Study Desk

As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table.

His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom.

This is what God in his wisdom said about you: ‘I will send prophets and apostles to them, but they will kill some and persecute the others.'

Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy.

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.

"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!

"Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.

And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.

Then Jesus told this story: "A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.

Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I've waited three years, and there hasn't been a single fig! Cut it down. It's just taking up space in the garden.'

This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

Then he turned to his host. "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet," he said, "don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.

When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.'

"The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'

So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.

"Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?

And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.

When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'

The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.