Sometimes the background comments, the words used to provide the setting for the words and actions of Jesus are worth pondering. This may be the case in this passage where Luke notes, "They were watching him." (14:1b) Jesus was under surveillance.

Is it any wonder? After all, he was a disturbing presence. He upset the tidiness of legalistic religion, declaring that all are bankrupt before God and that the main concern is God’s mercy, not our dubious schemes to make ourselves acceptable to God. To those who had invested in the debit-credit style of piety, Jesus came and said that such a system could not make good on its claim. So they watched Jesus.

Also watching were those who were disturbed at Jesus’ lack of deference toward keeping the civil peace. He went around talking loosely about …