October 13, 2025
The Feast - Part 1
Luke 14:1, 7
10/13/2025
1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of
a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him
carefully. ...
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited,
when he noticed how they chose the places of
honor... (ESV)
For several weeks the grocery stores and other outlets have
been selling Halloween candy. Some people have started to
decorate their yards for the same celebration. For Lutherans,
however, the last day of October is special for a different
reason. On that day, in 1517, Martin Luther posted a series of
questions about doctrine and practice on the door of the church
in Wittenberg. He wanted to engage in an honest debate because
he disagreed with the Pope and the Roman Church.
Over the years the divide between the Catholics and
Lutherans grew. Yet there is a doctrinal practice which both
confessional Lutherans and the Catholics enforce. Neither the
Roman Catholics nor Missouri Synod Lutherans serve the Lord's
Supper to those who are not members of their faith group. This
is true also of several other Lutheran bodies, including the
Wisconsin Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Late in Jesus' public ministry, the religious rulers paid
close attention to His words and actions. The Pharisees tried
repeatedly to discredit Jesus, but to no avail. Saint Luke
recorded, ``One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a
ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. ...
Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed
how they chose the places of honor...''
This week we will be looking at Jesus' words at this Sabbath
meal. The lesson of humility is also related to our practice of
Closed Communion,
May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, and to
willingly serve our neighbor. Amen.