Faithful on Fridays Blog

Scene Ten

Included in Luke’s gospel are many stories he alone included as the interviews continued (chapters 14-16). Why so many more parables? As we work our way through them we’ll find some patterns and doctors love patterns: in family histories, illnesses, and diagnoses. There are back to back parables in Chapter 14 and even though they’re different they contain a similar theme: humility. The first one used the example of being invited to a dinner party, but also, Jesus included being the host of that party; He magnificently weaved the heart-attitude from each perspective. That lower story gave Him the opportunity to speak to the people of the coming, final Marriage Banquet at the end of time. Humility is the key. 

In the second story Jesus spoke again about a great banquet in case you didn’t get it the first time. Invitations were sent out, excuses came pouring in, and the host filled his house with others who accepted his invitation. It seems that our Savior was clearly teaching there’s a cost to discipleship that everyone is not willing to pay. 

Counting the cost for following Christ is serious business (vs. 25-33) as Luke is learning, like a builder or a wartime king; being a disciple is giving up what the world has to offer in exchange for what God offers. As we follow Christ that upper story becomes so much more valuable: peace, contentment, joy … much higher value than financial gain without them. 

Chapter 15 contains three stories of ‘lost things’, however, only Luke includes the lost coin and lost (or prodigal) son. Whenever lost things are found, as each story portrays, there is great rejoicing. Luke was clearly fascinated by Jesus, the Master Storyteller, and he was learning to be a follower of This Man.

Lastly, chapter 16 contains a unique and puzzling parable of a ‘shrewd manager’ whose story is identified as exaggerated contrast; that means you don’t pick apart every detail, but look at the ridiculous differences and Jesus’ kicker at the end. He wants His followers to be shrewd, insightful, and discerning, with razor-sharp intelligence like the dishonest manager. Not being dishonest but planning ahead, looking at your future, and making a plan. How do we act shrewdly in this life as a disciple of Christ? How about righting some wrongs within our power (bringing justice), showing generosity through acts of service, and maintaining insightful awareness of the circumstances of others, shrewdly lending a helping hand? That’s the contrast that sets us apart from the ‘sons of this world’ as ‘sons of light’ loving our neighbors as we do ourselves. That’s the kicker and what made the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, so mad.

Luke’s reaction to these stories must’ve hit home since he was undoubtedly raised with wealth, received a higher education, and was probably well-off financially now. Was Luke comparing his own life, where his priorities were, as he listened to people share the Jesus Story? Maybe we should too.