-14) It would enhance his social position or status. He had invited the young popular teacher from Galilee and also prominent Pharisees. (This would be the talk of the town). He allowed himself to be used so that his so called Pharisee friends could trap Jesus into healing or not healing on the Sabbath day. Or maybe fail in something else (their petty rules). These prominent people were invited so that they would in turn invite him again to an important function. Jesus recommends that people get invited who will not be able to repay the offer of a dinner at their house. That the invitation is given out of the goodness of your heart not to climb the social ladder. The reward will be so much greater. In fact it will be given at the resurrection of the just .

4. In what ways do we try to garner public approval by our actions? How does verse 11 apply to our lives and actions? Maybe by doing something good that will be seen by the public. (?????) If we stay humble and do things without trying to get public approval, then others in authority will either club in and help making it a well worth it effort, alternately they will praise your efforts. No use you doing it ... That's pride

3. Why did the guests at this dinner party try to get to the best seats before the others? What does that reveal about them? (14:7-11) If I use my imagination a bit and read between the lines, this seems to have been a very important dinner party. The host had taken the plunge and invited Jesus (a very popular teacher from Galilee) and some of the circle of prominent Pharisees. They all seemed to clamour for best seats so they could be right up front with the conversation between the host and the important guest. Their motives could have been selfish, but also a high estimation of their own importance. The more important the seat you were at, at such a dinner, the higher your public status was. (It can be taken as showing off their importance in the community, among the dinner guests).

1. What do you think the man with dropsy is doing at this dinner? What was the Pharisees' attitude about the man? About healing the man on the Sabbath? (14:1-2) The first thing that stands out for me was that there was a dinner served at a Pharisees house on a Sabbath day. I may be wrong, but I understand that the meeting together at the synagogue on a Sabbath day was above board. But for a special dinner ... not so sure. In Exodus 16:29 we read "Let every man remain in his place, let no man leave his place on the 7th day." (Maybe this was just in the desert) Then, (let's take it to all be above board) , we are told that Jesus was being carefully watched. Why was He being watched? Something was afoot. Then ... v2 " in front of Him was a man who had dropsy." Not just one of the guests. But specifically "in front of Him". No doubt Jesus would have noticed him. Jesus was watched to see what His reaction would be towards this sick person, be it friend or family or just fellow-Pharisee. They obviously did not think the presence of the sick person, in their midst would render them unclean. The Pharisees did not answer the question about "healing" on the Sabbath.

8. In verse 30, who are the "last" who become first, and who are the "first" who become last? The Jews as the chosen people would have seen themselves to be first. But they rejected their Messiah. So the Gentiles got the chance and many of the different races have accepted Him. So they now stand first. The time will come and the Jews will turn again and acknowledge Christ as their Messiah. So now we see the roles reversed. The Jews who should have been first are now last and the Gentiles are first.

7. Is the banquet an actual chronological event or a figure of something else? If so, what? I understand it to be the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb". Where we the church as His bride will be presented without spot or wrinckle. Rev 19:7 & 8. From here on we will forever be with our LORD. Whatever it will be it will be glorious.

6. What do you look forward to about this Eschatological Banquet in the Kingdom of God? What do you think it will be like? To be together with my Lord and Saviour. To join again with loved ones who have gone on before, never to be parted again. I cannot even begin to imagine what it will be like. Just awesome i guess.

5. This passage is very clear that the opportunity for salvation is time-limited. When will it be too late for an individual? For mankind? When you die your chance to change your mind and repent is over. When "time" is no more it will end for mankind.

4. Jesus' command to struggle to enter the narrow door is a very strong one -- agōnizomai, "strive, struggle, fight." How do you justify this kind of command with the Bible doctrine of predestination and election? Is it man's effort or God's that is required? It is a choice we need to make to come in by the door. God knows what our choice is. It is not a surprise to Him. We still have to make it though. He does the forgiveness part. We still have to do the repentance or turning away from the sin. So there is a thing "to do" on our side. Without repentance there is no entrance. Someone explained it as follows: You have a fine to pay. Father pays it. But you need to personally collect the paper to show that you are free of the debt. If the paper is not collected it is as good as if the fine has not been paid. God has done His part. Now it is for us to do ours.

3. How does the host getting up and closing the door communicate Jesus' message through this parable? What does that mean? That answer has been summed up pretty well by "Hanks". The time is coming when no more can enter. Just as with Noah and the Ark. I'm sure they were invited. But when the final time came to enter, the door was shut and it was FINAL. only those inside were saved. The host closes the door and no more can enter (it is with an urgency that Jesus is saying this). God closed the Ark and no more could enter. Entrance requires repentance and change. That is that striving. Not easy to let go a habit. Not easy to acknowledge a secret sin and turn away from it. That is the part we have to do. Repent, change, let go, confess etc eventual entrance and start afresh.

2. What does the "narrowness" of the door have to do with the point Jesus is communicating in this parable? It will take an effort to get into the narrow door. It is an individual entry. Two cannot enter at the same time. It is cramped and not an easy entrance. Jesus is telling us to strive to enter don't take things casually. Don't stay on the outside. Leave all encumbrances behind. There is no space to take them along. You will not be able to enter the doorway with them.

1. Does Jesus really answer the question in verse 23, "Are only a few people going to be saved?" If so, what is his answer? The question does not get answered directly. Jesus responds by telling a story. If I understand the response correctly, we are urged not to look at the next man (not to judge anyone) but to make sure that we as individuals are ready and saved. By this I am not saying that I need to leave them alone and not witness etc sure PRAY but it is up to each individual. You cannot push them through the narrow doorway. You cannot decide for them. You can help where necessarily but it is each one's own decision. Also by their actions you cannot say ... this one will go to heaven, but not that one. etc. God knows the hearts.

3. How has God expanded your vision of his Kingdom? In what areas do you need an expanded vision? It is very interesting to see the differing views of the explanation of these parables. I do believe that it is a picture of what it has become in the world of this age. I see also that Christ's Kingdom is ultimately not of this world. I do see that we are to tell all or to share with, alternately to show in our lifestyles that the Kingdom of God has come.

2. Why did the disciples in particular need to understand these parables? They probably understood much better than we do, because they were familiar with the similarities used. They needed to make choices. They had to choose would they be part of something that big and heed the very discreet warning Christ gave. They were the start from which the growth would shoot out from. And it indeed did. Within a few decades the Gospel had spread far. The abnormal growth was reflected.

1. What about God's kingdom is impossible to comprehend without understanding these parables? In these parables we see abnormal growth. The tiny mustard seed growing into a tree (according to Campbell Morgan, Parables and Metaphors of our Lord, this was a herb and as a shrub it was already outdoing itself. According to him the parable marks abnormal development.) The leaven too brings growth to the meal. It has indeed grown. But His listeners would have understood the meaning of leaven and also the meaning of the birds finding refuge in the branches. That this was a warning that from something small it would grow very big but that there would be worldly influence to watch out for. The "world" trying to find refuge in it. Looking back in retrospect that is what has happened. This is for this Age though.

6. How is it significant that Jesus calls the lady "a daughter of Abraham"? Have you ever had God speak words of assurance to your heart? This woman was very likely despised by most who saw her, because of her affliction. She did not get much sympathy and love. She knew what it was like to be an outcast of society. She was acknowledged before the whole assembly (not as an outcast) as a daughter of Abraham, the Father of the Jewish race. Wow. How amazing. This was a great honor. She was shown to be a part of and not an outcast of. Yes, so many times. When I have felt lost and broken, unworthy. He has picked me up with a msg sent by someone or an unexpected phonecall or something so out the ordinary it could have been nothing or no one but GOD'S DOING. I have an amazing wonderful God.

5. Does Satan have any "rights" to afflict us with disease? Are there any just grounds for this? Or is he a complete usurper? He has no right. But then again he does things to try and bring glory to himself and discount to God. He is given authority certain times but ultimately God's name will be glorified (refer to Job). Sicknesses come because of the fallen world, just as death does. I guess one can say it is part of the curse. But ... Jeshua took upon Himself on the cross all our sicknesses and diseases.

4. Trace the logic of Jesus' justification of healing this woman on the Sabbath. Why did he use untying a donkey as his illustration? This woman was bound and could not attend to her needs. A donkey was bound so that it would not wonder away. It was a beast of burden, thus a means to carry things. A useful animal but it needed care to keep it close by. On the Sabbath it also needed to drink and eat just like every other day. So it was untied so it could be led to drink. If an animal could be untied for its needs to be fulfilled how much more this woman who had been "tied up" (bound) for eighteen long yrs., for her needs to be fulfilled.