Luke 14: 16 - 24 Parable of the Guests' Excuses Continued 2nd Post.
This is part of Jesus' teachings started in Chapter 13 about "Repent or Perish". This parable deals with the Jews ecclesiastical status, not their political status. Jesus was more interested in their Spiritual status, than their political status. In this parable Jesus is trying to tell His listeners, how important it is to recognize God, and to answer Him when He calls. In this parable Jesus uses a man giving a great supper and the excuses his guests gave his servant for not attending his supper. In Jesus' time, this was before telephones, computers and life moved more slowly. This man would have allowed a lot of time for his proposed guests to save the date of his supper. With this in mind, the excuses his servant receives is quite interesting. Lets look at the first excuse "I have just bought a piece of land and must look at it." This man feels his responsibilities are more important, than keeping his reservation to the man and attending his supper. The second said, "I have just bought five yoke of oxen and must go and test them." The same can be said of this person as well. Who buys land, or animals, without looking them over first? The third excuse was even more out of line. This man would have to check his appointment book before setting the date of his marriage. The fact is that they cared so little for the man giving his supper, that they could not be bothered in keeping their engagement. I am running out of room for this post, continued next post.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
592nd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables about Last Being First Con't. - Parable of The Guests' Excuses Luke 14: 16 - 24 - 1st Post.
Luke 14: 16 - 24 Parable of the Guests' Excuses 1st Post.
A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, "Come, for all things are now ready." But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, "I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused." And another said, "I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused." Still another said, "I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come." So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind." And the servant said, "Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room." Then the master said to the servant, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper."
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. This is part of Jesus teaching on "Repent or Perish" starting in Chapter 13 of Luke. I am running out of space for this post, so will continue next post.
A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, "Come, for all things are now ready." But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, "I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused." And another said, "I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused." Still another said, "I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come." So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind." And the servant said, "Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room." Then the master said to the servant, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper."
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. This is part of Jesus teaching on "Repent or Perish" starting in Chapter 13 of Luke. I am running out of space for this post, so will continue next post.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
591st Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables About Last Being First Con't. - Parable of the Laborer's Wages Con't. Matthew 20: 1- 20 Con't. - 6th Post.
Parable of the Laborer's Wages Continued Matthew 20: 1 - 20, 6th post.
In the last post we were talking about the payment of the denarius; what does this transaction have to do with us. In Jesus' time the vineyard was Israel, the vineyard today has been enlarged to contain the whole world. The laborer's are us who believe and do the Lord's work. If you call yourself a "Christian", that means that you not only believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for your sins. He rose from the dead, because He was sinless, death could not hold Him. He bought our lives and paid the price owed for our sinful nature. We have to labor in His vineyard. The labor is hard work but not of the sort we do for pay when we work for a paycheck according to the world. Jesus tells us that if we love Him we are to keep His Words. We do that by putting His Words into practice. When we make a decision to follow Jesus, we are asked by Jesus Christ to obey His Words. This is done by trying to live our lives according to the model Jesus provided us through His own life. John 3:16 says all we have to do to earn eternal life is believe. This is correct, when you believe, you start to live for Jesus instead of the world. This is required of us as being believer's. The world does not recognize Jesus as Lord. When you become a believer, you start to realize how much of a hold Satan has on the world. You did not feel this strain, when you were an unbeliever. This is because you were doing Satan's bidding, already. When you start to live for Jesus, Satan will make your life harder, because he does not want to lose you. This is the truth. It is up to you if you make a change or not.
In the last post we were talking about the payment of the denarius; what does this transaction have to do with us. In Jesus' time the vineyard was Israel, the vineyard today has been enlarged to contain the whole world. The laborer's are us who believe and do the Lord's work. If you call yourself a "Christian", that means that you not only believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for your sins. He rose from the dead, because He was sinless, death could not hold Him. He bought our lives and paid the price owed for our sinful nature. We have to labor in His vineyard. The labor is hard work but not of the sort we do for pay when we work for a paycheck according to the world. Jesus tells us that if we love Him we are to keep His Words. We do that by putting His Words into practice. When we make a decision to follow Jesus, we are asked by Jesus Christ to obey His Words. This is done by trying to live our lives according to the model Jesus provided us through His own life. John 3:16 says all we have to do to earn eternal life is believe. This is correct, when you believe, you start to live for Jesus instead of the world. This is required of us as being believer's. The world does not recognize Jesus as Lord. When you become a believer, you start to realize how much of a hold Satan has on the world. You did not feel this strain, when you were an unbeliever. This is because you were doing Satan's bidding, already. When you start to live for Jesus, Satan will make your life harder, because he does not want to lose you. This is the truth. It is up to you if you make a change or not.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
590th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables About The Last Being First Con't. - Parable of the Laborer's Wages Con't. - Matthew 20: 1 - 16 Con't. - 5th Post.
Parable of the Laborer's Wages Matthew 20: 1 - 16 Continued, 5th Post.
In the last post we talked about the meaning of the eleventh hour, now we will look at the payment process. The landowner instructs his foreman to pay the workers who came to the vineyard late to be paid first. According to this parable, some of the workers got to the vineyard just ahead of the landowner. They were the first paid, and received a denarius for their trouble. Put yourself in these worker's shoes for a minuet. These workers have been idle all day and just walk to the vineyard and are paid a days wages for their trouble. What a deal! And so it went with all these laborer's as they were paid, and all receiving a denarius. These workers are also very happy, because they received a full days wage for less than a full days work. This brings us to the laborer's who were the very first to enter the vineyard, when they received their denarius, they were less than pleased. They felt they had been cheated. If you go back in the story to when they were hired, they agreed to work for that wage. So why were they upset? When they saw the other workers being paid the same amount that they were promised, they felt they should receive more, because they had worked the longest, through the heat of the day, and have done the most work. The truth is they received exactly what they had contracted out for. Unfortunately, the way they reacted is according to our human nature. We are sinful, and are greedy as part of this nature. We feel we have been wronged, even when have received exactly what we had agreed on. If you look at the world today, Jesus could have told this parable today, instead of over 2,000 years ago. I have run out of space again, will continue next post.
In the last post we talked about the meaning of the eleventh hour, now we will look at the payment process. The landowner instructs his foreman to pay the workers who came to the vineyard late to be paid first. According to this parable, some of the workers got to the vineyard just ahead of the landowner. They were the first paid, and received a denarius for their trouble. Put yourself in these worker's shoes for a minuet. These workers have been idle all day and just walk to the vineyard and are paid a days wages for their trouble. What a deal! And so it went with all these laborer's as they were paid, and all receiving a denarius. These workers are also very happy, because they received a full days wage for less than a full days work. This brings us to the laborer's who were the very first to enter the vineyard, when they received their denarius, they were less than pleased. They felt they had been cheated. If you go back in the story to when they were hired, they agreed to work for that wage. So why were they upset? When they saw the other workers being paid the same amount that they were promised, they felt they should receive more, because they had worked the longest, through the heat of the day, and have done the most work. The truth is they received exactly what they had contracted out for. Unfortunately, the way they reacted is according to our human nature. We are sinful, and are greedy as part of this nature. We feel we have been wronged, even when have received exactly what we had agreed on. If you look at the world today, Jesus could have told this parable today, instead of over 2,000 years ago. I have run out of space again, will continue next post.
Friday, November 23, 2012
589th Post Jesus Said Conerning Parables Con't. - Parables About The First Being Last Con't. - Parable on the Laborer's Wages Con't. - 4th Post - Matthew 20: 1 - 16.
Matthew 20: 1 - 16 Parable of the Laborer's Wages Continued 4th Post.
We left last post talking about the eleventh hour and what did Jesus mean when He said it. To try to understand this, we need to look at the context in which this passage was said. Remember, it was late in Jesus' earthly Ministry and it was very close to the time He was to be crucified. As we have found with earlier parables, much of the information given, was to answer or explain the topic Jesus was currently preaching on; in this case "End Times", and what was to happen. If you look at this parable in context of Jesus Ministry, He was in the evening of His Ministry, nearing the end. When Jesus died, what would that mean to "Laborer's" to His vineyard? Would the door be closed at that time, or does this give new meaning to the term "eleventh hour"? This is one meaning of the term "eleventh hour". There is another meaning to this statement in the parable. The different times that the landowner goes out and finds laborer's to work in his vineyard, symbolizes the period in their (the laborer's) life, when they decided to make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and follow Him.
We left last post talking about the eleventh hour and what did Jesus mean when He said it. To try to understand this, we need to look at the context in which this passage was said. Remember, it was late in Jesus' earthly Ministry and it was very close to the time He was to be crucified. As we have found with earlier parables, much of the information given, was to answer or explain the topic Jesus was currently preaching on; in this case "End Times", and what was to happen. If you look at this parable in context of Jesus Ministry, He was in the evening of His Ministry, nearing the end. When Jesus died, what would that mean to "Laborer's" to His vineyard? Would the door be closed at that time, or does this give new meaning to the term "eleventh hour"? This is one meaning of the term "eleventh hour". There is another meaning to this statement in the parable. The different times that the landowner goes out and finds laborer's to work in his vineyard, symbolizes the period in their (the laborer's) life, when they decided to make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and follow Him.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
588th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables About First Shall Be Last Con't. - Parable of the Laborer's Wages Con't. 3rd. Post Matthew 20: 1 - 16.
Matthew 20: 1 - 16 Parable of The Laborer's Wages Continued 3rd Post.
We left last post with the first group of laborers leaving to go into the vineyard early in the day. The parable continues with the landowner going out about the third hour, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The landowner finds more people standing idle and offers them a job of working in his vineyard and this time the landowner says whatever is right I will pay you. The laborers go to work in the vineyard. Again at the sixth and ninth hour the landowner went out and did likewise. The sixth hour is Noon to 3:00 pm; and the ninth hour, 3:00 pm to sunset. The landowner hired all who were idle and wanted to work, and they went, meaning they agreed to the terms of the arrangement. The landowner goes out at the eleventh hour and found others standing idle, and he said to them,"Why are you standing here idle all day?" They said to him "Because no one has hired us." The landowner said to them, "You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive." Not sure when the eleventh hour is, because the ninth hour is from 3:00 pm to sunset. Further on in this parable Jesus says toward evening the landowner tells his foreman to pay the workers, so the eleventh hour has to be between sunset and evening; starting with the last, to be paid first. More on the eleventh hour in my next post.
We left last post with the first group of laborers leaving to go into the vineyard early in the day. The parable continues with the landowner going out about the third hour, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The landowner finds more people standing idle and offers them a job of working in his vineyard and this time the landowner says whatever is right I will pay you. The laborers go to work in the vineyard. Again at the sixth and ninth hour the landowner went out and did likewise. The sixth hour is Noon to 3:00 pm; and the ninth hour, 3:00 pm to sunset. The landowner hired all who were idle and wanted to work, and they went, meaning they agreed to the terms of the arrangement. The landowner goes out at the eleventh hour and found others standing idle, and he said to them,"Why are you standing here idle all day?" They said to him "Because no one has hired us." The landowner said to them, "You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive." Not sure when the eleventh hour is, because the ninth hour is from 3:00 pm to sunset. Further on in this parable Jesus says toward evening the landowner tells his foreman to pay the workers, so the eleventh hour has to be between sunset and evening; starting with the last, to be paid first. More on the eleventh hour in my next post.
587th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables About First being Last Con't. - Parable of the Laborers Con't 2nd Post. - Mathew 20: 1 - 16.
Mathew 20: 1 - 16 The Parable of the Laborers Continued 2nd post.
This was spoken by Jesus very late in His earthly Ministry, just before His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday about a week before His death on the cross. Jesus is addressing the multitudes that were following Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Jesus starts this parable with the words the "Kingdom of Heaven is like..." You know from previous posts of mine if you have read them, that when Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God, He could be talking about three different places, Heaven, the world, or our heart. The context of which this phrase appears, dictates the place Jesus is talking about. In this case the Kingdom of Heaven is the world. The vineyard in which this story takes place is Israel, and the Laborers are the people who have believed and are walking with Jesus trying to do His Commands. The denarius symbolizes payment for a job well done, in this case admittance into Heaven. Now that we have explained the places, the cast of characters, and the reward, lets look at the parable. The scene opens with the landowner who represents God going to the marketplace to find laborers to work in his vineyard. The landowner goes early in the morning to find laborers to work for him. Early in the morning would be the "First Hour", time from 6:00 am until 9:00 am. Notice here that the landowner and the potential laborers came to an agreement on payment before they went into the vineyard to work, and they went. I am running out of space for this post will pick up story on next post. Stay, tuned...
This was spoken by Jesus very late in His earthly Ministry, just before His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday about a week before His death on the cross. Jesus is addressing the multitudes that were following Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Jesus starts this parable with the words the "Kingdom of Heaven is like..." You know from previous posts of mine if you have read them, that when Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God, He could be talking about three different places, Heaven, the world, or our heart. The context of which this phrase appears, dictates the place Jesus is talking about. In this case the Kingdom of Heaven is the world. The vineyard in which this story takes place is Israel, and the Laborers are the people who have believed and are walking with Jesus trying to do His Commands. The denarius symbolizes payment for a job well done, in this case admittance into Heaven. Now that we have explained the places, the cast of characters, and the reward, lets look at the parable. The scene opens with the landowner who represents God going to the marketplace to find laborers to work in his vineyard. The landowner goes early in the morning to find laborers to work for him. Early in the morning would be the "First Hour", time from 6:00 am until 9:00 am. Notice here that the landowner and the potential laborers came to an agreement on payment before they went into the vineyard to work, and they went. I am running out of space for this post will pick up story on next post. Stay, tuned...
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
586th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on The First Shall Be Last Con't. - Parable of The Laborer's Wages - 1st Post.
The Laborer's Wages Matthew 20: 1 - 16. 1st Post.
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, "You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you." So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, "Why have you been standing here idle all day?" They said to him, "Because no one hired us." He said to them, "You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive." So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, "Call the laborer's and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first." And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received a denerius. And when they received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, "These men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day." But he answered one of them and said, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?" So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.
This was spoken by Jesus late in His earthly Ministry. Comments will be made on this next post.
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, "You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you." So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, "Why have you been standing here idle all day?" They said to him, "Because no one hired us." He said to them, "You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive." So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, "Call the laborer's and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first." And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received a denerius. And when they received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, "These men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day." But he answered one of them and said, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?" So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.
This was spoken by Jesus late in His earthly Ministry. Comments will be made on this next post.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
585th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables Concerning the Last Shall Be First New Section - My Comments.
New Section of Parables dealing with the topic of the Last Shall Be First. First Post this Section.
The Parables in this section are as follows:
The Laborer's Wages
The Guests' Excuses
The Rich Man and Lazarus
We will be looking at these parables in the upcoming posts. When you look at all the above parable titles, you will notice they all deal with End Times, and Judgment. This will be the theme that ties these different stories together. They all deal with End Times and Judgment, but different phases of these two subjects. Jesus told these stories because He knew what Heaven looks like, but had to try to put this knowledge into language the people would understand. It has been over 2,000 years since Jesus spoke these words. There have been a lot written on these parables. This study, from when it first started in January 2010, has been trying to look at Jesus' Words in the context they were spoken, and then trying to apply them to our lessons today. This has been our objective, only you can tell if I was successful or not.
As you read the Gospels with us, you have undoubtedly noticed that Jesus seldom told parables one at a time, but in strings. Jesus did this because all of the different parables in the string all had the same theme. This was not by accident, but by design, sometimes the themes of the parables did not always seem like they were connected, but they are. Parables were told to provide truth and understanding, to those who seek the truth.
The Parables in this section are as follows:
The Laborer's Wages
The Guests' Excuses
The Rich Man and Lazarus
We will be looking at these parables in the upcoming posts. When you look at all the above parable titles, you will notice they all deal with End Times, and Judgment. This will be the theme that ties these different stories together. They all deal with End Times and Judgment, but different phases of these two subjects. Jesus told these stories because He knew what Heaven looks like, but had to try to put this knowledge into language the people would understand. It has been over 2,000 years since Jesus spoke these words. There have been a lot written on these parables. This study, from when it first started in January 2010, has been trying to look at Jesus' Words in the context they were spoken, and then trying to apply them to our lessons today. This has been our objective, only you can tell if I was successful or not.
As you read the Gospels with us, you have undoubtedly noticed that Jesus seldom told parables one at a time, but in strings. Jesus did this because all of the different parables in the string all had the same theme. This was not by accident, but by design, sometimes the themes of the parables did not always seem like they were connected, but they are. Parables were told to provide truth and understanding, to those who seek the truth.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
584th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. - 11th Post Luke 15: 11 - 30.
Parable of the Prodigal Son Continued, 11th Post.
The last part of this Parable, deals with the oldest son. He sometimes gets lost within this parable and is overlooked. As you remember, this son comes home after working in the fields all day and hears the sounds of celebration coming from the house. He asks a servant what is going on, it is then, that he finds out his younger brother has returned, and his father has killed the fatted calf for this celebration. The brother, instead of being glad that his younger brother is alive again, is upset because he is getting a party. The older brother stays outside, is angry and feels sorry for himself. The father has to come outside the house to try to console him and get him to join the party. The father demonstrates agape love again, but this time to the older son. Look how the son talks to his father, there is no respect there. The Father could have responded in like fashion, but Jesus is telling us this story, and He controls all of the elements of it. When the older son rebels here, he is guilty of the same sin that his younger brother committed. The only difference is he is on the other side of the spectrum. Rebellion is rebellion, no matter if you leave, or stay and live in a situation you feel is wrong. Rebellion, here is the older son's attitude. He felt that his father wronged him in giving his younger son his part of the inheritance early, the older son felt he had been robbed of some of his inheritance. He did not speak up before, but now when he sees that his brother has returned, he feels he will lose out again. This is what caused his anger. If we are honest with ourselves, we can see when we have been angry with our Heavenly Father, when He seems to have taken advantage of us or we don't wait until His plans have clearly been made known to us. It is at these times when we need to Trust in the Lord.
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The last part of this Parable, deals with the oldest son. He sometimes gets lost within this parable and is overlooked. As you remember, this son comes home after working in the fields all day and hears the sounds of celebration coming from the house. He asks a servant what is going on, it is then, that he finds out his younger brother has returned, and his father has killed the fatted calf for this celebration. The brother, instead of being glad that his younger brother is alive again, is upset because he is getting a party. The older brother stays outside, is angry and feels sorry for himself. The father has to come outside the house to try to console him and get him to join the party. The father demonstrates agape love again, but this time to the older son. Look how the son talks to his father, there is no respect there. The Father could have responded in like fashion, but Jesus is telling us this story, and He controls all of the elements of it. When the older son rebels here, he is guilty of the same sin that his younger brother committed. The only difference is he is on the other side of the spectrum. Rebellion is rebellion, no matter if you leave, or stay and live in a situation you feel is wrong. Rebellion, here is the older son's attitude. He felt that his father wronged him in giving his younger son his part of the inheritance early, the older son felt he had been robbed of some of his inheritance. He did not speak up before, but now when he sees that his brother has returned, he feels he will lose out again. This is what caused his anger. If we are honest with ourselves, we can see when we have been angry with our Heavenly Father, when He seems to have taken advantage of us or we don't wait until His plans have clearly been made known to us. It is at these times when we need to Trust in the Lord.
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Monday, October 22, 2012
583rd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. 10th Post - Luke 15: 11 - 32.
Luke 15: 11 - 32 Parable of the Prodigal Son Continued 10th Post.
We left last post talking about agape love, better known as unconditional love. We will try to contrast agape love with human love. If you are honest with your feelings, you probably feel the father has been too nice to this son upon his return. If you feel this way, it is because you love with conditions. Do not feel bad, this is a normal way for us to think. This is why Jesus told this parable, to show us that we understand love one way and God, in another. The father restored his son to the same position he held before going on his journey. This is very hard for us to understand, because it goes against our feelings of fair. God as Creator, can set the standard for His behavior, and does not need to do what we are comfortable with. This is what makes God, God! Praise the Lord for this difference, it is this difference, that proves that we need a Savior! Jesus is waiting and willing for us to come to Him and turn our lives over to Him. The Bible teaches that we all are sinners, and as sinners we will go to hell without help. Only Jesus can forgive us of our sin. This is why Jesus alone can say "I am the Resurrection and the Life, no one comes to the Father, except through Me." This may sound very narrow minded, however which other gods do you know, who died, so that you might live?? The Only One is Jesus! This is the truth!
We left last post talking about agape love, better known as unconditional love. We will try to contrast agape love with human love. If you are honest with your feelings, you probably feel the father has been too nice to this son upon his return. If you feel this way, it is because you love with conditions. Do not feel bad, this is a normal way for us to think. This is why Jesus told this parable, to show us that we understand love one way and God, in another. The father restored his son to the same position he held before going on his journey. This is very hard for us to understand, because it goes against our feelings of fair. God as Creator, can set the standard for His behavior, and does not need to do what we are comfortable with. This is what makes God, God! Praise the Lord for this difference, it is this difference, that proves that we need a Savior! Jesus is waiting and willing for us to come to Him and turn our lives over to Him. The Bible teaches that we all are sinners, and as sinners we will go to hell without help. Only Jesus can forgive us of our sin. This is why Jesus alone can say "I am the Resurrection and the Life, no one comes to the Father, except through Me." This may sound very narrow minded, however which other gods do you know, who died, so that you might live?? The Only One is Jesus! This is the truth!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
582nd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. 9th Post - Luke 15: 11 - 31, Con't.
Luke 15: 11 - 31 Continued 9th Post Parable of the Prodigal Son.
We left last post talking about the love the father showed his son. The father in this parable loves his son with agape love. What is agape love? Agape love is unconditional love, this is the way God loves us. Only God is capable of this type of love. St. Paul gives a definition of this love in 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 8a. God is infinite, we are finite. It is because God is so much greater than our ability to understand; this is why Jesus told this parable, to try to explain how much different God's love is from ours. I have been trying to show in this blog the difference between how God thinks how and we think. When the father in this story asks his servants to put a robe on his son, sandals on his feet, and a ring on his finger, the father is restoring his son to his previous position before he set out on his own. This goes against our feelings of fair play. This is why I keep reminding us that God's ways are not ours, and He holds to a higher standard than us. We as God's children must try to strive to achieve this standard of love. God created us and knows that we are not capable of this quality of love. This is our goal to try to achieve this. I will contrast human view of love and God's in next post.
We left last post talking about the love the father showed his son. The father in this parable loves his son with agape love. What is agape love? Agape love is unconditional love, this is the way God loves us. Only God is capable of this type of love. St. Paul gives a definition of this love in 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 8a. God is infinite, we are finite. It is because God is so much greater than our ability to understand; this is why Jesus told this parable, to try to explain how much different God's love is from ours. I have been trying to show in this blog the difference between how God thinks how and we think. When the father in this story asks his servants to put a robe on his son, sandals on his feet, and a ring on his finger, the father is restoring his son to his previous position before he set out on his own. This goes against our feelings of fair play. This is why I keep reminding us that God's ways are not ours, and He holds to a higher standard than us. We as God's children must try to strive to achieve this standard of love. God created us and knows that we are not capable of this quality of love. This is our goal to try to achieve this. I will contrast human view of love and God's in next post.
581st Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. 8th Post - Luke 15: 11 - 32.
Parable of the Prodigal Son Continued 8th Post. Luke 15: 11 - 32.
Last Post we were talking about the father and watching his actions as he approached his son. When the father reached his son, he fell on his son's neck and kissed him. Remember this son had been feeding pigs, and had traveled a great distance to get home. This was before the time of public showers, I don't think the Roman baths would have let him enter the way he was, and not having any money, I don't think they would have had compassion on him and let him use their facilities for free. The father falls on the son's neck and kissed him. This shows the love of his father, even in the condition his son was in, his father hangs on his neck. Hangs on his neck, is a phrase we don't use often in the west, but it means, the father hugged his son deeply, and spent some time in this position. Hugging is something we have lost in the west, we don't show outward signs of affection in public, like the people did in this story. The son confesses that "he had sinned before his father and God." The father then tells his servants to bring him a robe and put a ring on his finger, put sandals on his feet, and kill the fatted calf. By asking the servants to do this the father was showing that he was restoring this son to his rightful place he had enjoyed before he sinned. This love the father showed is agape love. I am running out of space here will post more on agape love in next post.
Last Post we were talking about the father and watching his actions as he approached his son. When the father reached his son, he fell on his son's neck and kissed him. Remember this son had been feeding pigs, and had traveled a great distance to get home. This was before the time of public showers, I don't think the Roman baths would have let him enter the way he was, and not having any money, I don't think they would have had compassion on him and let him use their facilities for free. The father falls on the son's neck and kissed him. This shows the love of his father, even in the condition his son was in, his father hangs on his neck. Hangs on his neck, is a phrase we don't use often in the west, but it means, the father hugged his son deeply, and spent some time in this position. Hugging is something we have lost in the west, we don't show outward signs of affection in public, like the people did in this story. The son confesses that "he had sinned before his father and God." The father then tells his servants to bring him a robe and put a ring on his finger, put sandals on his feet, and kill the fatted calf. By asking the servants to do this the father was showing that he was restoring this son to his rightful place he had enjoyed before he sinned. This love the father showed is agape love. I am running out of space here will post more on agape love in next post.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
580th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Produgal Son Con't. - Luke 15: 11 - 31 Con't. 7th Post.
Luke 15: 11 - 31 Continued Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. 7th post.
We left off last post with the Father seeing his son in the distance and goes running out to greet him. Lets put this scene into the context of the time of Jesus during His earthly Ministry. If a Jewish Father gave his son his inheritance before he was dead, in his father's eyes, that son was dead! The father would not scan the horizon looking for his son. Then when he sees his son a long way off, goes off to meet him. Remember in the times of Jesus, mature men wore long robes. It would be hard for us to understand what the father had to do before he could run. The father would have gathered his robe up and tucked it into his belt, so as not to trip on it as he ran. Think of this scene, this older man is running through the land, and the people would be watching this scene as it was not a common occurrence. Even here, the father would be sheltering his son from the on lookers. The father is still trying to protect his son. If an earthly father would go to these lengths to save his son, how much further would your Heavenly Father go, to save you?? This is the point Jesus was making here. Our Heavenly Father loved us so much, that He offered His Son as payment for all who believe in Jesus Christ. That is the ultimate of grace and mercy! Now the father not only forgave his son, but he restored him as well! I am running out of space here so will continue next post.
We left off last post with the Father seeing his son in the distance and goes running out to greet him. Lets put this scene into the context of the time of Jesus during His earthly Ministry. If a Jewish Father gave his son his inheritance before he was dead, in his father's eyes, that son was dead! The father would not scan the horizon looking for his son. Then when he sees his son a long way off, goes off to meet him. Remember in the times of Jesus, mature men wore long robes. It would be hard for us to understand what the father had to do before he could run. The father would have gathered his robe up and tucked it into his belt, so as not to trip on it as he ran. Think of this scene, this older man is running through the land, and the people would be watching this scene as it was not a common occurrence. Even here, the father would be sheltering his son from the on lookers. The father is still trying to protect his son. If an earthly father would go to these lengths to save his son, how much further would your Heavenly Father go, to save you?? This is the point Jesus was making here. Our Heavenly Father loved us so much, that He offered His Son as payment for all who believe in Jesus Christ. That is the ultimate of grace and mercy! Now the father not only forgave his son, but he restored him as well! I am running out of space here so will continue next post.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
579th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. 6th Post - Luke 15: 11 - 32 Con't.
Luke 15: 11 - 32 Parable of the Prodigal Son Continued - 6th Post.
We will be looking at this parable and the character of the father in the parable. The father in this parable did not act like a normal father in Israel at the time of Jesus. Israel was a patriarchal society, where the father is the head of the family. Now consider all the fathers you know, and if you are one, would you act like this father? Your youngest son comes up to you and asks for his inheritance early, would you give it to him?? Probably not! You would think that if you gave him his money, he would spend it on wild living, until he was broke. If you were foolish enough to give this son what he asked for, you certainly would not let him come home. In this parable, we father's, would be wrong on both counts. The father not only gives the younger son what he wants, but takes him back after he had lost all the money. Unbelievable! This is exactly why Jesus told this parable! Our Heavenly Father lets us have free choice. Sometimes, if we choose the wrong thing, it can get us into deep trouble. This is what happened here. The young man was on the right path, but chose not to follow his father's teaching and struck out on his own. His Heavenly Father knew the young man had made a wrong choice, but let him go anyway. When we find ourselves separated from God, we have only ourselves to blame for God being distant from us. God did not move, we did! Sometimes when we find ourselves here, we want to blame God for letting us go so far wrong. You ended up in this situation, because you were leaning on your own understanding and not God's. I will be continuing next post.
We will be looking at this parable and the character of the father in the parable. The father in this parable did not act like a normal father in Israel at the time of Jesus. Israel was a patriarchal society, where the father is the head of the family. Now consider all the fathers you know, and if you are one, would you act like this father? Your youngest son comes up to you and asks for his inheritance early, would you give it to him?? Probably not! You would think that if you gave him his money, he would spend it on wild living, until he was broke. If you were foolish enough to give this son what he asked for, you certainly would not let him come home. In this parable, we father's, would be wrong on both counts. The father not only gives the younger son what he wants, but takes him back after he had lost all the money. Unbelievable! This is exactly why Jesus told this parable! Our Heavenly Father lets us have free choice. Sometimes, if we choose the wrong thing, it can get us into deep trouble. This is what happened here. The young man was on the right path, but chose not to follow his father's teaching and struck out on his own. His Heavenly Father knew the young man had made a wrong choice, but let him go anyway. When we find ourselves separated from God, we have only ourselves to blame for God being distant from us. God did not move, we did! Sometimes when we find ourselves here, we want to blame God for letting us go so far wrong. You ended up in this situation, because you were leaning on your own understanding and not God's. I will be continuing next post.
578th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. 5th Post - Luke 15: 11 - 32.
Luke 15: 11 - 32 Parable of the Prodigal Son Continued - 5th Post.
We left last post with the son coming to himself and deciding that a servant in his father's house was a step above where he is now. What did Jesus mean by coming to himself? The young man did not think he was hurting anyone, when he was spending his inheritance on high living. The problem is you have to be rich, to live like the rich. This means you have a continual source of income. If you are acting, it is only a matter of time before you are found out. In the young man's case, he ran out of money. The young man came to himself, when he came to the realization that he was better off living at his father's house, than where he is now. The point Jesus was making was the young man understood, that the way he is going now was leading nowhere, and the only way was to go back to his father. When we as sinners come to ourselves, we know that the road we are on leads nowhere, and the only road that leads to salvation is through Jesus Christ. We all have to come to ourselves, that without Jesus we are headed for hell. Jesus is the only way to eternal life. We will be looking at the role off the father in this parable in the next post.
We left last post with the son coming to himself and deciding that a servant in his father's house was a step above where he is now. What did Jesus mean by coming to himself? The young man did not think he was hurting anyone, when he was spending his inheritance on high living. The problem is you have to be rich, to live like the rich. This means you have a continual source of income. If you are acting, it is only a matter of time before you are found out. In the young man's case, he ran out of money. The young man came to himself, when he came to the realization that he was better off living at his father's house, than where he is now. The point Jesus was making was the young man understood, that the way he is going now was leading nowhere, and the only way was to go back to his father. When we as sinners come to ourselves, we know that the road we are on leads nowhere, and the only road that leads to salvation is through Jesus Christ. We all have to come to ourselves, that without Jesus we are headed for hell. Jesus is the only way to eternal life. We will be looking at the role off the father in this parable in the next post.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
577th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. - 4th Post Luke 15: 11 - 32 Con't.
Luke 15: 11 - 32 Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. 4th Post.
Last post we were talking about the younger son living in a strange land. This son spent all of his inheritance just before the famine came in the land. When the young son had money, he did not worry about anything. Then when the famine came and what he thought were friends deserted him, when they found out he was broke. It is when you are down that you will find out who are your true friends. After looking for work, the young man takes a job from the compassion of a friend who was a citizen of this country. The only job he could get was feeding the pigs. To a Jew, pigs are considered unclean. He not only had to feed them, no one would feed him; so as his hunger increased, the food he was feeding the pigs started to look good to him. This young man had sunk pretty low since his arrival. The young man had an inheritance, he lost it. It is when he was feeding the pigs, that he realized that when he was living at home his father treated his servants, better than he was being treated here. The son knew that when he asked for his inheritance early, he could never go back as being his father's son. That is why he will ask that his father take him back as a servant in his house. It is interesting that Jesus used this example of inheritance. When you decide to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your inheritance starts in His Heavenly Kingdom.
Last post we were talking about the younger son living in a strange land. This son spent all of his inheritance just before the famine came in the land. When the young son had money, he did not worry about anything. Then when the famine came and what he thought were friends deserted him, when they found out he was broke. It is when you are down that you will find out who are your true friends. After looking for work, the young man takes a job from the compassion of a friend who was a citizen of this country. The only job he could get was feeding the pigs. To a Jew, pigs are considered unclean. He not only had to feed them, no one would feed him; so as his hunger increased, the food he was feeding the pigs started to look good to him. This young man had sunk pretty low since his arrival. The young man had an inheritance, he lost it. It is when he was feeding the pigs, that he realized that when he was living at home his father treated his servants, better than he was being treated here. The son knew that when he asked for his inheritance early, he could never go back as being his father's son. That is why he will ask that his father take him back as a servant in his house. It is interesting that Jesus used this example of inheritance. When you decide to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your inheritance starts in His Heavenly Kingdom.
576th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. - Luke 15: 11 - 32 Con't. 3rd. Post.
Luke 15: 11 - 32 Parable of the Prodigal Son Continued 3rd. Post.
Definition of Prodigal: One that expends money extravagantly or without necessity; one that is profuse or lavish; a waster; a spendthrift. Source American Dictionary of the English Language, by Noah Webster 1828.
We will be looking at the cast of characters in this parable as we meet them in the story. This parable starts out with the father of two sons, we will start with him. Jesus used parables to make a point, and to use situations that normally would never take place, to show the difference between our Heavenly Father, and our earthly fathers. In the ancient world, fathers would pass their inheritance down at the time of the father's death through their oldest son, and upon the death of the eldest son, if the younger son was still alive and any of the father's inheritance was left; it would pass to the younger son. The father would never divide his inheritance between his two sons while the father was still in good health. The father in this story is acting according to the Law of God and not the law of man. This father gives his youngest son his share of the inheritance before it was due. We will look at the younger son now, because he appears in the story next. Now the younger son takes his money and moves to a far country, and spends all the money on high living. Jesus did not say anything about a job here, so we can believe he used his inheritance to fund his new lifestyle. Now about the time a famine hits this country, the son is running out of money. Continued next post.
Definition of Prodigal: One that expends money extravagantly or without necessity; one that is profuse or lavish; a waster; a spendthrift. Source American Dictionary of the English Language, by Noah Webster 1828.
We will be looking at the cast of characters in this parable as we meet them in the story. This parable starts out with the father of two sons, we will start with him. Jesus used parables to make a point, and to use situations that normally would never take place, to show the difference between our Heavenly Father, and our earthly fathers. In the ancient world, fathers would pass their inheritance down at the time of the father's death through their oldest son, and upon the death of the eldest son, if the younger son was still alive and any of the father's inheritance was left; it would pass to the younger son. The father would never divide his inheritance between his two sons while the father was still in good health. The father in this story is acting according to the Law of God and not the law of man. This father gives his youngest son his share of the inheritance before it was due. We will look at the younger son now, because he appears in the story next. Now the younger son takes his money and moves to a far country, and spends all the money on high living. Jesus did not say anything about a job here, so we can believe he used his inheritance to fund his new lifestyle. Now about the time a famine hits this country, the son is running out of money. Continued next post.
575th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Prodigal Son Con't. 2nd Post Luke 15: 11 - 32 Con't.
Luke 15: 11 - 32 Parable of the Prodigal Son Continued 2nd Post.
The other posts in this section were spoken by Jesus 1 - 1.1/2 years into Jesus' earthly ministry. You noticed by the length of the previous post, Jesus has packed a lot of detail into this parable. It will take several posts to explain this parable. Jesus waited until His ministry was almost finished before telling this parable. This parable has end times connotations. This is why I believe Jesus waited until the end of His ministry to tell this parable. If you look at your Bible, Luke Chapter 15, is part of a string of parables Jesus taught on the similar subject, "Repent or Perish". All of these parables should be looked at together, because they are linked to each other. It was not done here, but my book will fix this problem. Parables were taught in the past by themselves without looking at the setting in which Jesus told them. This I believe, is why many of the parables were misunderstood. Jesus talks about End Times in His parables and these teachings were not paid attention to. Many of those parables dealt with the master going on a long journey before judgment was rendered. If the early church looked into these correctly, they would not have been looking for a immediate return of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us to watch for the signs, plural, not just look at a few and build a story around that. If this was done, I believe a lot of the false teaching in the Church, would have died out long ago. Due to the length of this parable, I will talk and post on section by section.
The other posts in this section were spoken by Jesus 1 - 1.1/2 years into Jesus' earthly ministry. You noticed by the length of the previous post, Jesus has packed a lot of detail into this parable. It will take several posts to explain this parable. Jesus waited until His ministry was almost finished before telling this parable. This parable has end times connotations. This is why I believe Jesus waited until the end of His ministry to tell this parable. If you look at your Bible, Luke Chapter 15, is part of a string of parables Jesus taught on the similar subject, "Repent or Perish". All of these parables should be looked at together, because they are linked to each other. It was not done here, but my book will fix this problem. Parables were taught in the past by themselves without looking at the setting in which Jesus told them. This I believe, is why many of the parables were misunderstood. Jesus talks about End Times in His parables and these teachings were not paid attention to. Many of those parables dealt with the master going on a long journey before judgment was rendered. If the early church looked into these correctly, they would not have been looking for a immediate return of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us to watch for the signs, plural, not just look at a few and build a story around that. If this was done, I believe a lot of the false teaching in the Church, would have died out long ago. Due to the length of this parable, I will talk and post on section by section.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
574th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. Parable of the Prodigal Son 1st Post Luke 15: 11 - 32.
Luke 15: 11 - 32 Parable of the Prodigal Son 1st Post.
A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the portion of goods that fall to me." So he divided to them his livelihood. And now many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his field to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.'" And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said too him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son." but the father said to his servants, "Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead, for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." And they began to make merry. Now his older brother was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called to one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, "Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf." But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said said to his father, "Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you kill the fatted calf for him." And he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It is right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of ministry before He was to be crucified. Continued next post.
A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the portion of goods that fall to me." So he divided to them his livelihood. And now many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his field to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.'" And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said too him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son." but the father said to his servants, "Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead, for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." And they began to make merry. Now his older brother was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called to one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, "Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf." But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said said to his father, "Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you kill the fatted calf for him." And he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It is right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of ministry before He was to be crucified. Continued next post.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
573rd Post Jeus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of Forgiven Much and Forgiven Little Con't. 4th Post - Luke 7: 41 - 47.
Luke 7: 41 - 47 Parable of Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little Continued 4th Post.
Why did Jesus tell this parable? Jesus was at Simon's house and this woman had followed Jesus into Simon's house. Simon was becoming upset at the attention this woman was giving Jesus in his house by an uninvited guest. What this woman was doing would be considered a form of worship. Worship was reserved for God only. Jesus always accepted worship because He is God! You will find when you read in the Bible when other people or even angels are given worship, they stop it right away. We do not know the condition of Simon's heart in this text. He believed Jesus to be a good teacher and a man of God, but maybe not God. This might have been what was upsetting him. You have to remember that Simon was a Pharisee, and as such he was a teacher of the Law, and considered an authority on the things of God. For him to realize that Jesus, was a man of God also, shows that Simon had some understanding about who Jesus is, and it was this that caused him to follow Jesus. It is interesting what Jesus says at the end of this passage in Luke chapter 7. "But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Jesus was saying that our ability to love, is directly tied to how much we forgive. When you come to realize that without Jesus Christ, you are on a one way road directly to hell, with no way to turn it around. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your road makes a 180 degree turn and you are now heading for Heaven. How precious is that Forgiveness? Only you can answer that question. Are you Forgiven??
Why did Jesus tell this parable? Jesus was at Simon's house and this woman had followed Jesus into Simon's house. Simon was becoming upset at the attention this woman was giving Jesus in his house by an uninvited guest. What this woman was doing would be considered a form of worship. Worship was reserved for God only. Jesus always accepted worship because He is God! You will find when you read in the Bible when other people or even angels are given worship, they stop it right away. We do not know the condition of Simon's heart in this text. He believed Jesus to be a good teacher and a man of God, but maybe not God. This might have been what was upsetting him. You have to remember that Simon was a Pharisee, and as such he was a teacher of the Law, and considered an authority on the things of God. For him to realize that Jesus, was a man of God also, shows that Simon had some understanding about who Jesus is, and it was this that caused him to follow Jesus. It is interesting what Jesus says at the end of this passage in Luke chapter 7. "But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Jesus was saying that our ability to love, is directly tied to how much we forgive. When you come to realize that without Jesus Christ, you are on a one way road directly to hell, with no way to turn it around. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your road makes a 180 degree turn and you are now heading for Heaven. How precious is that Forgiveness? Only you can answer that question. Are you Forgiven??
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
572nd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables Concerning Forgiveness Con't. - Parable Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little - Luke 7: 41 - 47 Con't. - 3rd Post.
Luke 7: 41 - 47 Continued Parable Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little 3rd Post.
The similarities between this parable and what Mary (Lazarus' Sister) did continues. In this parable the woman anointed Jesus feet with perfume from an alabaster flask (Luke 7:37); Mary anointed Jesus' head before He was to be crucified, a different time. Since the account says the ointment or perfume comes in an alabaster flask or container means that it was expensive. The woman would use such a gift, if she clearly understands the debt Jesus relieved her of. She washes Jesus' feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. This woman recognizing her sin and position would not dare to touch Jesus' hair on his head. Using her hair as a towel; women of the Middle East consider their hair to be their glory. This woman uses her hair to show Jesus just how much she appreciates what Jesus has done for her. Clearly, she knows that she has been forgiven much. Now back to Simon, it was custom in the Middle East at this time to provide a basin, water and a towel to wash and dry their guests feet before entering their houses. Simon would have known about this custom. Why this was not done, is not important. Jesus used this to show the differences between forgiven much and forgiven little. Pharisees believe that since they teach the Law, they are above the Law, and did not sin. The fact that all men die, proves that we are all sinners. No one escapes death. This proves that we need a Savior to gain eternal life. Are you saved??
The similarities between this parable and what Mary (Lazarus' Sister) did continues. In this parable the woman anointed Jesus feet with perfume from an alabaster flask (Luke 7:37); Mary anointed Jesus' head before He was to be crucified, a different time. Since the account says the ointment or perfume comes in an alabaster flask or container means that it was expensive. The woman would use such a gift, if she clearly understands the debt Jesus relieved her of. She washes Jesus' feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. This woman recognizing her sin and position would not dare to touch Jesus' hair on his head. Using her hair as a towel; women of the Middle East consider their hair to be their glory. This woman uses her hair to show Jesus just how much she appreciates what Jesus has done for her. Clearly, she knows that she has been forgiven much. Now back to Simon, it was custom in the Middle East at this time to provide a basin, water and a towel to wash and dry their guests feet before entering their houses. Simon would have known about this custom. Why this was not done, is not important. Jesus used this to show the differences between forgiven much and forgiven little. Pharisees believe that since they teach the Law, they are above the Law, and did not sin. The fact that all men die, proves that we are all sinners. No one escapes death. This proves that we need a Savior to gain eternal life. Are you saved??
571st Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't.- Parable of Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little Con't. Luke 7: 41 - 47. - 2nd Post.
Luke 7: 41- 47 Parable of Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little Continued 2nd Post.
Jesus used an example of money to explain the different amounts of sins that were forgiven. It is interesting that Simon would welcome Jesus into his home; Jesus, in the Pharisees' eyes was a sinner and working with the prince of demons (Matthew 9:34). Clearly, Simon does not hold with the rest of the Pharisees on this point; otherwise Simon would not have invited Jesus to his house and fed Him. Simon would be the one forgiven little in this parable. Now the woman in this parable and story, is not Mary, Lazarus's sister. You can understand this because this story takes place in Capernaum, in Northern Part of Israel by the Sea of Galilee, not in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem in the South part of Israel. The stories are similar but not the same place or people involved; and the time is different as well. This is one of the reasons that I try to tell you when in Jesus' Ministry this takes place. The woman in this parable was a person of the street. Jesus did not go into more detail than to say her sins are great. This woman knows she is a sinner, and with out help, she is on a one way road to hell. She found that help in Jesus, He has the power to forgive sins. That is why He is our Savior. I have run out of space again and will continue next post.
Jesus used an example of money to explain the different amounts of sins that were forgiven. It is interesting that Simon would welcome Jesus into his home; Jesus, in the Pharisees' eyes was a sinner and working with the prince of demons (Matthew 9:34). Clearly, Simon does not hold with the rest of the Pharisees on this point; otherwise Simon would not have invited Jesus to his house and fed Him. Simon would be the one forgiven little in this parable. Now the woman in this parable and story, is not Mary, Lazarus's sister. You can understand this because this story takes place in Capernaum, in Northern Part of Israel by the Sea of Galilee, not in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem in the South part of Israel. The stories are similar but not the same place or people involved; and the time is different as well. This is one of the reasons that I try to tell you when in Jesus' Ministry this takes place. The woman in this parable was a person of the street. Jesus did not go into more detail than to say her sins are great. This woman knows she is a sinner, and with out help, she is on a one way road to hell. She found that help in Jesus, He has the power to forgive sins. That is why He is our Savior. I have run out of space again and will continue next post.
570th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little - Luke 7: 41 - 47 - 1st Post.
Luke 7: 41 - 47 Parable of Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little, 1st post.
There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? [Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."] You have rightly judged. [And turning to the woman, He said to Simon,] Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet since the time that I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins , which were many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
This was spoken by Jesus soon after His Sermon on the Mount. This would be about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. This parable was told at Simon the Pharisee's house in Capernaum. I have run out of space so will continue next post.
There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? [Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."] You have rightly judged. [And turning to the woman, He said to Simon,] Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet since the time that I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins , which were many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
This was spoken by Jesus soon after His Sermon on the Mount. This would be about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. This parable was told at Simon the Pharisee's house in Capernaum. I have run out of space so will continue next post.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
569th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Unjust Servant Con't. - 4th Post Matthew 18: 23 - 35 Con't.
Matthew 18: 23 - 35 Continued Parable of the Unjust Servant, 4th post.
We left last post asking why, Jesus did not give this servant another chance, when in other places in His teaching He says we are to forgive over and over. The point of Chapter 18 of Matthew is forgiveness is the goal, but sometimes, people can not change, if they will continue to live contrary to God's Law, then they must be let go, to keep from spoiling the rest of the group. This is the point of Matthew 18: 15 - 20 (Excommunication from the group.) This is a very serious charge, and should not be taken lightly. What does Excommunication mean?? It means that you are throwing someone out of your fellowship and leaving them for Satan to have. Whenever a Church group enters into this part of Matthew Chapter 18, excommunication is on the table. This is very serious, and the charge should match the solution. Hurt feelings is not a charge serious enough to use this solution. This servant was guilty of not forgiving his neighbor his debts (trespasses). This was taught us by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount Mathew Chapter 5 - 7. Jesus teaches us that the Father in Heaven will not forgive us, unless we first forgive our neighbor his debts (trespasses). You should remind yourself of this every time you say the Lord's Prayer! If you are a follower of Christ you should have a forgiving heart, up to a point. Learn the difference!
We left last post asking why, Jesus did not give this servant another chance, when in other places in His teaching He says we are to forgive over and over. The point of Chapter 18 of Matthew is forgiveness is the goal, but sometimes, people can not change, if they will continue to live contrary to God's Law, then they must be let go, to keep from spoiling the rest of the group. This is the point of Matthew 18: 15 - 20 (Excommunication from the group.) This is a very serious charge, and should not be taken lightly. What does Excommunication mean?? It means that you are throwing someone out of your fellowship and leaving them for Satan to have. Whenever a Church group enters into this part of Matthew Chapter 18, excommunication is on the table. This is very serious, and the charge should match the solution. Hurt feelings is not a charge serious enough to use this solution. This servant was guilty of not forgiving his neighbor his debts (trespasses). This was taught us by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount Mathew Chapter 5 - 7. Jesus teaches us that the Father in Heaven will not forgive us, unless we first forgive our neighbor his debts (trespasses). You should remind yourself of this every time you say the Lord's Prayer! If you are a follower of Christ you should have a forgiving heart, up to a point. Learn the difference!
568th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - Parable of the Unjust Servant 3rd Post - Matthew 18: 23 - 35
Matthew 18: 23 - 35 Continued 3rd post. Parable of the Unjust Servant Continued.
We left off last post with the servant who had his large debt forgiven, finding a fellow servant who owed him a considerably less debt, but demanded payment, and the servant could not pay threw him in prison until such time he could pay his debt. What just happened, speaks a lot about the character of the first servant. Most people when we have been forgiven a large debt by their master, would in turn forgive the other servant his debt to us; most of us would think this way. This is why the other servants who have watched this drama unfold, ran and told the master all that was done. The master in this story acts exactly how we would expect the master to act in this situation. We believe the master dealt justly with the unjust servant. You would be right. Now why would Jesus tell this parable in Chapter 18, along with the disciples bickering among themselves about "Who is the greatest!", and Jesus teaching about restoring a fallen member. This unjust servant was not restored but thrown out. Why?? The master threw him out, because he had already tried to restore him, when he forgave him his debt. Jesus tells us that we are to forgive over and over right??
Why would Jesus tell this story?? I am running out of space for this post so will continue this next post.
We left off last post with the servant who had his large debt forgiven, finding a fellow servant who owed him a considerably less debt, but demanded payment, and the servant could not pay threw him in prison until such time he could pay his debt. What just happened, speaks a lot about the character of the first servant. Most people when we have been forgiven a large debt by their master, would in turn forgive the other servant his debt to us; most of us would think this way. This is why the other servants who have watched this drama unfold, ran and told the master all that was done. The master in this story acts exactly how we would expect the master to act in this situation. We believe the master dealt justly with the unjust servant. You would be right. Now why would Jesus tell this parable in Chapter 18, along with the disciples bickering among themselves about "Who is the greatest!", and Jesus teaching about restoring a fallen member. This unjust servant was not restored but thrown out. Why?? The master threw him out, because he had already tried to restore him, when he forgave him his debt. Jesus tells us that we are to forgive over and over right??
Why would Jesus tell this story?? I am running out of space for this post so will continue this next post.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
567th Post Jesus Said Conerning Parables Con't. - Parables about Forgiveness Con't. - The Unjust Servant Parable 2nd Post - Matthew 18: 23 - 35.
Matthew 18: 23 - 35 Continued 2nd Post The Parable of the Unjust Servant.
This was spoken by Jesus toward the end of His earthly Ministry. Jesus was on His way from the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem for His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). Chapter 18 of Matthew opens with the disciples arguing amongst themselves "Who will be the greatest!" They come to Jesus and ask Him to tell them which one. Jesus grabs a child and puts him in their midst and then proceeds to tell them that they have to become more like this child to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew chapter 18, also gives information about reconciling your lost brother. Then the chapter ends with this parable of the Unjust Servant; these topics do not seem to go together. Forgiveness is the central theme running through this chapter. In the parable listed above, the Master calls all of his servants to settle accounts. One of his servants owes him a debt of ten thousand talents. The master demands that the servant pay all he owes now. The servant could not pay, so the master commanded the servant, his wife and children be sold along with all his goods to settle the debt. The servant falls down before him and said "Have patience with me and I will pay you all." The master had compassion on this servant and forgave him his debt. The servant had no sooner left the master's presence when he finds a fellow servant that owes him a hundred denarii. The servant demands payment, when the servant can not pay, he threw this servant into prison till he could pay the debt.
This was spoken by Jesus toward the end of His earthly Ministry. Jesus was on His way from the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem for His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). Chapter 18 of Matthew opens with the disciples arguing amongst themselves "Who will be the greatest!" They come to Jesus and ask Him to tell them which one. Jesus grabs a child and puts him in their midst and then proceeds to tell them that they have to become more like this child to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew chapter 18, also gives information about reconciling your lost brother. Then the chapter ends with this parable of the Unjust Servant; these topics do not seem to go together. Forgiveness is the central theme running through this chapter. In the parable listed above, the Master calls all of his servants to settle accounts. One of his servants owes him a debt of ten thousand talents. The master demands that the servant pay all he owes now. The servant could not pay, so the master commanded the servant, his wife and children be sold along with all his goods to settle the debt. The servant falls down before him and said "Have patience with me and I will pay you all." The master had compassion on this servant and forgave him his debt. The servant had no sooner left the master's presence when he finds a fellow servant that owes him a hundred denarii. The servant demands payment, when the servant can not pay, he threw this servant into prison till he could pay the debt.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
566th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables on Forgiveness Con't. - The Unjust Servant - 1st Post Matthew 18: 23 - 35.
Parable of the Unjust Servant - Matthew 18: 23 - 36- 1st Post.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him his debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. Continued next post.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him his debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. Continued next post.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
565th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - New Section Forgiveness - My Comments.
New Section Parables on Forgiveness.
Forgiveness is at the center of why many of us became Christians in the first place. When I think of forgiveness, the second verse of Amazing Grace comes to mind. "Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved, How precious did the Grace appear, The hour I first believed." When we come to understand that our sinful nature is enough to send us directly to hell, we understand we need help. This is what makes us come to the Throne of God, because God the Father gave us His Son to die on our behalf. This is the first part of second verse of Amazing Grace. The second part takes a while for some of us to understand. How can Grace teach your heart to fear, and then relieve your fear as well. When you understand that God forgives us, more than once, He is willing and able to forgive us whenever we ask for forgiveness. To understand this, we need to know that this forgiveness is not a license to sin like crazy. When you decide to be a part of the Kingdom of God, you start taking off the attributes of this world, and put on the attributes of God. It is process, that shows people that you are different. The parables we will be looking at in this section are as follows:
The Unjust Servant
Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little
The Prodigal Son
Forgiveness is at the center of why many of us became Christians in the first place. When I think of forgiveness, the second verse of Amazing Grace comes to mind. "Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved, How precious did the Grace appear, The hour I first believed." When we come to understand that our sinful nature is enough to send us directly to hell, we understand we need help. This is what makes us come to the Throne of God, because God the Father gave us His Son to die on our behalf. This is the first part of second verse of Amazing Grace. The second part takes a while for some of us to understand. How can Grace teach your heart to fear, and then relieve your fear as well. When you understand that God forgives us, more than once, He is willing and able to forgive us whenever we ask for forgiveness. To understand this, we need to know that this forgiveness is not a license to sin like crazy. When you decide to be a part of the Kingdom of God, you start taking off the attributes of this world, and put on the attributes of God. It is process, that shows people that you are different. The parables we will be looking at in this section are as follows:
The Unjust Servant
Forgiven Much, Forgiven Little
The Prodigal Son
564th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables Growing the Kingdom Con't. - Mark 4: 26 - 29 2nd Post.
Natural Growth Parable Mark 4: 26 - 29 Continued 2nd Post.
The parable continues to say that the seed grows and matures without the man's help. There are other forces at work here. God causes the rain to come to water the seed, and the sun to give it additional nutrients. So why would Jesus tell this parable, along with the "Sower","The Mustard Seed" and "Leaven". All these parables give you a view of what the kingdom of God is like. Not all of the parables Jesus told, talks about what we have to do gain it. In the Parable of Natural Growth, the seed seems to grow without very much intervention from us. So how do all these parables help us to understand the kingdom of God. In the parable of the "Sower", we learned that the condition of the soil was very important for growth. The soil is the condition of our heart. If our hearts are prepared to receive the seed (Word of God), the seed will grow and prosper. The Parable of the "Mustard Seed and the Leaven", we found that both good and evil would be part of the kingdom of God on earth. This is brought out in the Parable of "Natural Growth". Jesus was trying to show that somethings are involved that are beyond our ability to control.
The parable continues to say that the seed grows and matures without the man's help. There are other forces at work here. God causes the rain to come to water the seed, and the sun to give it additional nutrients. So why would Jesus tell this parable, along with the "Sower","The Mustard Seed" and "Leaven". All these parables give you a view of what the kingdom of God is like. Not all of the parables Jesus told, talks about what we have to do gain it. In the Parable of Natural Growth, the seed seems to grow without very much intervention from us. So how do all these parables help us to understand the kingdom of God. In the parable of the "Sower", we learned that the condition of the soil was very important for growth. The soil is the condition of our heart. If our hearts are prepared to receive the seed (Word of God), the seed will grow and prosper. The Parable of the "Mustard Seed and the Leaven", we found that both good and evil would be part of the kingdom of God on earth. This is brought out in the Parable of "Natural Growth". Jesus was trying to show that somethings are involved that are beyond our ability to control.
563rd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables About Growth in the Kingdom Con't. - Parable of Natural Growth - 1st Post - Mark 4: 26 - 29.
Mark 4: 26 - 29 Parable of Natural Growth 1st Post.
The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1- 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. All of these parables that start with the kingdom of God is..., were told by Jesus to try to give us a picture of the Kingdom of God. The book I am writing, will list all of these parables together. They were told by Jesus together, because each parable builds on the previous parable to better explain whatever Jesus was trying to explain, in this case it is the kingdom of God. All of these parables dealing with the kingdom of God, need to be looked at, together in order to understand what Jesus was trying to say. If you look at the parable written above, Jesus likens the kingdom of God, to a man who scatters seed on the ground. The seed grows, the man does not know how, he just knows that if he plants the seed it will grow. The man goes to sleep at night, and the seed grows on its own. I have run out of room for this post, we will continue next post.
The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1- 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. All of these parables that start with the kingdom of God is..., were told by Jesus to try to give us a picture of the Kingdom of God. The book I am writing, will list all of these parables together. They were told by Jesus together, because each parable builds on the previous parable to better explain whatever Jesus was trying to explain, in this case it is the kingdom of God. All of these parables dealing with the kingdom of God, need to be looked at, together in order to understand what Jesus was trying to say. If you look at the parable written above, Jesus likens the kingdom of God, to a man who scatters seed on the ground. The seed grows, the man does not know how, he just knows that if he plants the seed it will grow. The man goes to sleep at night, and the seed grows on its own. I have run out of room for this post, we will continue next post.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
562nd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parbles About Growing the Kingdom Con't. - Parable of the Leaven 1st Post - Matthew 13: 33.
Parable of the Leaven Matthew 13: 33; Luke 13: 20 - 21. 1st Post.
The Kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.
This was spoken by Jesus 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. This parable goes along with the rest of the parables in this chapter. Where growth takes place in a world of good and evil, and the kingdom of heaven here reflects this. This parable has a little twist to it though. Most places in the Bible, where leaven appears it is only negative. Even when Jesus is battling with the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus calls them leaven. In this parable, Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven. What Jesus is saying, that in a world that is already bad (full of leaven) The Kingdom of Heaven, represents good leaven. Like regular leaven, it takes only a small amount to change the whole lump. Jesus calls on us as believer's to be salt and light, and now leaven. When we let our light, salt and leaven, show it does not take many of us to make a difference. If you think about this, light, salt and leaven produce action. You think light does not make a difference? Try lighting one match in a pitch dark room, you will be surprised how much light one match gives off. The same thing with salt, it does not take much salt to flavor meat, or food. Not much leaven is needed to affect the lump. The Kingdom of Heaven on earth will contain both good and bad, but the Kingdom of Heaven in Heaven will contain only true believer's. Are you real?? Or are you just hanging out?? Only you and God Know!
The Kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.
This was spoken by Jesus 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. This parable goes along with the rest of the parables in this chapter. Where growth takes place in a world of good and evil, and the kingdom of heaven here reflects this. This parable has a little twist to it though. Most places in the Bible, where leaven appears it is only negative. Even when Jesus is battling with the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus calls them leaven. In this parable, Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven. What Jesus is saying, that in a world that is already bad (full of leaven) The Kingdom of Heaven, represents good leaven. Like regular leaven, it takes only a small amount to change the whole lump. Jesus calls on us as believer's to be salt and light, and now leaven. When we let our light, salt and leaven, show it does not take many of us to make a difference. If you think about this, light, salt and leaven produce action. You think light does not make a difference? Try lighting one match in a pitch dark room, you will be surprised how much light one match gives off. The same thing with salt, it does not take much salt to flavor meat, or food. Not much leaven is needed to affect the lump. The Kingdom of Heaven on earth will contain both good and bad, but the Kingdom of Heaven in Heaven will contain only true believer's. Are you real?? Or are you just hanging out?? Only you and God Know!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
561st Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parbles Growing the Kingdon Con't. - Parble of the Mustard Seed Con't. 3rd Post - Matthew 13: 31 - 32.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Continued 3rd post - Matthew 13: 31 - 32.
We left the 2nd post talking about how the birds have a negative bearing on the story. If you listen to the words of Jesus, He always talks about the narrow road, or the narrow gate, and the fact that few will find it. Jesus message is always the same concerning this. The same is here as well. Commentaries usually only focus on the positive part of Jesus message in the parables. The ugly fact is that the Kingdom of Heaven reflects the world, and we have folks who are not fully committed to all of Jesus' Words, the Kingdom of Heaven will have these unbelieving folks as part of their attendance roles. It is interesting that Jesus foresaw this and told us about this fact in His parables. This is a big problem for us even today, because we can not see the hearts of all the people who attend Church. This is why Jesus told us to look at the fruits of people instead of listening to just their words. Churches are more interested in teaching milk, than solid food. Solid food takes more study on behalf of the teachers and makes it harder for a canned presentation. If you look at this blog, I have tried to present the Bible almost exclusively, and only comment to try to make the Bible easier to understand. Milk does not teach the necesssity of walking the walk, along with talking the talk. This is what living the Christian life is. Bible study should educate you in what Jesus Said and also how to apply it to your life. If you can not apply it, what is the good of learning it. A Christian's life should be a work in progress, becoming more like Jesus everyday. So when you die you are the most like Jesus you can be, until God completes that work in you. Are you part of the Mustard plant? Or are you a Bird? Only you can answer that, and make a change if you need to.
We left the 2nd post talking about how the birds have a negative bearing on the story. If you listen to the words of Jesus, He always talks about the narrow road, or the narrow gate, and the fact that few will find it. Jesus message is always the same concerning this. The same is here as well. Commentaries usually only focus on the positive part of Jesus message in the parables. The ugly fact is that the Kingdom of Heaven reflects the world, and we have folks who are not fully committed to all of Jesus' Words, the Kingdom of Heaven will have these unbelieving folks as part of their attendance roles. It is interesting that Jesus foresaw this and told us about this fact in His parables. This is a big problem for us even today, because we can not see the hearts of all the people who attend Church. This is why Jesus told us to look at the fruits of people instead of listening to just their words. Churches are more interested in teaching milk, than solid food. Solid food takes more study on behalf of the teachers and makes it harder for a canned presentation. If you look at this blog, I have tried to present the Bible almost exclusively, and only comment to try to make the Bible easier to understand. Milk does not teach the necesssity of walking the walk, along with talking the talk. This is what living the Christian life is. Bible study should educate you in what Jesus Said and also how to apply it to your life. If you can not apply it, what is the good of learning it. A Christian's life should be a work in progress, becoming more like Jesus everyday. So when you die you are the most like Jesus you can be, until God completes that work in you. Are you part of the Mustard plant? Or are you a Bird? Only you can answer that, and make a change if you need to.
560th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables Growing the Kingdom Con't. - Parable of the Mustard Seed Con't. 2nd Post - Matthew 13: 31 - 32.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Matthew 13: 31 - 32 Continued 2nd post.
All of the parables in this chapter start with the Kingdom of Heaven is like... As you become more familiar with the Gospels and the words of Jesus, you will come to understand that Jesus used this phrase to describe the Kingdom of Heaven in Heaven, the Kingdom of Heaven as it grows in the world; and the Kingdom of Heaven in your heart. Jesus does not tell you which Kingdom of Heaven He is talking about, He believes you will come to understand which by the context of the rest of His message. Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of Heaven in the world in this parable. The choice of the Mustard seed is to describe the size of its beginning. You remember it started with Jesus then Andrew and John and grew from there. Jesus chose the Mustard plant to describe His follower's because they will grow in numbers, but will never be the size of trees, trees being the Nations of the World. Even the Nations of the World, that say they are "Christian", have not always followed the ways of Jesus. When birds are mentioned in the Bible, most of the time it is not in a good light. In the parable of the Sower, the birds were followers of the evil one and came to destroy the seed that fell on the road. Birds in this parable that nest in the Mustard Tree, are also followers of the evil one, and they prey on the fruit of the Mustard Plant, and use the branches for refuge. It is the same today. I have run out of space again. Continued next post.
All of the parables in this chapter start with the Kingdom of Heaven is like... As you become more familiar with the Gospels and the words of Jesus, you will come to understand that Jesus used this phrase to describe the Kingdom of Heaven in Heaven, the Kingdom of Heaven as it grows in the world; and the Kingdom of Heaven in your heart. Jesus does not tell you which Kingdom of Heaven He is talking about, He believes you will come to understand which by the context of the rest of His message. Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of Heaven in the world in this parable. The choice of the Mustard seed is to describe the size of its beginning. You remember it started with Jesus then Andrew and John and grew from there. Jesus chose the Mustard plant to describe His follower's because they will grow in numbers, but will never be the size of trees, trees being the Nations of the World. Even the Nations of the World, that say they are "Christian", have not always followed the ways of Jesus. When birds are mentioned in the Bible, most of the time it is not in a good light. In the parable of the Sower, the birds were followers of the evil one and came to destroy the seed that fell on the road. Birds in this parable that nest in the Mustard Tree, are also followers of the evil one, and they prey on the fruit of the Mustard Plant, and use the branches for refuge. It is the same today. I have run out of space again. Continued next post.
559th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables about Growth in the Kingdom Con't. - Parable of the Mustard Seed 1st Post - Matthew 13: 31 -32.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Matthew 13: 31 - 32; Mark 4: 30 - 32; Luke 13: 18 - 19; 1st post.
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than all the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. To try to understand this parable, you need to look at all the parables mentioned in Chapter 13 of Matthew. Some of these parables Jesus explained to His disciples, you should remember what Jesus applied to the parables He explained, and apply the same meaning here. In all the parables in this chapter, the man is Jesus, this is true here as well. The Mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds known. When the Mustard seed reaches maturity, it can be almost 10 feet tall. This would make it seem like a tree to the other herbs, but is dwarfed by the regular trees. A 10 foot tree would be considered a sapling (an immature tree). The birds of the air come and nest in its branches. If you have read all the parables mentioned in Matthew Chapter 13, you will notice that every one has a negative aspect to it. The same goes here as well. I am running out of space for this post and will have to continue next post.
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than all the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. To try to understand this parable, you need to look at all the parables mentioned in Chapter 13 of Matthew. Some of these parables Jesus explained to His disciples, you should remember what Jesus applied to the parables He explained, and apply the same meaning here. In all the parables in this chapter, the man is Jesus, this is true here as well. The Mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds known. When the Mustard seed reaches maturity, it can be almost 10 feet tall. This would make it seem like a tree to the other herbs, but is dwarfed by the regular trees. A 10 foot tree would be considered a sapling (an immature tree). The birds of the air come and nest in its branches. If you have read all the parables mentioned in Matthew Chapter 13, you will notice that every one has a negative aspect to it. The same goes here as well. I am running out of space for this post and will have to continue next post.
Monday, September 3, 2012
558th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables - New Section - Growing the Kingdom - My Comments.
Parables New Section Growing the Kingdom 1st Post - My Comments
The parables we will be looking at in this section are:
The Mustard Seed
Leaven
Natural Growth
In the last section we were looking at Parables that dealt with the cost of Membership in the Kingdom.
Jesus told parables because it was prophesied that the Messiah would talk and teach with parables. I believe that we concentrate more on what the parable is about, than in trying to understand why Jesus told this parable at this time in His Ministry. I believe this is just as important as trying to explain the meaning of the parables. We have to remember that Jesus lived during the time of the Gentiles, part of the punishment the Jews are living under and is tied to their unbelief and will not last forever. The Bible states that after the time of the Gentiles, the Jews will again find favor with God and be restored. Isaiah foretold that during the time of the Gentiles, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Isaiah 6: 9 - 10. During the time of the Gentiles, the Jews will not understand God's Truth. Jesus was only fulfilling His part of this prophecy.
This is just another way, Jesus proved He was Who He said He was. It also proves that the Bible is the Word of God, the whole book, not just one section or the other. We will start with the Parable of the Mustard Seed next Post.
The parables we will be looking at in this section are:
The Mustard Seed
Leaven
Natural Growth
In the last section we were looking at Parables that dealt with the cost of Membership in the Kingdom.
Jesus told parables because it was prophesied that the Messiah would talk and teach with parables. I believe that we concentrate more on what the parable is about, than in trying to understand why Jesus told this parable at this time in His Ministry. I believe this is just as important as trying to explain the meaning of the parables. We have to remember that Jesus lived during the time of the Gentiles, part of the punishment the Jews are living under and is tied to their unbelief and will not last forever. The Bible states that after the time of the Gentiles, the Jews will again find favor with God and be restored. Isaiah foretold that during the time of the Gentiles, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Isaiah 6: 9 - 10. During the time of the Gentiles, the Jews will not understand God's Truth. Jesus was only fulfilling His part of this prophecy.
This is just another way, Jesus proved He was Who He said He was. It also proves that the Bible is the Word of God, the whole book, not just one section or the other. We will start with the Parable of the Mustard Seed next Post.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
557th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of Treasures Old and New Con't. 2nd Post - Matthew 13: 52.
Parable of Treasures Old and New Continued - 2nd post.
I left off last post with Galatians 1: 8 -9, which is a very strong warning for all of us who are trying to teach the truth. Jesus holds teachers more accountable, then our students because to him much is given, to him much is required. Jesus wants His Message Preached Completely, not just the parts teachers like, or the parts they feel they can fulfill. This was the disconnect Jesus had with the religious leaders of His day. They taught the Scriptures according to their own understanding, and not God's. It is very easy for teachers to fall into this situation. Teachers are looked to to tell our listener's the Truth. We live in a world where the common belief is that truth is relative, THIS IS NOT GOD'S TRUTH!!! This is why Jesus can make the claim "I am the Resurrection and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." Those words do not seem to have any room for other ways. This is God's Truth! As you proceed through your walk with Jesus, you will appreciate the Old Testament prophecies that pointed to Jesus birth and continue to point to Jesus Second Coming. The prophecies made in the New Testament, do not change the prophecies made in the Old Testament, but provide more information. This is what this parable is about, Treasures Old and New, you need both to have a complete treasure. What does your Treasure Chest look like? Only one kind Old or New?? If so, the Scriptures provide for what you are missing.
I left off last post with Galatians 1: 8 -9, which is a very strong warning for all of us who are trying to teach the truth. Jesus holds teachers more accountable, then our students because to him much is given, to him much is required. Jesus wants His Message Preached Completely, not just the parts teachers like, or the parts they feel they can fulfill. This was the disconnect Jesus had with the religious leaders of His day. They taught the Scriptures according to their own understanding, and not God's. It is very easy for teachers to fall into this situation. Teachers are looked to to tell our listener's the Truth. We live in a world where the common belief is that truth is relative, THIS IS NOT GOD'S TRUTH!!! This is why Jesus can make the claim "I am the Resurrection and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." Those words do not seem to have any room for other ways. This is God's Truth! As you proceed through your walk with Jesus, you will appreciate the Old Testament prophecies that pointed to Jesus birth and continue to point to Jesus Second Coming. The prophecies made in the New Testament, do not change the prophecies made in the Old Testament, but provide more information. This is what this parable is about, Treasures Old and New, you need both to have a complete treasure. What does your Treasure Chest look like? Only one kind Old or New?? If so, the Scriptures provide for what you are missing.
556th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of Treasures Old and New - 1st Post Matthew 13: 52.
Parable of Treasures Old and New - Matthew 13: 52 - 1st Post.
Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out his treasure things new and old.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. It is part of a cluster of parables He told concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. In the earlier ones we have been looking at, Jesus was using the parable to describe what the Kingdom of Heaven is and how precious the Way to the Kingdom of Heaven is. Jesus is telling the teacher's of His Word, to make sure they are teaching the whole message, not just part of it. The treasures "Old", are the Truths laid out in the Scriptures, starting with Moses in Genesis and going throughout the Old Testament. The Treasures "New", are the Truths laid out by Jesus and His Apostles as recorded in the New Testament. These are the treasures old and new. Galatians 1: 8 -9 says: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. I am running out of space so will continue next post.
Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out his treasure things new and old.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. It is part of a cluster of parables He told concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. In the earlier ones we have been looking at, Jesus was using the parable to describe what the Kingdom of Heaven is and how precious the Way to the Kingdom of Heaven is. Jesus is telling the teacher's of His Word, to make sure they are teaching the whole message, not just part of it. The treasures "Old", are the Truths laid out in the Scriptures, starting with Moses in Genesis and going throughout the Old Testament. The Treasures "New", are the Truths laid out by Jesus and His Apostles as recorded in the New Testament. These are the treasures old and new. Galatians 1: 8 -9 says: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. I am running out of space so will continue next post.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
555th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Con't. Matthew 13: 45- 46 Con't. 2nd Post.
Matthew 13: 45 - 46 Continued 2nd Post - The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price.
In both of these parables, the Pearl and the Treasure Buried in the Field, had the same thing in common. Two people entered a place found something they recognized as very valuable, did whatever they could to obtain it, then once they owned it would never part with it. But what is it?? Jesus started each parable with the kingdom of heaven is like...; gaining entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is that valuable. It is the same today as it was at the time of Jesus, everyone who comes in contact with the Gospel has to make a decision. Do you want to have eternal life, or not. As these parables attest, there is a price to be paid in order to gain eternal life. These parables say that cost is high; some people don't want to pay the price. What is the price?? Total commitment, God wants you 100%. This is the problem people have these days, because the world seems too good to stay away from. We try to bargain with God, in order to gain eternal life with the least amount of cost. This is not what these parables are teaching. Look at the response of both finders in these parables. Both are very happy with their purchase and neither one would part with their purchase for anything. Is your commitment to God this strong?? That is the goal.
In both of these parables, the Pearl and the Treasure Buried in the Field, had the same thing in common. Two people entered a place found something they recognized as very valuable, did whatever they could to obtain it, then once they owned it would never part with it. But what is it?? Jesus started each parable with the kingdom of heaven is like...; gaining entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is that valuable. It is the same today as it was at the time of Jesus, everyone who comes in contact with the Gospel has to make a decision. Do you want to have eternal life, or not. As these parables attest, there is a price to be paid in order to gain eternal life. These parables say that cost is high; some people don't want to pay the price. What is the price?? Total commitment, God wants you 100%. This is the problem people have these days, because the world seems too good to stay away from. We try to bargain with God, in order to gain eternal life with the least amount of cost. This is not what these parables are teaching. Look at the response of both finders in these parables. Both are very happy with their purchase and neither one would part with their purchase for anything. Is your commitment to God this strong?? That is the goal.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
554th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price - Matthew 13: 45 - 46 Con't. - 1st Post.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price - Matthew 13: 45 - 46 1st Post.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Jesus said these words about 1.1/2 - 2 years into His earthly ministry. This parable and the "Treasure in the field" are both about the same thing. The Jews living in Israel, would identify with the buried treasure parable more because it was widely practiced in Israel. The pearl merchant would be more like a traveler of the known world at the time. Jesus says that this merchant was searching for, seeking for beautiful pearls. Jesus gives the impression of this merchant, as very knowledgeable concerning values of all sorts of pearls. It was this familiarity with pearls that made him recognize a pearl that would demand a great price to own it. The merchant, like the person who buys the field, understands that it is imperative for him to own this pearl. The merchant gladly sells all he has in order to buy this one pearl; once he had it he would never sell it. You have to understand, that Jews had a problem with worshiping the Most High God exclusively. This was the primary reason the Jews had been displaced out of Israel over the course of their existence. This disconnect was a very large problem at the time of Jesus as well. Continued next post.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Jesus said these words about 1.1/2 - 2 years into His earthly ministry. This parable and the "Treasure in the field" are both about the same thing. The Jews living in Israel, would identify with the buried treasure parable more because it was widely practiced in Israel. The pearl merchant would be more like a traveler of the known world at the time. Jesus says that this merchant was searching for, seeking for beautiful pearls. Jesus gives the impression of this merchant, as very knowledgeable concerning values of all sorts of pearls. It was this familiarity with pearls that made him recognize a pearl that would demand a great price to own it. The merchant, like the person who buys the field, understands that it is imperative for him to own this pearl. The merchant gladly sells all he has in order to buy this one pearl; once he had it he would never sell it. You have to understand, that Jews had a problem with worshiping the Most High God exclusively. This was the primary reason the Jews had been displaced out of Israel over the course of their existence. This disconnect was a very large problem at the time of Jesus as well. Continued next post.
553rd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Treasure in a Field Con't. - Matthew 13: 44 Con't. - 2nd Post.
Parable of the Treasure in a field continued 2nd post - Matthew 13:44.
Why did Jesus decide to tell this parable at this time in His ministry? Jesus at this time seemed to have two distinctive groups that were following Him. The Jews that knew the Torah, and listened to His Words, because they knew He spoke the truth; or they were trying to find fault with His Teachings. The other group was made up of people who knew they needed a Savior, and heard in His Words, the way to the Savior. This second group was made up of Jews and Gentiles. What did this parable have to do with Jesus Ministry? Remember Jesus was explaining what the kingdom of heaven was like. The land or field where the treasure was hidden represents Israel. The treasure represents God's Word. This contains, the way to get to heaven. The Jews were given this treasure by Moses on Mount Sinai, and over the years between Moses and the coming of Christ, the Jews, by studying and worshiping God according to their own understanding had lost the true meaning of the Word of God; represented by the treasure being buried and forgotten. People listening to Jesus and becoming aware of the correct meaning of the Word of God, represents the person who finds the treasure, and then hides it again so he can leave the field and buy the field. Once you know the truth, you will part with everything else in order to obtain the truth. Will you put God in the position of number one in your life?? Only you can answer that question.
Why did Jesus decide to tell this parable at this time in His ministry? Jesus at this time seemed to have two distinctive groups that were following Him. The Jews that knew the Torah, and listened to His Words, because they knew He spoke the truth; or they were trying to find fault with His Teachings. The other group was made up of people who knew they needed a Savior, and heard in His Words, the way to the Savior. This second group was made up of Jews and Gentiles. What did this parable have to do with Jesus Ministry? Remember Jesus was explaining what the kingdom of heaven was like. The land or field where the treasure was hidden represents Israel. The treasure represents God's Word. This contains, the way to get to heaven. The Jews were given this treasure by Moses on Mount Sinai, and over the years between Moses and the coming of Christ, the Jews, by studying and worshiping God according to their own understanding had lost the true meaning of the Word of God; represented by the treasure being buried and forgotten. People listening to Jesus and becoming aware of the correct meaning of the Word of God, represents the person who finds the treasure, and then hides it again so he can leave the field and buy the field. Once you know the truth, you will part with everything else in order to obtain the truth. Will you put God in the position of number one in your life?? Only you can answer that question.
Monday, August 20, 2012
552 Jesus Said In Parables Conerning Value of Membership in the Kingdom - The Parable of the Treasure in the Field - Matthew 13: 44- 1st Post.
Matthew 13:44 The Parable of the Treasure in the field. 1st post.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1,1/2 - 2 years into His earthly ministry. It was common practice in Israel, for people to bury their treasure in their field before their land was under siege by their enemies. You have to remember that this was before the time of banks, and the people had to keep their valuables in their houses. If the enemy of the people happened to kill the family who buried the treasure, it could lie hidden for quite some time before it would be discovered. If this was the case, the person who owns the field would be the owner of the treasure. This explains why the person in the parable who finds the treasure, hides it again to keep it safe until he could buy the land on which the treasure is buried. The parable goes on to say that the man had to sell all he has in order to buy the land containing the treasure. This shows the great value of the hidden treasure. Why would Jesus liken the kingdom of heaven to this treasure hidden in the field? The kingdom of heaven has the capability of changing not only a man's past but also his future. This means that obtaining the kingdom of heaven would change where he would spend eternity. This makes this treasure valuable indeed. How much would you part with in order to obtain the kingdom of heaven?? If you know the Bible, you would do exactly the same thing as the man in the parable. Spending eternity with God is the most important thing for believer's. Do you believe?? Or do you need more information, before making a commitment.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1,1/2 - 2 years into His earthly ministry. It was common practice in Israel, for people to bury their treasure in their field before their land was under siege by their enemies. You have to remember that this was before the time of banks, and the people had to keep their valuables in their houses. If the enemy of the people happened to kill the family who buried the treasure, it could lie hidden for quite some time before it would be discovered. If this was the case, the person who owns the field would be the owner of the treasure. This explains why the person in the parable who finds the treasure, hides it again to keep it safe until he could buy the land on which the treasure is buried. The parable goes on to say that the man had to sell all he has in order to buy the land containing the treasure. This shows the great value of the hidden treasure. Why would Jesus liken the kingdom of heaven to this treasure hidden in the field? The kingdom of heaven has the capability of changing not only a man's past but also his future. This means that obtaining the kingdom of heaven would change where he would spend eternity. This makes this treasure valuable indeed. How much would you part with in order to obtain the kingdom of heaven?? If you know the Bible, you would do exactly the same thing as the man in the parable. Spending eternity with God is the most important thing for believer's. Do you believe?? Or do you need more information, before making a commitment.
Friday, August 10, 2012
551 Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parale of Pharisee and the Tax Collector Con't. Luke 18: 10 - 14 Con't. 3rd.Post
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Continued 3rd Post Luke 18: 10 - 14.
The Pharisees looked on the common folk differently by politics as well. The Pharisees were better connected politically, and looked down on others less fortunate as below them. The Pharisees considered Tax Collectors to be traders, because they were employed by Rome. To make matters worse, the Romans did not pay them to collect the tax. The collectors had to charge the people more than the tax due and keep the difference for their pay. This added to the hatred the Jews had for tax collectors, they looked on them as robbers and cheats. All of this added to their arrogance as shown by the Pharisees' prayer and the manner in which he prayed. The common people connected with Jesus' message, because He talked about forgiveness and reconciliation. The common people knew they were sinners, and needed a Savior. The Pharisees, believed they did not sin and therefore had no need of a Savior. Look at the way the tax collector entered the Temple, he would not raise his head, and beat his breast saying "God be merciful to me a sinner!"
Notice it was not the gifts or lack of them given to God, that was important to God. What is important to God is the condition of your heart, and your knowledge that without God's help we all would be in hell. What is the condition of your heart? There is still time to make a change.
The Pharisees looked on the common folk differently by politics as well. The Pharisees were better connected politically, and looked down on others less fortunate as below them. The Pharisees considered Tax Collectors to be traders, because they were employed by Rome. To make matters worse, the Romans did not pay them to collect the tax. The collectors had to charge the people more than the tax due and keep the difference for their pay. This added to the hatred the Jews had for tax collectors, they looked on them as robbers and cheats. All of this added to their arrogance as shown by the Pharisees' prayer and the manner in which he prayed. The common people connected with Jesus' message, because He talked about forgiveness and reconciliation. The common people knew they were sinners, and needed a Savior. The Pharisees, believed they did not sin and therefore had no need of a Savior. Look at the way the tax collector entered the Temple, he would not raise his head, and beat his breast saying "God be merciful to me a sinner!"
Notice it was not the gifts or lack of them given to God, that was important to God. What is important to God is the condition of your heart, and your knowledge that without God's help we all would be in hell. What is the condition of your heart? There is still time to make a change.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
550th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Con't. - Luke 18: 10 - 14 Con't. - 2nd Post.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18: 10 - 14 Continued 2nd Post.
Another difference between the Pharisees and the common people is in regards to how they viewed the Scriptures. The Pharisees felt that since they studied God's Law, and taught others how to live by it, they were above the Law, and did not sin. According to the Scriptures (God's Word), all men are sinful because of the sin Adam brought into the world, and the wages of that sin is death. This is proved in the fact that all men will die, unless they are part of the last generation spoken of in the Scriptures (God's Word) that won't see death. This helps to explain the disconnect between the Pharisees and God. Jesus was calling the people to come closer to God. The Pharisees were bogged down with the traditions given in Leviticus that told them to do these and when. The problem is the people forgot why they were doing the traditions, and did them according to their own understanding. This same thing can happen to us in our Christian Churches even today. The answer is not throwing out all the traditions, but teaching the reasons God wants us to do them. By doing what was done in the past, you connect with other generations of believer's. This way you remember the past and won't make the same mistakes in the future. I have run out of space again and will continue next post.
Another difference between the Pharisees and the common people is in regards to how they viewed the Scriptures. The Pharisees felt that since they studied God's Law, and taught others how to live by it, they were above the Law, and did not sin. According to the Scriptures (God's Word), all men are sinful because of the sin Adam brought into the world, and the wages of that sin is death. This is proved in the fact that all men will die, unless they are part of the last generation spoken of in the Scriptures (God's Word) that won't see death. This helps to explain the disconnect between the Pharisees and God. Jesus was calling the people to come closer to God. The Pharisees were bogged down with the traditions given in Leviticus that told them to do these and when. The problem is the people forgot why they were doing the traditions, and did them according to their own understanding. This same thing can happen to us in our Christian Churches even today. The answer is not throwing out all the traditions, but teaching the reasons God wants us to do them. By doing what was done in the past, you connect with other generations of believer's. This way you remember the past and won't make the same mistakes in the future. I have run out of space again and will continue next post.
549th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable The Pharisee and the Tax Collector - 1st Post.
Luke 18:10 - 14, The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, 1st post.
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess." And the tax-collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
This parable was spoken by Jesus shortly after He raised Lazarus from the dead, and while He was hiding from the Religious Leaders in Trans-Jordan. This would make the time about two weeks before He was to be crucified. Jesus picked the characters in His story for several reasons. If you have been following this blog or any length of time, you should be able to guess some of the reasons. First, Jesus had two types of followers, Pharisees and the common people. These two groups saw themselves and God differently. This is what this parable is trying to show. The Pharisee in the parable, seems very arrogant, over things he had almost no control over. He thanked God for placing him in a good family, in a political and religious position. Then he thanks God for making him (in his eyes) better than other men. Then he tells God all the good things he does as if this will help get him into heaven. Jesus contrasts this person with a common believer. Look how this man comes before the Throne of Grace. He can not even lift his head to look up toward God. He knows he needs a Savior. He knows that without God's help, he will go to hell. This is very important, we all need to understand that none of us can reach heaven on our own, we all need Jesus' help. I will stop here and continue next post.
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess." And the tax-collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
This parable was spoken by Jesus shortly after He raised Lazarus from the dead, and while He was hiding from the Religious Leaders in Trans-Jordan. This would make the time about two weeks before He was to be crucified. Jesus picked the characters in His story for several reasons. If you have been following this blog or any length of time, you should be able to guess some of the reasons. First, Jesus had two types of followers, Pharisees and the common people. These two groups saw themselves and God differently. This is what this parable is trying to show. The Pharisee in the parable, seems very arrogant, over things he had almost no control over. He thanked God for placing him in a good family, in a political and religious position. Then he thanks God for making him (in his eyes) better than other men. Then he tells God all the good things he does as if this will help get him into heaven. Jesus contrasts this person with a common believer. Look how this man comes before the Throne of Grace. He can not even lift his head to look up toward God. He knows he needs a Savior. He knows that without God's help, he will go to hell. This is very important, we all need to understand that none of us can reach heaven on our own, we all need Jesus' help. I will stop here and continue next post.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
548th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Good Samaritan Con't - 9th Post Luke 10: 30 - 37.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan Continued - 9th Post - Luke 10: 30 - 31.
What does this parable teach us today? The answer is plenty, don't think you can learn anything from this parable? Take the Samaritan, in the story and substitute it with a homeless person, or the victim for that matter. Would you act more like the priest and Levite in the story, or would you still be the Samaritan? How far would you go in offering help? Would you put this person in your car? These examples are written from an American perspective, because that is where I happen to live. If you live somewhere else and are reading this, make your own substitutions, you know what God is telling you through these words. What if you are the innkeeper and these people come to you? Would you show them the door, or would you have the same compassion, the innkeeper had in Jesus' parable? The Parable of the Good Samaritan is very relative to us today, and the message is still as strong as it was then. In God's Eyes, all men are our neighbor, and we need to treat them with respect and dignity.
What does this parable teach us today? The answer is plenty, don't think you can learn anything from this parable? Take the Samaritan, in the story and substitute it with a homeless person, or the victim for that matter. Would you act more like the priest and Levite in the story, or would you still be the Samaritan? How far would you go in offering help? Would you put this person in your car? These examples are written from an American perspective, because that is where I happen to live. If you live somewhere else and are reading this, make your own substitutions, you know what God is telling you through these words. What if you are the innkeeper and these people come to you? Would you show them the door, or would you have the same compassion, the innkeeper had in Jesus' parable? The Parable of the Good Samaritan is very relative to us today, and the message is still as strong as it was then. In God's Eyes, all men are our neighbor, and we need to treat them with respect and dignity.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
547th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Good Samaritan Con't. - Luke 10: 30 - 37 Con't. 8th Post.
Parable of the Good Samaritan Continued - 8th Post.
The story continues with the Samaritan showing up and having compassion on the victim tends to his wounds and takes him to an inn, for further care. Jesus used a Samaritan to further make His point. Jews believed the Samaritans to be the least of men even though they were part Jewish. There in lies the problem. Jews prized the fact that they could trace their Jewish roots down both sides of their family tree. Jews believed that they were the "Chosen People of God", and because of this enjoyed a higher place with God than other people. The Jews were indeed chosen by God, but they were not to look on themselves as better, just different. This is why God requires them to dress a certain way, eat and to act and treat others a certain way. God taught that their neighbor was all people, they were to treat all people as they would like to be treated. The Samaritan in Jesus' story, not only treated the man's wounds, but took him with him to a place of protection, and continued to take care of this man. Its like Jesus anticipated our next question, how much assistance are we required to give to our neighbor. This like most of Jesus' other teachings are very hard to do, to God's level of commitment. Continued next post.
The story continues with the Samaritan showing up and having compassion on the victim tends to his wounds and takes him to an inn, for further care. Jesus used a Samaritan to further make His point. Jews believed the Samaritans to be the least of men even though they were part Jewish. There in lies the problem. Jews prized the fact that they could trace their Jewish roots down both sides of their family tree. Jews believed that they were the "Chosen People of God", and because of this enjoyed a higher place with God than other people. The Jews were indeed chosen by God, but they were not to look on themselves as better, just different. This is why God requires them to dress a certain way, eat and to act and treat others a certain way. God taught that their neighbor was all people, they were to treat all people as they would like to be treated. The Samaritan in Jesus' story, not only treated the man's wounds, but took him with him to a place of protection, and continued to take care of this man. Its like Jesus anticipated our next question, how much assistance are we required to give to our neighbor. This like most of Jesus' other teachings are very hard to do, to God's level of commitment. Continued next post.
546th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Good Samaritan Con't. - 7th Post Luke 10: 30 - 37.
Then the lawyer continues his test of Jesus by asking "Who is my neighbor?" Then Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. The lawyer, by answering Jesus' question concerning the Scriptures, tells us that the lawyer already knew who his neighbor was, and how he was to act towards him. Now this shows Jesus' ability to observe a situation and get to the heart of the problem. There was a disconnect between the educated people and the common people. This disconnect can happen in our churches even today, if we are not careful. In Jesus time, the educated people looked down on the common people as being sinful and not on the same level as they are. Jesus showed this by the way the priest and the Levite treated the poor man they met on the road. Jesus did not tell us how rich the poor traveler was before he met the robbers. He could have been a man of means like the educated people that could not recognize him and then treated him as a commoner. The fact that these two were the educated Religious Leaders, made this disconnect all the more obvious. Jews were called on in their Scriptures to show compassion towards all people, as illustrated in the She'ma Law, that the lawyer recited perfectly. Jews knew the law, but chose to obey it according to their own understanding. This is not just a problem for these Jews, but for us as well. We are required to do everything, not just that, that we are comfortable with. Continued next post.
545th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Good Samaritan 6th Post - Luke 10:30 - 37 Con't.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan Continued 6th Post. Luke 10: 30 - 37.
We have introduced the people in the story and told you something about them to help you to understand this parable. Now we are going to look at who asked the question that caused Jesus to tell this story. The story starts at Luke 10: 25. When you turn in your Bible to this verse it says that a lawyer stood up and put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" This account makes sure you understand that the person asking the question is a lawyer. This is a man who makes his living working in the world, and not a Religious leader. This man knows the Scriptures, as explained by his answer to Jesus' question to him in verse 26. "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." This is the She'ma law passed down from Moses that all Jews were to teach their children. This was commanded to be written on their gate posts, door posts, on their heads and at their fingertips. This lawyer by answering Jesus in this way, showed that he was a believer in the law. I have run out of space again and will continue next post.
We have introduced the people in the story and told you something about them to help you to understand this parable. Now we are going to look at who asked the question that caused Jesus to tell this story. The story starts at Luke 10: 25. When you turn in your Bible to this verse it says that a lawyer stood up and put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" This account makes sure you understand that the person asking the question is a lawyer. This is a man who makes his living working in the world, and not a Religious leader. This man knows the Scriptures, as explained by his answer to Jesus' question to him in verse 26. "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." This is the She'ma law passed down from Moses that all Jews were to teach their children. This was commanded to be written on their gate posts, door posts, on their heads and at their fingertips. This lawyer by answering Jesus in this way, showed that he was a believer in the law. I have run out of space again and will continue next post.
Friday, June 22, 2012
544th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables - True Religion Section - Parable of the Good Samaritan Con't. 5th Post - Luke 10: 30 - 37.
Luke 10: 30 -37 Continued 5th Post - The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
We left last post identifying the rescuer. Of the three, the Samaritan would have the most reasons for not helping a Jew in trouble. This is Jesus' point. If you are living for God, you look at other people not as enemies, but as other of God's creation. Jesus tells us that the Samaritan saw the helpless victim lying there on the road and had compassion for him. He washed and bandaged his wounds, and took him to an inn and continued to take care of him. In the morning the Samaritan gave the innkeeper 2 denarii (2 days wages), and said take care of this man, keep track what you spend over this amount and I will repay you upon my return. This concludes the parable of the Good Samaritan. Now why did Jesus tell this parable? If you look in Luke where this parable falls, you will see Jesus had just sent out 72 of His disciples on a mission trip in two's. The Jews would look at Jesus' disciples and treat them in a similar way as if they were Samaritans. The disciples were not schooled in Religion, as the Pharisees and Sadducees are, nor did they have vast Scripture knowledge. The Religious leaders thought they were above the common people, and so would not try to help them if they were in trouble. Jesus was teaching that we all are equal, and only God is above us. We have to treat everyone like we want to be treated, even if they are our enemies. This is a very hard lesson to learn, but Jesus expects us to get it right. How do you score on this??
We left last post identifying the rescuer. Of the three, the Samaritan would have the most reasons for not helping a Jew in trouble. This is Jesus' point. If you are living for God, you look at other people not as enemies, but as other of God's creation. Jesus tells us that the Samaritan saw the helpless victim lying there on the road and had compassion for him. He washed and bandaged his wounds, and took him to an inn and continued to take care of him. In the morning the Samaritan gave the innkeeper 2 denarii (2 days wages), and said take care of this man, keep track what you spend over this amount and I will repay you upon my return. This concludes the parable of the Good Samaritan. Now why did Jesus tell this parable? If you look in Luke where this parable falls, you will see Jesus had just sent out 72 of His disciples on a mission trip in two's. The Jews would look at Jesus' disciples and treat them in a similar way as if they were Samaritans. The disciples were not schooled in Religion, as the Pharisees and Sadducees are, nor did they have vast Scripture knowledge. The Religious leaders thought they were above the common people, and so would not try to help them if they were in trouble. Jesus was teaching that we all are equal, and only God is above us. We have to treat everyone like we want to be treated, even if they are our enemies. This is a very hard lesson to learn, but Jesus expects us to get it right. How do you score on this??
Thursday, June 21, 2012
543rd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Good Samaritan Con't. - 4th Post - Luke 10: 30 - 37.
Luke 10: 30 - 37, 4th Post Parable of the Good Samaritan Continued.
We left last post with the two religious leaders crossing over to the other side of the road without stopping and giving any help. Jesus then tells us the next potential rescuer is a Samaritan. It is interesting that Jesus would use this group as the next potential rescuer. To a Jew, Samaritans are unclean and worse than other Gentiles (non-Jews). These people were not to be trusted, they were considered to be God-less, and untrustworthy. The ironic fact of the matter is that the Samaritans were part Jewish. Hatred of the Samaritans stems from the fall of the 10 tribes of the North of Israel, that were rounded up and moved from their homeland to the lands of Elam by the Assyrians. The Samaritans, are the ones who the Assyrians could not catch and they gave themselves in marriage to the group the Assyrians put in place of the Jews they deported. Not only did they give themselves in marriage, but they also adopted the gods these new people brought with them. I have run out of space again. Continued next post.
We left last post with the two religious leaders crossing over to the other side of the road without stopping and giving any help. Jesus then tells us the next potential rescuer is a Samaritan. It is interesting that Jesus would use this group as the next potential rescuer. To a Jew, Samaritans are unclean and worse than other Gentiles (non-Jews). These people were not to be trusted, they were considered to be God-less, and untrustworthy. The ironic fact of the matter is that the Samaritans were part Jewish. Hatred of the Samaritans stems from the fall of the 10 tribes of the North of Israel, that were rounded up and moved from their homeland to the lands of Elam by the Assyrians. The Samaritans, are the ones who the Assyrians could not catch and they gave themselves in marriage to the group the Assyrians put in place of the Jews they deported. Not only did they give themselves in marriage, but they also adopted the gods these new people brought with them. I have run out of space again. Continued next post.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
542nd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. True Religion Section Con't. - Parable of the Good Samaritan Con't. 3rd Post - Luke 10:30 - 37.
Luke 10: 30 - 37 Continued 3rd post - Parable of the Good Samaritan.
We left the story in last post, with the first would be rescuer coming upon the scene and crossing to the other side of the road. The next potential rescuer who comes is a Levite, who also is a religious leader of sorts and also works in the Temple. This one also crosses on the other side of the road, not wanting to get involved, or making himself a target in case the people who did the attack have not yet left the area. This could have been the reason the first one did not stop either. The road between Jericho and Jerusalem goes over the mountains and is filled with switchbacks as it descends from Jerusalem to Jericho. This type of road is an invitation for people wanting to use it for ambush purposes. The terrain provides falling rocks, and caves in which there are potentially many places to hide and wait for unsuspecting victims. These also provide a place to disappear to. There are other safer routes from Jerusalem to Jericho, but they take more time and take you way out of your way. This road was the most direct route between these two cities. I have run out of space again, will continue next post.
We left the story in last post, with the first would be rescuer coming upon the scene and crossing to the other side of the road. The next potential rescuer who comes is a Levite, who also is a religious leader of sorts and also works in the Temple. This one also crosses on the other side of the road, not wanting to get involved, or making himself a target in case the people who did the attack have not yet left the area. This could have been the reason the first one did not stop either. The road between Jericho and Jerusalem goes over the mountains and is filled with switchbacks as it descends from Jerusalem to Jericho. This type of road is an invitation for people wanting to use it for ambush purposes. The terrain provides falling rocks, and caves in which there are potentially many places to hide and wait for unsuspecting victims. These also provide a place to disappear to. There are other safer routes from Jerusalem to Jericho, but they take more time and take you way out of your way. This road was the most direct route between these two cities. I have run out of space again, will continue next post.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
541st Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - True Religion Con't. - Parable of the Good Samaritan Con't. Luke 10: 30 - 37 - 2nd Post.
Luke 10: 30 - 37 Continued Parable of the Good Samaritan - 2nd Post.
Jesus had just sent out 72 of His disciples, not long before He told this parable. You probably noticed that Jesus again made a contrast between the sinners and the religious leaders of His day. The religious leaders could not relate to the common people; they considered the common people sinners, and themselves as sinless. This caused a major disconnect between the religious leaders and the common folk. The people perceived that God also was unknowable and disinterested in their lives. Jesus was trying to change the people's perception of God. Jericho was a place that had a large population of Priests and Levites living there because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, and they worked in the Temple. Jesus told us in His story which direction, the poor victim was traveling, but did not note the direction of any of the would be rescuer's. The first one who happened on the scene after the crime was committed, was a priest. Being a religious leader, he should have shown compassion on this poor helpless victim. Jesus did not give a reason for the priest to cross over to the other side of the road. I have run out of space, will continue next post.
Jesus had just sent out 72 of His disciples, not long before He told this parable. You probably noticed that Jesus again made a contrast between the sinners and the religious leaders of His day. The religious leaders could not relate to the common people; they considered the common people sinners, and themselves as sinless. This caused a major disconnect between the religious leaders and the common folk. The people perceived that God also was unknowable and disinterested in their lives. Jesus was trying to change the people's perception of God. Jericho was a place that had a large population of Priests and Levites living there because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, and they worked in the Temple. Jesus told us in His story which direction, the poor victim was traveling, but did not note the direction of any of the would be rescuer's. The first one who happened on the scene after the crime was committed, was a priest. Being a religious leader, he should have shown compassion on this poor helpless victim. Jesus did not give a reason for the priest to cross over to the other side of the road. I have run out of space, will continue next post.
Monday, June 18, 2012
540th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - True Religion Con't. - Parable of the Good Samaritan 1st Post - Luke 10: 30 - 37.
Luke 10: 30 - 37 Parable of the Good Samaritan First post.
A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him,and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him, and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii (two days wages), gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you." So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? Go and do likewise.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. I have run out of space will continue on next post.
A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him,and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him, and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii (two days wages), gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you." So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? Go and do likewise.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. I have run out of space will continue on next post.
Friday, June 15, 2012
539th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - New Section True Religion - My Comments.
New Section True Religion - My Comments.
Jesus was a new type of Religious Teacher, providing new ways of looking at God and the Scriptures, and the Temple. The Pharisees and the Sadducees, are the Religious Leaders of the time, and they were responsible for teaching the people. They were the ones to tell the people what the Words of God as written by Moses were. Proverbs 3: 5 -6 warns us about the pitfalls of leaning on our own understanding and what God had intended. Who, but Jesus, could correct the teaching and teach the correct understanding of what God intended for His people. If Jesus was teaching the Word of God exactly as Moses had, why were the Pharisees and Sadducees, His biggest crittics. The leaders were trying to live according to the Law of God and the laws of man. In this section, Jesus will attempt to show the people what was more important to God. God had intended the Law given to Moses and the animal sacrifices, to show us that we could not get to Heaven on our own, we need a Savior! Jesus Christ What a Savior!
Jesus was a new type of Religious Teacher, providing new ways of looking at God and the Scriptures, and the Temple. The Pharisees and the Sadducees, are the Religious Leaders of the time, and they were responsible for teaching the people. They were the ones to tell the people what the Words of God as written by Moses were. Proverbs 3: 5 -6 warns us about the pitfalls of leaning on our own understanding and what God had intended. Who, but Jesus, could correct the teaching and teach the correct understanding of what God intended for His people. If Jesus was teaching the Word of God exactly as Moses had, why were the Pharisees and Sadducees, His biggest crittics. The leaders were trying to live according to the Law of God and the laws of man. In this section, Jesus will attempt to show the people what was more important to God. God had intended the Law given to Moses and the animal sacrifices, to show us that we could not get to Heaven on our own, we need a Savior! Jesus Christ What a Savior!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
538th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Two Sons Con't. - Matthew 21: 28 - 31 Con't. 2nd Post.
Matthew 21: 28 - 31 Parable of the Two Sons Continued, second post.
As mentioned in the last post, Jesus was trying to teach the people how to live for God and achieve eternal life. The people believed that the rituals of Temple worship would save them. Jesus was telling them that it is more important to do the Will of God in the first place, then to keep trying to perform enough sin offerings to cover all their sins. This is a losing proposition. We left the story last post with both sons lying to their father. The first son said "he would not go," in rebellion to his father. Later the son thought about what he had said and how he was acting, he repented and went. By repenting and going, the first son was doing the will of his father. The second son said he would go and then did not. How much is this like us today? It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The second son said he would go without complaint, but then, never went. How many times do we say we will do something, and then other things come up and we fail to complete our obligations. How many times have you told someone you would pray for them and then did not? Jesus wants us to live by His Words, and do them.
As mentioned in the last post, Jesus was trying to teach the people how to live for God and achieve eternal life. The people believed that the rituals of Temple worship would save them. Jesus was telling them that it is more important to do the Will of God in the first place, then to keep trying to perform enough sin offerings to cover all their sins. This is a losing proposition. We left the story last post with both sons lying to their father. The first son said "he would not go," in rebellion to his father. Later the son thought about what he had said and how he was acting, he repented and went. By repenting and going, the first son was doing the will of his father. The second son said he would go and then did not. How much is this like us today? It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The second son said he would go without complaint, but then, never went. How many times do we say we will do something, and then other things come up and we fail to complete our obligations. How many times have you told someone you would pray for them and then did not? Jesus wants us to live by His Words, and do them.
537th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Two Sons - Matthew 21: 28 - 31.
Matthew 21: 28 - 31, The Parable of the Two Sons - First Post.
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, "Son, go, work today in my vineyard." He answered and said, "I will not," but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go, sir," but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of Ministry before He was to be crucified. This is one of a string of parables Jesus told during this discourse. All the Parables have to do with authority. Jesus told these parables because His own Authority had been questioned. This parable is pretty straight forward, in that the man had two sons, he asked both to work in his vineyard, the first said no, but thought about it and regretted his answer and went. The second said he would go, but did not. It is interesting that both sons lied to their father, but the first son actually did what he was told. Jesus has been teaching his whole earthly ministry on "How to Live for God and enter the Kingdom of Heaven." I have run out of space will continue next post.
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, "Son, go, work today in my vineyard." He answered and said, "I will not," but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go, sir," but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week of Ministry before He was to be crucified. This is one of a string of parables Jesus told during this discourse. All the Parables have to do with authority. Jesus told these parables because His own Authority had been questioned. This parable is pretty straight forward, in that the man had two sons, he asked both to work in his vineyard, the first said no, but thought about it and regretted his answer and went. The second said he would go, but did not. It is interesting that both sons lied to their father, but the first son actually did what he was told. Jesus has been teaching his whole earthly ministry on "How to Live for God and enter the Kingdom of Heaven." I have run out of space will continue next post.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
536th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - New Section on Obedience - My Comments.
I believe this section is started too early, because we have not finished all the parables mentioned in Luke chapter 16. We will look at those later in this study, I hope. I have made a note of this and will fix it during my rewrite. Anyway, Jesus told a parable that dealt with the subject of Obedience. It is very easy for us to become lax in our day to day life, concerning the things of Christ. We get bogged down with the worries and cares of this world and forget that to be called a "Christian", there should be enough evidence in your life to prove you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus has told us over and over in the Gospels, "To be not only a hearer of God's Word, but a doer as well." When we become a doer, our life changes, because we start living for God and not for this world. When you have Christ in your life, God comes first, then your family and other people, and you are the last one you think about. This is completely backwards from the way the world teaches. The World teaches, take care of you first, then worry about others, and after that you can worry about God, but God is not that necessary.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
535th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Clever But Evil Steward Con't. 7th Post - Luke 16: 1 - 13 Con't.
Luke 16: 1 - 13 Continued Parable of the Clever But Evil Steward Con't. 7th post.
We were looking at unrighteous mammon in the last post. We were trying to explain that even if you are evil, you have to adopt some good qualities, in order to have any social life. This is where the saying of "Honor among thieves," comes from. Jesus went on to explain that how well you adopt the social practices will coincide with how successful you are in the world. The bottom line is that in order to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven, and everlasting life, you must not live for the world, but for God. This parable was spoken by Jesus during His discourse on "Repent or Perish". The action that Jesus was asking the people He was talking to is the same action, you have to decide what you will do. Once you are confronted with the Word of God and His Truth, you have to make a decision, are you going to change your sinful ways and walk in the light, or are you going to remain in your sin? This is the same question we must all answer. Are you in the world, or in the Kingdom of God, the choice is yours.
We were looking at unrighteous mammon in the last post. We were trying to explain that even if you are evil, you have to adopt some good qualities, in order to have any social life. This is where the saying of "Honor among thieves," comes from. Jesus went on to explain that how well you adopt the social practices will coincide with how successful you are in the world. The bottom line is that in order to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven, and everlasting life, you must not live for the world, but for God. This parable was spoken by Jesus during His discourse on "Repent or Perish". The action that Jesus was asking the people He was talking to is the same action, you have to decide what you will do. Once you are confronted with the Word of God and His Truth, you have to make a decision, are you going to change your sinful ways and walk in the light, or are you going to remain in your sin? This is the same question we must all answer. Are you in the world, or in the Kingdom of God, the choice is yours.
534th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Clever But Evil Steward Con't. 6th Post. - Luke 16: 1 - 13.
Luke 16: 1 - 13 Continued, Parable of the Clever But Evil Steward, 6th post.
Jesus now starts talking about unrighteous mammon. If you are evil, you cannot be totally evil to everyone. For if you are, you will find yourself completely alone. If you are evil to everyone, they will understand that you cannot be trusted. In order to survive in life, you have to do some things right. In our parable spoken by Jesus, the steward had only cheated his master. After he was found out, and before he was fired, the steward cheated the master again. He was nice to the master's debtor's in the hope that they would in turn be nice to him. What the steward did to the debtor's, would fall within the teaching of Jesus, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (The Golden Rule). Clearly, this steward knows the teaching, but only practices it when it will benefit him. Jesus teaches us to apply this rule to every one, at all times. This is what Jesus meant by the phrase, "Make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home." This is not Heaven, only God has the power to determine where you will end up. I have run out of room again, continued next post.
Jesus now starts talking about unrighteous mammon. If you are evil, you cannot be totally evil to everyone. For if you are, you will find yourself completely alone. If you are evil to everyone, they will understand that you cannot be trusted. In order to survive in life, you have to do some things right. In our parable spoken by Jesus, the steward had only cheated his master. After he was found out, and before he was fired, the steward cheated the master again. He was nice to the master's debtor's in the hope that they would in turn be nice to him. What the steward did to the debtor's, would fall within the teaching of Jesus, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (The Golden Rule). Clearly, this steward knows the teaching, but only practices it when it will benefit him. Jesus teaches us to apply this rule to every one, at all times. This is what Jesus meant by the phrase, "Make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home." This is not Heaven, only God has the power to determine where you will end up. I have run out of room again, continued next post.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
533rd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of The Clever, But Evil Steward Con't. 5th Post. - Luke 16: 1 - 13.
Luke 16: 1 - 13, continued Parable of the Clever But Evil Steward Con't. 5th Post.
In my last post, I was talking about confrontation. This happens when the Words of Jesus convict you and make you, make a change in your thinking and in your way of living. The person in our story, did not make such a change. The title of the Parable, gives you this information, "The Clever, But Evil Steward". If he had changed, Jesus would have included this information in His story. We have to remember that merely hearing, or reading God's Word, or the Words of Jesus, does not get us into Heaven. Satan, knows these Words, but does not practice them. When we adopt Jesus' Words, into our life and start living His Words, is when and where change happens. This is the process of being "Born Again". When you become a believer, you shed your old ways and adopt a new way of living. This new way of living is seen by others almost immediately, you will look at life differently, and at people differently. You will feel different inside also, this is called the "Joy of the Gospel." This post explains the change that should have taken place, but did not. I still have more of this parable to look at and explain.
In my last post, I was talking about confrontation. This happens when the Words of Jesus convict you and make you, make a change in your thinking and in your way of living. The person in our story, did not make such a change. The title of the Parable, gives you this information, "The Clever, But Evil Steward". If he had changed, Jesus would have included this information in His story. We have to remember that merely hearing, or reading God's Word, or the Words of Jesus, does not get us into Heaven. Satan, knows these Words, but does not practice them. When we adopt Jesus' Words, into our life and start living His Words, is when and where change happens. This is the process of being "Born Again". When you become a believer, you shed your old ways and adopt a new way of living. This new way of living is seen by others almost immediately, you will look at life differently, and at people differently. You will feel different inside also, this is called the "Joy of the Gospel." This post explains the change that should have taken place, but did not. I still have more of this parable to look at and explain.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
532nd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Clever But Evil Steward Con't. 4th post - Luke 16: 1 - 13.
Luke 16: 1 - 13 The Parable of the Clever But Evil Steward Continued 4th post.
So far, believers and non-believers would act in this same way. It is here you need to remind yourself that Jesus is speaking on the topic of Repentance or Perish. With this in mind we will start looking at the rest of this parable. Jesus was speaking to both Pharisees and Common folk, during this discourse started in Luke chapter 13. The Parable of the "Rich Man and Lazarus" is this same lesson aimed at the Pharisees in His audience. I will refer back to this parable when discussing the "Rich Man and Lazarus" parable. So far in our story there has been no mention of confrontation, this is required for us to realize, that on our own we are on a one way road to hell. There is no help for us. Jesus has been talking about the confrontation since Luke chapter 13. We will not seek God, unless we know that we are completely sinful with out God's help. When you realize this, you are on the road to repentance. Unfortunately, it requires more than just knowing you need help, you must do something about it. I have run out of room again so will continue next post.
So far, believers and non-believers would act in this same way. It is here you need to remind yourself that Jesus is speaking on the topic of Repentance or Perish. With this in mind we will start looking at the rest of this parable. Jesus was speaking to both Pharisees and Common folk, during this discourse started in Luke chapter 13. The Parable of the "Rich Man and Lazarus" is this same lesson aimed at the Pharisees in His audience. I will refer back to this parable when discussing the "Rich Man and Lazarus" parable. So far in our story there has been no mention of confrontation, this is required for us to realize, that on our own we are on a one way road to hell. There is no help for us. Jesus has been talking about the confrontation since Luke chapter 13. We will not seek God, unless we know that we are completely sinful with out God's help. When you realize this, you are on the road to repentance. Unfortunately, it requires more than just knowing you need help, you must do something about it. I have run out of room again so will continue next post.
531st Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Clever but Evil Steward Con't. 3rd Post - Luke 16: 1 - 13.
Luke 16: 1- 13 The Clever But Evil Steward Con't. 3rd Post.
This parable was spoken to the common folk (sinners), in Jesus' audience. The common folk are the workers and they have to work in order to receive money needed in order to live. I'm sure most of you reading this post would fall into this category. The steward in this story, did not do his job well enough, and was fired for it. The same can be said of us who work today. References from your previous employer are required in order to obtain work at another place of employment. This also is true of us working today. The steward of our story, knows that he cannot expect a good reference from his master. He tells us he cannot dig, and will not beg for money. With the expectation of the negative reference in mind, he knows he can not expect anyone else to employ him. What to do? The steward believes, that if he calls the master's debtors to him before he is fired, and reduces their debts to the master, he will gain favor with them, and could expect them to receive him into their households after he has left this employment. So far, we understand the parable, and this makes sense to us. I have run out of space for this post, will continue next post.
This parable was spoken to the common folk (sinners), in Jesus' audience. The common folk are the workers and they have to work in order to receive money needed in order to live. I'm sure most of you reading this post would fall into this category. The steward in this story, did not do his job well enough, and was fired for it. The same can be said of us who work today. References from your previous employer are required in order to obtain work at another place of employment. This also is true of us working today. The steward of our story, knows that he cannot expect a good reference from his master. He tells us he cannot dig, and will not beg for money. With the expectation of the negative reference in mind, he knows he can not expect anyone else to employ him. What to do? The steward believes, that if he calls the master's debtors to him before he is fired, and reduces their debts to the master, he will gain favor with them, and could expect them to receive him into their households after he has left this employment. So far, we understand the parable, and this makes sense to us. I have run out of space for this post, will continue next post.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
530th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Clever but Evil Steward Con't. 2nd Post - Luke 16: 1 - 13.
Luke 16: 1 - 13 Continued Second Post. Parable of Clever but Evil Steward.
I am sure you have been waiting for me to start explaining this parable. On the surface, this parable seems not to fit the usual type Jesus told; and you would be right. This parable does not seem to have a positive moral, like the other parables do. It is this fact that makes this parable hard to explain. I have found it difficult, to find commentaries brave enough to talk on this parable. And of the ones I have found, they do not seem to agree on what this parable teaches. I feel I will be right at home, with my explanation because I am sure some will disagree with it. To try to explain this parable, we must start off finding out to whom this parable was spoken to. This is part of the theme started in Luke chapter 13, dealing with Jesus' Discourse dealing with "Repent or Perish." The people Jesus was talking to were both Pharisees and common people, the ones the Pharisees' considered to be sinners. All of the parables in Luke chapter 16, all deal with this subject and was addressed to these same followers. In this Parable the Clever but Evil Steward, Jesus is talking only to the common people of His audience, He will address the Pharisees, later. Continued next post.
I am sure you have been waiting for me to start explaining this parable. On the surface, this parable seems not to fit the usual type Jesus told; and you would be right. This parable does not seem to have a positive moral, like the other parables do. It is this fact that makes this parable hard to explain. I have found it difficult, to find commentaries brave enough to talk on this parable. And of the ones I have found, they do not seem to agree on what this parable teaches. I feel I will be right at home, with my explanation because I am sure some will disagree with it. To try to explain this parable, we must start off finding out to whom this parable was spoken to. This is part of the theme started in Luke chapter 13, dealing with Jesus' Discourse dealing with "Repent or Perish." The people Jesus was talking to were both Pharisees and common people, the ones the Pharisees' considered to be sinners. All of the parables in Luke chapter 16, all deal with this subject and was addressed to these same followers. In this Parable the Clever but Evil Steward, Jesus is talking only to the common people of His audience, He will address the Pharisees, later. Continued next post.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
529th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Clever But Evil Steward - Luke 16: 1 - 13, 1st Post.
Luke 16: 1 - 13; Parable of the Clever But Evil Steward, 1st post.
There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward." Then the steward said within himself, "What can I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses." So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, "How much do you owe my master?" And he said, "A hundred measures of oil." So he said to him, "Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty." Then he said to another, "And how much do you owe?" So he said, "A hundred measures of wheat." And he said to him, "Take your bill, and write eighty." So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
This was spoken by Jesus during the third and last year of His earthly ministry.
There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward." Then the steward said within himself, "What can I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses." So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, "How much do you owe my master?" And he said, "A hundred measures of oil." So he said to him, "Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty." Then he said to another, "And how much do you owe?" So he said, "A hundred measures of wheat." And he said to him, "Take your bill, and write eighty." So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
This was spoken by Jesus during the third and last year of His earthly ministry.
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