FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP: CONNECT WITH GOD

There was a lame man before Jesus at a feast, but before Jesus healed the man he wanted to acknowledge the pride from the men at the feast and correct it. Verse 1 of Luke says that they watched Jesus, but in particular judged Jesus, which comes from a feeling of superiority and ultimately pride. Jesus knew they were all prideful. The feast was full of lawyers and Pharisees that didn't believe Jesus should heal the man. They at first disagreed that Jesus should heal the man because it was the Sabbath and the law says no work should be done on that day. Jesus knowing their thoughts asked them questions that if answered truthfully would justify the healing he was about to do for the man with the infirmity. However, none answered because they knew Jesus was right and if they answered they would have been embarrassed because their opinions were wrong. Pride hates admitting your wrong.  Also, Jesus noticed their pride by the seats the men occupied; Jesus knew they were prideful as they took seats of high esteem marking their importance. Jesus proceeds to use an example that if you choose a high esteemed seat and a guest of higher esteem comes then you will be embarrassed when moving to a lower seat. God wants us to be humble and not proud because when you’re proud you can't connect with God. These Pharisees and lawyers were so full of pride they couldn't connect with God.

When you connect with God you learn to trust in him and not in things such as the Sabbath and law that they trusted in. This is what Jael stated Monday’s Blog that God was trying to get them to trust in him rather than things (Monday’s blog Trust in God not Things). To connect with God we must be ready to connect with him. He didn't preform the miracle immediately or reveals God's power he addressed the crowd because he wanted to get them ready for Gods arrival. God wanted them to be humble. As Jamera said on Tuesday got to be ready when God comes. This story, they are not ready as pride disconnected them (Tuesday’s blog Are You Ready?). God tried to humble them to get them to see and glorify in the miracle god was getting ready to do. Due to pride they missed the miracle. Where in this chapter did they glorify God? Pride kept them blind to a miracle and a miracle went unnoticed. As Brittney said in Wednesday’s blog a miracle went unnoticed, as the only thing they cared for was that their image and not tarnishing it by admittance to error in opinion (Wednesday’s blog A Miracle Unnoticed).  Furthermore, pride hinders us from the path of God, as Ron stated in the blog on Thursday we must allow God to lead us (Friday’s blog Allowing God to Lead You). Jesus gave the parable in Luke 14, because pride won't allow you to hear God, in this case Jesus was trying to lead the men by correcting their pride.

This Friday we learn that pride disconnects us from God. When Jesus proceeded to teach the proud men telling them to care for the unfortunate and there will be a reward in Heaven one man stood up and agreed with Jesus attempting to reaffirm what Jesus said. Jesus though already established they were prideful men and so we must assume this man only reaffirmed Jesus to be observed by Jesus and recognized with the purpose in mind to exalt himself above the others. Jesus did not address the man he just told a parable. 

In the parable a man invited people to a supper. The invited people made excuses telling the man exactly what was more important that day. When are excuses made and specifically identified? I believe they are used and specifically identified when the person believes it's more important than the offering. In this parable the host of supper is symbolic to God offering his kingdom. The lawyers and Pharisees are the invited people with excuses. Their excuses in this story point to pride. Like the man reaffirming Jesus lesson, basically saying to Jesus blessed is that man that takes care of the unfortunate and that's me Jesus. Look at me. Also, the excuses are also like telling God you don't have anything I want or I have better things to do or I don't need you now or simply not today?

The parable goes on to say compel the unfortunate to come to supper because they will come they have nothing more important, they need what's offered, and they need it now. Pride disconnects us from God.  The Bible says Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. Abraham from previous chapters we learned is a filthy, filthy rich man that lived extra long accumulating generational wealth. The Bible says he left all to Isaac. So Isaac had it all yet he ran into a problem when his wife could not conceive and this man who had it all, Generational wealth earnestly begged God to heal his wife. God healed his wife. Though, you see a man of Generational wealth begged, the last thing associated with a wealthy man is the word beg. Isaac was without pride and when you’re without pride this allows you to be connected with God. The great King David did not allow his status or fame to make him to proud to seek God.

Scripture:

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Psalms 18:6

Whether we want to know God or need God we first must humble ourselves.