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Chapter 4 - Dinner - Indifference
Dinner - Indifference
Luke 14:15
15 And [de] when one [tis] of them that sat at meat with him [sunanakeimai] heard [akouo] these things [tauta] , he said [epo] unto him [autos] , Blessed [makarios] is he [hos] that shall eat [phago] bread [artos] in [en] the kingdom [basileia] of God [theos] . KJV-Interlinear
15 And when one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, 'Blessed is everyone who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!' NASB
Of the many parables we have covered in this study we should see by now that there is blessing in heaven, in the next life, but we cannot expect to gain that blessing if we refuse to do that which is expected of us in this life. It is here where we establish our pattern of behavior toward self, others and of course God.
Jesus has just ended the discourse of blessing which is prepared in heaven for those who are responsible in their spiritual life. Responsibility in the spiritual life begins with salvation. Responsibility continues throughout ones life here on earth, as a Christian reveals just where his priorities really lie, by the pattern of life which he lives.
The person speaking made a common remark, by saying something which comes easily to the mouth, but not so easy by way of practice. 'Blessed is everyone who eats bread in heaven,' is a common saying of the time. In our current day we would say, 'God bless you.' This is a courtesy saying and really means nothing. Saying it carries no result for ones life. Many say, hallelujah, praise the Lord, amen, peace and prosperity, bless you, may the Lord bless you and yours, and so forth. All nice sounding but they do not mean anything.
Jesus' response to this statement reveals its meaning.
The guests have just witnessed Jesus' miracle healing of the sick man. They have just heard His words of wisdom. Did anyone go out to invite the poor to the feast? Did anyone go out to invite the sick man back to the dinner? No. All they have done thus far is ignore Jesus' words and scramble for the best seats in the house. The teaching had no impact on their negative or indifferent minds. One wonders if they weren't all blondes? But of course that would be impossible for that part of the world I suppose !!!
What was the purpose of the statement? Well, the Pharisees had the presumption that heaven was their turf, and anyone expecting to gain entrance into heaven had to go through them. They expected to be automatic entrants into heaven. That was obvious in their minds.
But Jesus will remind them and all of us, that there is only one way to get into heaven, and presuming one has a free ticket into heaven, was not going to prove true. In fact unless these folks present changed their attitude toward the Messiah, who just happened to be sitting right there, then they would not participate in the events, the great banquet, in heaven.
That great feast is prepared already. The guest invitations were already issued. Now it is for the guests to accept the invitations lest they not gain entrance into the great feast of heaven. And we shall see from the parable, that the initial guests did not see heaven as important enough for them to make an effort to go there.
Indifference is the great enemy of the human soul. One has to study doctrine and discover the tremendous value it offers to each one of us, and then place that priority high in our life. Those who find the things of this life as more valuable, will too late, discover their loss for all of eternity.
The greatest loss is of course rejecting salvation. That affects your entire future - Heaven, or the Lake of Fire. No other religion, philosophy, or belief will change that. So believe in Jesus Christ, or your whole eternal future will be beyond terror, and you'll never be able to get out of it. The second course of action for believers (only believers have this option) is the daily life they choose to lead. The impact of this will affect their unique and individual blessings they will receive in heaven. This affects what they will have and enjoy in heaven. Better to be a billionaire when visiting Disneyland, than to just have a free pass into the park.
End of Lesson
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