Read Luke 14 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
Luke 14:7-35 Chiastic Structure:
It turns out that Luke 14:1-6 is not left out of the structure; it is part of the greater structure from Luke 13:1-14:35:
The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven are both teaching the same lesson.
The mustard seed is the smallest seed in the garden. But when it is hidden in the ground, it grows into a great tree which provides shelter for the birds and their young. That is, it is productive of a beneficial result; it produces a good fruit.
Leaven begins as a single tiny organism (yeast), but when it is hidden in the dough, it grows until it has leavened the whole. It is productive of a beneficial result.
The kingdom of heaven begins as a small seed in each person’s life. It is hidden, not visible at first. But, it grows over time. The parable of the fig tree shows that both time and nourishment are necessary in order to produce fruit. And, given that, it produces a beneficial result, it produces good fruit. So also is the kingdom of heaven when it is sown into a family, a community, a nation, and a world. It begins as a hidden seed, but given time and nourishment, there will be a good and beneficial result in the end.
Fruit is the evidence of the kingdom. It’s the tell! Repentance, humility, self-sacrificial love, generosity, works of righteousness; all of these will be present where the kingdom is present.
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