1st century Christianity in the 21st century
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Friend at Midnight
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 In Faith, Seek In Hope, Knock With Expectation”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector Prayers
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.
Continue reading “A Vanity-Laden Supplication: The Arrogant Pharisee’s Prayer”– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Unjust Judge
Parables are earthly stories with spiritual meanings. As we study Jesus’ parables, we seek to know what the spiritual application is. In some cases, such as the parable of the sower, the text provides the explanation. In other instances, we may not receive a direct meaning, but the context can guide us. Sometimes, we lack an explanation, and the context also does not clarify the meaning. Such cases call for careful and prayerful meditation.
Continue reading “The Persistent Widow: A Powerful Lesson on Prayer”