Luke 14:1  “…He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath…”
Assuming He was invited to eat at the rulers house.  Or perhaps the ruler opened his house up for folks, hoping Jesus would come in and do something they could catch Him on.  Says they were watching Him closely.

2  “…who had dropsy”
Old term for edema, the issue of fluid accumulation.  Can be a sign of congestive heart failure.

3  “…Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees…”
He knew they were watching and waiting for Him to do something, so He sets them up.  Forces them to look at the situation before He does it.  They have to choose a side, they can’t play both sides of the fence.

6  “…they could not answer Him regarding these things”
They wouldn’t answer aloud, but it was clear the answer to Jesus’s initial question was yes, it was lawful.  That put them on a side of the issue.  After Jesus healed the man, they couldn’t accuse Him and contradict themselves.  Jesus then nailed the coffin shut with their example of allowable Sabbath day work.  Bunch of cowards.  They knew He was right, but wouldn’t say anything.  Totally dishonest.

7  “…He told a parable to those who were invited…”
As you begin to read the parable, you wonder why Jesus told it.  What was the big deal regarding how some chose to seat themselves?  He sets up the resolution to the situation as though it was a better way of promoting one’s self.  Then you will have glory.  Doesn’t sound like something Jesus would actually promote, self glory.  The last verse, verse eleven, provides the answer.  The point is to put others first, to actually and genuinely care for others.  You do that by humbling yourself.  If you don’t care how you’re seen by others you’re free to be and do whatever needs to be done.  That is the virtue that God rewards.  You may not get moved up to the head of the table down here, but God sees and remembers.

14  “…you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just”
He’s hit on the guests, now He speaks to the host.  Same issue, humility.  Doing things for others, not for what you can get out of it.  And He confirms the reward at the end when it really matters.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.