528th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Fig Tree Con't. - Luke 13: 6 - 9 Con't. - 3rd Post.

Luke 13: 6 -9 Continued Parable of the Fig Tree third post.
Look how serious the situation is here,  in this parable.  God the Father, the owner of the vineyard, wants to have the vinedresser, Jesus to cut down the fig tree because it was not bearing fruit and wasting good soil.  Cutting down a fruit bearing tree is against the Word of God!  The Fig Tree represents Israel, God's chosen people!  The Father is through with Israel and their unbelief and wants to cast them out.  Jesus being the Messiah, the Redeemer; then is called upon to destroy God's chosen!  Think about that, and how much more would God the Father be through with us, because we are not His chosen, and our unbelief is just as bad.  Look how the vinedresser, handles the situation.  He asks the owner to give the Fig Tree more time, and the Messiah, will personally take time to dig around it, fertilize it, and make sure it has all it needs to be fruitful.  After one year if the Fig Tree does not bear, the vinedresser will cut it down.  Jesus is truly our Intercessor, Redeemer, and Savior.   Jesus truly came to save the whole world, all we have to do is believe and follow His Words.

527th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Fig Tree Con't. 2nd Post - Luke 13: 6 - 9.

Luke 13: 6 - 9; 2nd Post, Parable of the Fig Tree continued.
Trees that bear fruit were considered to be very valuable in Israel.  Even the ones that did not produce up to projected yield, were not to be cut down because they were protected by the hand of God (Deut. 20: 19 - 20) .  After three years, it would be expected for a fruit bearing tree to provide fruit in Israel.  The owner of the fruit tree had a right to be upset with the fact that this fig tree had not yet provided any fruit.  The owner of the vineyard was within his rights to ask the keeper of the vineyard to cut the tree down because it was wasting the nutrients of the soil, and taking up space where it was planted.  Now at this point, you need to remember why Jesus chose this time to tell this parable.  Jesus was preaching on the subject of "Repent or Perish", Luke chapter 13.  Now we need to start revealing who the different, parts of this parable are.  The vineyard in this parable represents the Kingdom of God, the fig tree represents Israel, the vinedresser is the Messiah (Jesus Christ).  These are the cast of characters, now we will try to explain the role and significance in this parable.  I have run out of space again, will continue next post.   

526th Post Jesus SaidConcerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Fig Tree 1st Post - Luke 13: 6 - 9.

Luke 13: 6 - 9; Parable of the Fig Tree, First post.
A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, "Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none.  Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?"  But he answered and said to him, "Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well.  But if not, after that you can cut it down."
This was spoken by Jesus 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry.  Jesus told this parable while teaching in the northern part of Israel around the Sea of Galilee.  There were some in this crowd that told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  The question was raised concerning sin and judgment, it is in this context that Jesus tells the Parable of the Fig Tree.  At the time of Jesus it was not unusual for an owner of a vineyard to plant a palm, or fig tree, in their vineyard.  A palm tree and fig tree were prized and would not be cut down even if they failed to bear fruit.  Will continue this next post.

525th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Good and Bad Stewards Con't. - Matthew 25: 14 - 30 4th Post.

Matthew 25: 14 - 30; Luke 19: 12 - 27; 4th Post.
The one steward who received only one talent, buried it and when the Lord came back, dug it up and gave it to him.  The Lord rebuked this servant severely and said "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  So you ought to have deposited my money with bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.  For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  It is interesting how the Lord deals with this servant.  He rebukes him and then strips him of all he has and then throws him into outer darkness.  This servant did not increase the talent, neither did he lose it.  He delivered it back to the Lord exactly how it was given him.  The lesson here is you have a choice either further the Kingdom of God, or not and lose your salvation in the process. 

524th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of Good and Bad Stewards Con't. - Matthew 25: 14 - 30, 3rd post.

Matthew 25: 14 - 30; Luke 19: 12 - 27; Parable of Good and Bad Stewards Continued 3rd post.
When Jesus talks about the steward who returned only the talent he was given, provides the basis to see something further in this parable.  The steward who received one talent said, "I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed."  How can you reap where you have not sowed, and gathered where you have not scattered seed?  The only way this could happen, is if you continue to receive through the efforts of others.  The stewards in this parable, are Jesus' followers, and as such we are supposed to be increasing the Kingdom of God.  This means by increasing converts, but also in increasing our knowledge and understanding of Christ.  This is accomplished by spending time not only reading, but trying to deepen your understanding of the Bible; and by spending time in fellowship with Jesus, through prayer and meditation.  We call ourselves "Christians", but do you really understand what that term means?  When you call yourself a "Christian", you are telling others you are trying to be Christ-like.  We should remember this always, and try to live up to the title.  We will continue next post.    

523rd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of Good and Bad Stewards Con't. Matthew 25: 14 - 30. 2nd Post.

Matthew 25: 14 - 30; Luke 19: 12 - 27. Parable Good and Bad Stewards Continued 2nd post.
Looking at where in Matthew this parable is found, you would think this parable deals with "End Times", and you would be right; so why was it not included in the section we just looked at that dealt with end times?  There is more to this parable than just handing out some goods, going on a long trip, and returning and handing out rewards and punishment.  As was stated in my comments introducing this section, this parable is quite complex.  We will break the parable down into sections, and look at those in more detail in up coming posts.  The parable opens with a man going on a long journey, and before leaving distributes his goods to his servants to take care of until his return.  Jesus is the man in this story, heaven is the destination of his journey, and He will return and ask his servants to return his goods.  Jesus has asked His servants to continue His work, in His absence.  The first servant received five talents, and by the time the Lord returned, he had added five more talents to the total.  The servant who received two, also was able to increase the amount of his talents also.
I will continue next post.  

522nd Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Good And Bad Stewards 1st Post - Matthew 25: 14 - 30.

Matthew 25: 14 - 30; Luke 19: 12 - 27.  The Parable of the Good and Bad Stewards, 1st  Post.
For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on his journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.  And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.  But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.  After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.  So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying "Lord, you delivered five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them."  His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your lord."  He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them."  His lord said to him,  "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your lord."  Then he who had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground.  Look, there you have what is yours."  But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.  For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
This was spoken by Jesus during His Last Week of Ministry before He was to be crucified.     

521st Post Jesus Said in Parables Con't. - Parbles on Stewarship - New Section My Comments.

Parables on Stewardship New Section My Comments.
Jesus used parables to explain truths about the Kingdom of Heaven.  Most of His parables dealt with agriculture; this was because most of His followers still lived off the land, and would understand these stories.  Stewardship, deals with more than just harvesting crops.  Stewardship title covers the care of the land and the crops before and after they have been harvested to go to market, or to our barns.  Jesus used the phrase "the fields are ripe for harvest, but the workers are few."  Harvesting the crops, and harvesting converts is just part of what a Steward does.  It is our hope that you will also have a better understanding of all the the word Stewardship entails.  The Steward, is responsible for everything that is involved with crops.  That means, buying the right seed, the best quality of seed you could.  Making sure the land is prepared before the seed is sown; watering and fertilizing the crops, and weeding, keeping the crop safe from anything that will try to kill the crop.  Harvesting the crop at its peak of ripeness, to insure the best price at the market, Storing the crop until it is needed in a safe place.  Keep spoilage to a minimum.  Failure in any one of these areas, could be the difference between profit and loss.  Keep these things in mind as we look at Jesus' Parables concerning Stewardship.

520th Post Jesus Said In Parables Con't. - Parable of the Foolish Rich Man Con't. - Luke 12: 16 - 21 Con't. 3rd Post.

Luke 12: 16 - 21; Parable of Foolish Rich Man Con't. 3rd Post.
Luke chapter 12 has Jesus warning the people of the Leaven of the Pharisees.  In the Bible, most times the word leaven is used is in a negative connotation.  This is no exception; to understand this parable, you need to try to understand why Jesus considered the teachings and actions of the Pharisees to be leaven, negative lessons to find the Kingdom of God.  Lets look at the Foolish Rich Man, for a minute.  The man looks to be very greedy and doesn't share his good fortune with the less fortunate.  The Pharisees, made their wealth obvious, and they always demanded the best seat at any function.  They looked down their noses on the less fortunate.  Notice that the Foolish Rich Man never once thought about sharing his crops with others, but built larger barns to hold his wealth.  The Parable ends with God demanding this man's soul that night, and though the man was rich in earthly wealth, Spiritually, he was sadly lacking.  You can live this way like the Rich Man, but will find yourself sadly lacking when you try to enter heaven.  You will be in or out of Heaven, a lot longer than you were on this earth.  There is still time to make a change, if you need to.

519th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Foolish Rich Man Con't. - Luke 12: 16 - 21 Con't. - 2nd Post.

Luke 12: 16 -21; Foolish Rich Man continued, 2nd post.
We closed last post telling you to remember to look at the context the parable was written, in order to help understand it.  Luke Chapter 12 deals with the Leaven of the Pharisees.  Why would Jesus be telling His follower's to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.  Who are these Pharisees?  This group dressed in fine clothes and were the religious teachers, and as such, they occupied the important places in the community.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the religious teachers of that time.  On the surface it would seem Jesus and the Pharisees would be on the same side, both trying to teach the ways of God.  Here in lies the problem.  The Pharisees and Sadducees had been teaching God according to their own understanding and not God's.  Proverbs 3: 5 - 7.  Now you should be able to understand why Jesus and the Pharisees are on different sides.  Jesus was teaching God's Word through God's understanding, and the Pharisees, Sadducees were teaching God's Word through man's understanding.  This is why they were on different sides.  I still have to explain the parable it will start next post.  

518th Post Jesus Said in Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Foolish Rich Man - Luke 12:16 - 21- 1st Post.

Luke 12: 16 - 21; Parable of the Foolish Rich Man, 1st post.
The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.  And he thought within himself, saying, "What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?"  So he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.' "  But God said to him, "Fool!"  This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?"  So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry.  Looking at this parable in the context of the last few parables we looked at, would make you think this parable had to do with end times because the Foolish Rich's Man's life was going to be required that night.  Is this the real reason Jesus told this parable?  The answer is no.  One of the basic keys to understanding the parables, is to look at the context of where and when the parable was spoken to and to whom.  We will look into this further, next post.

517th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parable Con't. - Parable of the Ten Virgins Con't. - Matthew 25: 1- 13, Con't. - 6th Post.

Matthew 25: 1 - 13 Continued Parable of Ten Virgins 6th Post.
It is interesting the language Jesus used to tell the five foolish virgins they would not gain access inside.  Jesus said "I do not know you."  This phrase can be troublesome.  Does this mean "I never knew you?"  Or "I don't know you now?"  We won't know which is correct, until Jesus Comes, and we will all know the right answer.  The message I believe is very clear.  If we want to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, we must stay active in our pursuit of Jesus Christ, and His teachings.  We must be like the runner the Apostle Paul, talks about, we must finish the race completely, to win the prize.  We can not start strong, and then fade away.  I believe this is the warning Jesus was trying to make us understand in His various parables.  Jesus tells us today, the same message that He told His listener's;  "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."  Are you actively watching and waiting for Christ's Return??  You should be!!     

516th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Ten Virgins Con't. - Matthew 25: 1 - 13, Con't. 5th Post.

Matthew 25: 1 - 13, continued 5th post. The Ten Virgins.
When we decide to follow Christ, we are like the ten virgins.  It is up to us, which type of virgin will we be.  Will we be found actively standing at our post with all of our materials at our fingertips ready for work at a moments notice.  Or will we be like the five foolish virgins, that made a commitment a while ago, and have stopped working and growing along the way, so when the time for action comes we are found to be unprepared and have to go and get our materials and return ready for action, but find the door locked, with us outside?  The wedding feast in this story is how Jesus told His listeners His Second Coming would be like.  We are to wait to enter until He arrives and then proceed inside with Him at our side.  It is interesting to note, what Jesus says to these foolish virgins when they finally are ready to enter and find the door closed.  They call out to the people in the inside to open the door, but get this reply instead, "Assuredly I say to you, I don't know you."
Jesus was saying that once He has entered and the door closed, no one else can enter.  I have run out of room again will continue next post.  

515th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of the Ten Virgins Con't. - Matthew 25: 1 - 13 Con't. 4th Post.

Matthew 25: 1 - 13 Con't; The Ten Virgins con't. - 4th Post.
Jesus said that the wise and the foolish virgins both groups slept, waiting for the bridegroom to come.  Jesus tells us that we should be about advancing the Kingdom when the Lord returns.  What does this mean?  We are to be about the business of teaching others about Jesus Christ.  The wise virgins took extra provisions with them in anticipation of an unexpected delay.  To understand this, you need to look at how weddings were handled in the ancient world.  This was before rapid transit, and the long distances had to be traveled on foot or on some sort of animal.  Covering the distance was hard and could be dangerous.  This made estimating time of arrival very difficult, especially if you were traveling in a large group, that these marriage entourage's could be quite large.  The job of these virgins was to escort the bridegroom into the wedding whenever he would arrive.  This was a job of hurry up and wait.  They had to arrive before the bridegroom, but could not enter themselves until the bridegroom was there to accompany them.  

514th Post Jesus Said in Parables Con't. - Parable of the Ten Virgins Con't. - Matthew 25: 1 - 13 Con't. - 3rd Post.

Matthew 25: 1 - 13; continued  The Parable of the Ten Virgins.   3rd post
Jesus prophesied about the total destruction of the Temple, and that this generation would not pass away until all was fulfilled.  I believe this is where the disconnect between what Jesus Said, and what the disciples and the early Church understood takes place.  No where did Jesus say the destruction of the Temple and His Second Coming would come at the same time.  When you read Acts and further in the New Testament, the timing of the Second Coming is preached as being close at hand.  Is this really what Jesus taught?  If this is so, Jesus is a false teacher.  It has been over 2,000 years since Jesus spoke these words, and He has not come yet.  Please understand I am not saying Jesus is not coming.  I am only trying to point out, that the disciples misunderstood what Jesus Said, and we can make the same mistakes if we don't pay closer attention to what Jesus says, and what He did not say.  In this parable the bridegroom was delayed, it would be longer than what the people expected before the bridegroom would come.  I believe remembering this fact will help you interpret this parable correctly.  Continued next post.

513th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Ten Virgins Con't. - Matthew 25: 1 - 13; Con't 2nd Post

Matthew 25: 1 - 13; Parable Ten Virgins Con't. - 2nd Post.
Jesus told this parable to give us an idea what will happen in the Kingdom of Heaven.  This parable has many different parts, and could mean more than one thing.  We will try to address all of these parts and their meanings correctly.   The ten virgins represent believer's and how they react to Jesus' messages.  The  5 wise virgins are the ones who listened to all Jesus said and taught and took it to heart.  The 5 foolish virgins were the ones who heard all that Jesus said and taught and did not put into practice.  Are the foolish virgins, foolish only because they did not foresee the need for additional oil?  Or is this only one part of their foolishness.  Why did Jesus wait until this point of His Ministry to tell this parable and include it with His statements concerning End Times.  All of these things fit together, but not necessarily the way the disciples and the early Church interpreted them.  the succession of this parable and the succession of His talk to the disciples, need to be looked at together in order to unlock the true meaning of this parable.  I have run out of room for this post, so will continue next post.    

512th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Ten Virgins - Matthew 25: 1 - 13 - 1st Post.

Matthew 25: 1 - 13.  The Ten Virgins 1st Post.
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight a cry was heard: "Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!"  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out."  But the wise answered, saying, "No, lest there should not be enough for us and for you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves."  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.  Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us!"  But he answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you."  Watch therefore, for you neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
This was spoken by Jesus during the last week of His life before the crucifixion, this is part of the Olivet Discourse.  Explanation continued next post.     

511th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders - Matthew 7: 24 - 27.

Matthew 7: 24 - 27; Luke 6: 47 - 49. Wise and Foolish Builders, 1st post.
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell.  And great was its fall.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry, and is included in His Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus was telling the people that there was more to serving God, then just going to the Temple and offering Sacrifices.  They were to listen to the Word of God that was preached to them, and then go out and do what the Word of God taught. By doing so, they were living the Word of God.  This was God's plan from the beginning.  This was part of the teaching of Moses, but the people did not continue to hear and do God's Word.  This is a trap, we can fall into today as well.  We need to be not hearer's only, but doers as well.  

510th Post Jesus Parables Con't. Parable of the Marriage Guest Ejected Con't. - Matthew 22: 2 - 14- 4th Post.

Matthew 22: 2 - 14; 4th Post.  Why did Jesus Tell This Parable.
Jesus told this parable during the last week of His ministry, to explain the Kingdom of God, and His role in it.  The first invitees to the wedding feast, are the Jews, who were offered the Kingdom of God, and rejected it.  Sending the servants over and over to invite the guest to the wedding, represents God's prophets, and God's long suffering in trying to get them to be interested in it.  This also shows God's mercy, in not reacting to the anger their attitude and behavior caused Him.  The city that was burned and the inhabitants killed, represents Jerusalem, who has a long history of killing God's Prophets.  The king sending out the servants to the highways to look for new guests, represents the believer's of the New Testament, who believe if Jesus, God the Father and The Holy Spirit.  The Marriage Guest represents all who enter heaven, must be first counted as believer's as a group, and then individually, by the life they lived.  It takes more than good living, to get you into the Kingdom of God.  You must also believe the Jesus is the Son of God, and that He rose to save you from your sin.

509th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - The Parable of the Marriage Guest Ejected Con't. - Matthew 22: 2 - 14 - 3rd Post.

Matthew 22: 2 - 14 Parable of Marriage Guest Ejected Con't. - 3rd Post.
I ran out of space in the last post before I could talk about the Marriage Guest Ejected.  Jesus already said that the servants had invited both good and bad people found on the highway to the feast.  Why then, would Jesus talk about a guest without the proper garment.  This is quite interesting, because the reason for this parable was to explain something about the Kingdom of Heaven.  Judgment is shown all throughout this parable.  The armies handed out judgment on the ones who killed the king's servants.  Judgment was handed out again, when new guests were invited to replace the original guests.  The final judgment will be made twice, once as a group, as shown in the first judgments handed out, and another judgment made when we are considered individually.  The marriage guest survived the first judgment, but failed to pass the second judgment based on his own merits.  To be counted as acceptable, you must believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior, and you must live your life by keeping all of His Commands.  This study has been an attempt to educate, and show you what is required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

508th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Marriage Guest Ejected Con't. - Matthew 22: 2 - 14 - 2nd Post.

Matthew 22: 2 - 14; Parable of Marriage Guest Ejected - 2nd Post.
This parable is not the same as the account in Luke, there are a lot of similarities, but there are things mentioned in this account that are absent from the Luke account. First, Jesus starts this account in Matthew by saying the "Kingdom of Heaven is like..." Jesus was telling the listeners about what heaven will be like. The symbolism between the king arranging a marriage feast for his son and God, should be unmistakeable. The religious leaders did not understand the symbolism concerning the ones that were invited but were unwilling to come to the feast. The king sent out his servants again to try to get the invited guests to reconsider, and come to the feast. This was to show God's long suffering, and slowness to anger. The invited guests again made light of the invitation and continued on their way; one to his farm another to business. The rest seized the servants and treated them spitefully, and killed them. When the king heard about this he sent out his armies and destroyed the murderers and burned their city. Then the king told his servants to go out to the highways and gather all they could find to the wedding feast. They were to invite all they saw, regardless of their social standing, and whether they were good or bad, until the hall was filled with guests. I am running out of space and have yet to discuss the marriage guest that is ejected. Will discuss that on next post.

507th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Marriage Guest Ejected - Matthew 22: 2 - 14 - 1st Post.

Matthew 22: 2 - 14 - First post.
The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.  Again, he sent out other servants saying, "Tell those who are invited, 'See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready.  Come to the wedding.'"  But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.  And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.  But when the king heard about it, he was furious.  And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.  Then he said to his servants, "The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.  Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding."  So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good.  And the wedding hall was filled with guests.  But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.  So he said to him, "Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?"  and he was speechless.  Then the king said to his servants, "Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  For many are called, but few are chosen.
This was spoken by Jesus during His last week before He was to be crucified. Continued next post.   

506th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Wicked Tenants Con't - Matthew 21: 33 - 40, 3rd Post.

Matthew 21: 33 - 40; Mark 12: 1 - 11; Luke 20: 9 - 18; Continued 3rd Post.
The Landowner feeling that the vinedressers would respect His Son as heir, and give to Him what was owed, sent His Son to collect the debt.  The vinedressers when they saw the Son, said lets kill Him and seize his inheritance.  They killed the Son and took possession of the vineyard.  The leaders forsook their God and leader of their Country by doing this.  Jesus asks, "When the owner comes what will He do to these vinedressers?"  Jesus did not answer that.  If this story had happened in real life, the owner of the vineyard would come with sufficient power to overthrow the vinedressers and set up a new group of vinedressers that would not forget whose land it was and what the terms of the agreement were.  God will do the same thing.  Israel will be overthrown, the wicked leaders done away with, and new leaders put in those positions that will never forget Whose Vineyard it is, and Who it is they owe tribute to.  God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!  Praise God!

505th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Wicked Tenants - Con't. Matthew 23: 33 - 40.

Matthew 23: 33 - 40; Mark 12: 1 - 11; Luke 20: 9 - 18; 2nd Post.
To understand this parable, you need to understand, this was spoken by Jesus right after His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.  Jesus' popularity with the religious leaders was at an all time low.  They wanted to kill Jesus, but were not sure how to go about it.  The better you know the history of Israel, the better you will understand what Jesus was saying.  The vineyard represents Israel.  The landowner is God.  The vinedressers are the people in charge of Israel, both political and religious leaders.  The servants sent to collect what was owed, is represented by the prophets.  The son of the landowner is Jesus Christ the Messiah.  The number of servants sent, and the lack of retaliation on behalf of the landowner shows the mercy of the landowner and His reluctance to punish the vinedressers.  The vinedressers saw this mercy as an act of weakness.  I am running out of room again and will continue next post.       

504th Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Wicked Tenants - Matthew 21: 33 - 40.

Matthew 21: 33 - 40; Mark 12: 1 - 11; Luke 20: 9 - 18. Parable - His Rejection.
There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son." But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, "This is the heir. Come let us kill him and seize his inheritance." So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?
This was spoken by Jesus right after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  I have run out of space again, so explanation to follow next post. 

503rd Post Jesus Parables Con't. - Parable of the Sower Con't. - What was happening when Jesus Spoke this Parable.

Matthew 13: 3 - 9; Mark 4: 3 - 9; Luke 8: 5 - 8. Third post.
The crowds of people were growing to hear Jesus as his fame spread throughout the region.  Jesus got into a boat, to better address the crowd that was closing in on Him.  Jesus started speaking to the crowd in parables.  The Messiah was prophesied to speak in parables. The definition of the word parable from Webster's 1828 edition is as follows: A fable or allegorical relation or representation of something real in life or nature, from which a moral is drawn for instruction. Jesus explained the seed, the soil, and some of the pitfalls we face when listening to the Word of God.  Jesus did not explain why the good soil bears 100, 60 and 30 fold.  Jesus was telling the people what their responsibility was when hearing the Word of God.  In the Old Testament, the Temple provided a way to pay for sins, but not much in the way of living your life to avoid sin.  Jesus provided a model for us to try to be like, in the way He lived.  Jesus also made it plain that we are to do more than be just hearer's of the Word, we are to be doer's as well.  The people listening to the Word of God, have to now know the condition of their soil.  By Soil, Jesus was meaning we are to pay attention to the condition of our soil, or heart.  With this in mind look at the conditions of yield the good soil is to produce; 100, 60 and 30 fold. You are responsible for the condition of your soil.