1st century Christianity in the 21st century
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
No One Knows the Day or Hour, Second Coming
Several of Jesus’ parables focus on the impending judgment, the time of His second coming, and our need to prepare beforehand. This is the case with our text today, Mark 13:32-37. It reads:
Continue reading “Prepare your Heart for the Second Coming of the Master”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Minas
Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immmediately. (Luke 19:11)
Continue reading “Faith In Action: Living Out Stewardship and Accountability”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Good Shepherd
In John 10:1-10, Jesus identified Himself as the door. In fact, He is the only way to enter the Lord’s sheepfold. He contrasted Himself with the thief and the robber who seek to steal and destroy.
Continue reading “The Good Shepherd and His Great Love for His Flock”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Sheepfold
In John 10, Jesus used an illustration about the sheep in the sheepfold. The illustration is a parable regarding the door, the sheep, and the potential for robbers and thiefs to steal what is not their’s. It reads:
Continue reading “The Truth About Doors, Robbers, and the Sheepfold”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Tree and Its Fruit (Good or Bad)
In Matthew 7:20, Jesus concluded a short parable in the sermon on the mount by saying, “…by their fruit you will know them.” In Matthew 12, our Lord used the same teaching. Notice:
Continue reading “Examine Your Heart: Is Your Treasure Good or Bad?”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Friend at Midnight (Ask Seek Knock)
Often when folks read or reference the “…ask seek knock…” text in the Bible, it is from Matthew 7. There is a parallel text in Luke’s gospel which is preceded by a parable.
Continue reading “Ask Seek Knock: The Value of Persistent Prayer”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Lowly Place
Jesus went to the house of a ruler of the Pharisees to eat on the Sabbath in Luke 14.. Typically a dinner invitation infers an amicable relationship, but this was not the case here. The latter part of verse 1 tells us that the Pharisees “…watched Him closely.” It seems they had also invited a man with dropsy, though it is doubtful he was there to participate in the dinner. They wanted to see what Jesus would do. Would He heal this infirmed man on the Sabbath or not? He did, and He also taught them about humility.
Continue reading “Finding Value in Humility: Embracing the Lowly Place”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day confronted Him several times. Luke 10 records a question given by a lawyer who tested Him.
Teacher, what shall I do to inherit
eternal life? (Luke 10:25)
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Lost
The scribes and Pharisees complained against Jesus, because He would receive those whom they deemed to be base persons of society. When this accussation was levied against Him in Luke 5, Jesus answered:
Those who are well have no need of
a physician, but those who are sick. I
have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:31-32)
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables about Commitment and the Need to Count the Cost
Luke records,
Now great multitudes went with Him.
And He turned and said to them, ‘If
anyone comes to Me and does not
hate his father and mother, wife and
children, brothers and sisters, yes
and his own life also, he cannot be
My disciple. (Luke 14:25-27)
