Luke 14:1-6 | A Devotional

Yesterday, I submitted my Journey article for 2010. At first, I was not all that sure about the passage I was given. Luke 14:1-6 is typically viewed as an introductory story to set up a greater teaching. I was originally preparing to write something rather obvious about the dangers of legalism (this story is about a Sabbath healing). As I continued to meditate, however, my heart fell in love with what I now see as an amazing story of grace, restoration, love, and adoption. During a time when I struggle through attaching my sense of security and provision to God, this passage was a gift of God to me. Here is my devotional:

Passage: Luke 14:1-6

Key Verse: 14:5
The he said to them, “Which of you, if you have a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on the Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?”

Central Truth: In God is found restoration, for we are His children.


Do you ever feel ugly, worthless, or rejected? I know I do.

Luke tells us the story of Christ healing a man with Dropsy at the dinner table of some Pharisee leaders and religious scribes. Dropsy is a condition where the body swells as fluid builds up in body tissue or cavities. It’s not a pretty sight. Moreover, rabbis and spiritual leaders believed that Dropsy was a divine punishment for immorality. One can scarcely imagine the judgment and rejection that a person with Dropsy would see in the eyes of those who looked at him, believing him to be nothing more than an ugly, wretched sinner who was being justly punished for some ungodly lifestyle. It’s probably a safe bet that this man felt alone, worthless, judged, and totally undesirable. Furthermore, he likely felt personally rejected by God.

Such a man would not randomly be at the table of a Pharisee leader. It is widely believed that he was placed there purposefully to tempt Jesus into healing on the Sabbath. So, it would seem that the man is also being overtly used as a pawn by the bullies of societal and religious elitists.

As the story goes, Christ does heal the man on the Sabbath, which He was apt to do. Outside of Christ’s initiation, two things stand out to me. First, Christ did not merely verbally command healing, but healed while “taking hold of him.” The Son of God touched him where he was most rejected.

Second, Christ justifies His Sabbath healing by asking which of the Pharisees would not save his own son or ox on the Sabbath. In this, He is recalling a combination of Mosaic law (Exodus 23) and rabbinic tradition (Shabbat 128b) while specifying within His question to the Pharisees the context of saving their very own. In this way, Christ is implying that He has the right to heal this man because the man belongs to Christ.

These religious leaders purported to be the most holy and closest to God, yet it is this rejected man whom Christ claims as His and redeems.

Our God is worthy of our praise.


Discussion Questions:
1. Who do you reject or discount that belongs to God (ex. Jonah 4:5-11)?
2. How does your “rulebook” keep you from effectively being the hands and feet of Christ in this world (ex. Luke 13:10-17)?
3. Do you believe that God cares for your needs (ex. Matthew 6:25-34)?
4. Do you ever feel rejected by God? How aware are you that nothing separates you from His love (ex. Romans 8:31ff)?