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??  

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??      

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.   

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.  

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!

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.  

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.   

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.   

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
 

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.   

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.

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!  

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.        

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.

 

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.    

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.    

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.   

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.