Tag: Jesus

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Finding Value in Humility: Embracing the Lowly Place

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Lowly Place

The Parables of Jesus, 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.

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Lost and Found: A Parable of Hope

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Lost

The Parables of Jesus, 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)

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Think Before You Follow: Reflecting On The Cost Of Commitment

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables about Commitment and the Need to Count the Cost

The Parables of Jesus, 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)

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Empty and Exposed: The Unclean Spirit & the Swept Heart

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Returning Unclean Spirit

The Parables of Jesus, unclean spirit

It is interesting to notice the references to demon possession in the Bible. Search the Old Testament, and there doesn’t seem to be any reference to such happening. In the gospels, demons appear to be a common occurrence, but as we continue in the New Testament, demon activity wanes in the book of Acts, and is non-existent in the epistles.

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A Vanity-Laden Supplication: The Arrogant Pharisee’s Prayer

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Tax Collector and Pharisee’s Prayer

The Parables of Jesus, Pharisee's prayer

It’s important for a speaker to know his audience. Of any speaker, we should expect that Jesus knew how to read an audience, and we see His ability to do so displayed several times in the gospels. To introduce the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Luke reveals that Jesus knew those who were listening to Him, and adapted His teaching to best serve their needs. Luke tells us that Jesus spoke to those whho trusted in their own righteousness and despised others.

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The Powerful Lesson of the Widow’s Persistent Prayer

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Unjust Judge & Widow’s Persistent Prayer

The Parables of Jesus, persistent prayer

Jesus spoke about prayer a lot. Several of His parables address the need to pray as well as the manner of our approach to the Father. In Luke 18, Jesus taught of a widow characterized by her persistent prayer.

The Lord seeks for us to learn from her and make application in our prayers. Luke 18:1 reads,

...He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart... (Luke 18:1).
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Fruitless Faith: Cutting Down The Fig Tree

– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Fig Tree

The Parables of Jesus, the fig tree

Some people told Jesus about a group of Galileans whom Pilate killed. Jesus’ reponse indicated those who brought it up believed they got what they deserved. He said to them:

Do you suppose these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things? I tell you, no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:2-3)

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