The 14th and 15th chapters of Luke are an interesting window into the evangelistic tactics of Jesus. Here’s a tentative outline of how I see the narrative.
Luke 14:1-11. Don’t Be Afraid of Upsetting Religious People
(Jesus heals on the Sabbath / teaches on first and the last)
(First parable of dinner guests)
- Extend radical care (v. 4)
- Teach on what is really important (v. 5)
- Show the heart of the Law [Shema] (vs. 8-11)
- Tantalize with the truth (vs. 1-11)
Luke 14:12-24 Target the weak not the powerful.
(The second parable of dinner guests)
- Live low – associate with the lowly
- Live sacrificially – give your place of honor to others
- Live uncomfortably – live for future reward rather than present comfort (v. 14)
- Live actively – have a dinner party for non-friends. (vs. 12-15)
Luke 14:25-35 Shrink the crowd when it gets too large.
- Call for radical commitment
- Require careful self-assessment
- Call for sacrifice
- Expect saltiness
The next three sections are really not three parables but one parable in three movements
(Cf. 15:3, “He told them THIS parable . . .”)
Luke 15:1-7 Evangelize the lost on their own turf (Lost sheep)
(Dining with tax-collectors)
- Be with them
- Respect them
- Value them
- Rejoice with them
Luke 15:8-10 Evangelize the lost with their own terms (Lost coins)
- Use the pictures of their lives
- Enter their emotions
- Celebrate the joys of heaven
- Give the larger context
Luke 15:11-32 Evangelize the hardheads! (Two lost boys)
- Be patient
- Be gracious
- Be enthusiastic
- Be expectant
- Be extravagant
- Be forgiving
I wish I had a context to study, prepare and preach these passages. Perhaps some younger pastor with an eager congregation can think these through and deliver them.
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