Are you troubled and cast down in your mind and spirit? Has the darkness and gloom of this present world around us engulfed you in its hopelessness? Is the turmoil of society troubling you? Are you cast down because you are going through a time of personal difficulty like feeling rejected by one that was […]
In the light of Scripture, Perhaps taking root in rabbinic literature, leaven is often viewed as being symbolic of corruption and evil. There are Scriptures that appear to support this such as Matthew 16:6, 12 where it refers to erroneous teaching and legalism, and 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 where it represents fleshly corruption, and Galatians 5:9 […]
In Luke 12:42-48 Jesus continues teaching on the theme of constantly being prepared for His return, and meanwhile being active in His service through the parable of the wise, faithful steward whose master had given him the mandate to manage and administer his household business during his absence. At first glance we may say this […]
Our focus of attention in Mark13:32-40 is drawn once again to being watchful and prepared for the return of Jesus. Since several parables focus in this area it underlines the importance of the message. Here Jesus speaks about a man going abroad who committed his business affairs into the hands of his servants during his […]
In Luke 19:11-27 we understand the people “thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately”, a false assumption that looked for an earthly kingdom overlooking the fact that a spiritual kingdom had to be established first. Jesus being in the vicinity of Jerusalem, Israel’s capitol, was apparently fueling the false expectation among the people that […]
The necessity of forgiveness (Parables of Jesus part thirty five) The parable of an unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35 comes to us on the heels of Jesus teaching about Christian relationships when one has wronged another. Peter probably thinking that he was being very generous asks if he should forgive the offender as many as seven […]
We say that salvation is free, and so it is, for “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23. However there is a cost of following Jesus, or discipleship, of which He lays out the facts in Luke 14:25-33. First, to hate one’s life and family does not mean […]
For today’s lesson Jesus turns to the type of agriculture called viticulture, in Luke 20 9-16. The farmer set out what seems to be a perfect vineyard, and then when going to a distant country for an extended time placed it in the care of others with the apparent understanding that he would receive a […]
Once again Jesus draws from agriculture to teach kingdom truth, Luke 8:4-15. The picture is that of a farmer sowing seed in his field apparently the old fashioned way scattering it by hand. The seed is the word of God so it is very good seed of which God says it “shall not return […]
In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus talks about the time when all nations will stand before Him to be judged using the illustration of a shepherd separating sheep and goats into separate flocks. Sheep and goats have very different demeanors; the message however that Jesus is driving across is not about sheep and goats, it is about […]