There’s a story told about a businessman well known for his ruthlessness who once announced to writer Mark Twain, “Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top.”
“I have a better idea,” replied Twain. “You could stay in Boston and keep them.” Continue reading
Filed under Parables of Jesus, Passage To Ponder
I grew up on a small farm in central Indiana. My Dad worked in the factory and we farmed as a sideline means to feed a few pigs and cows. And sometimes for a cash crop.
Farming sure has changed since the 1950s and ’60s. We used a 2-row corn planter. Today corn planters can range in size from 6 rows to 48 rows. But imagine how farming has changed since Bible times?
In our passage today is another one of Jesus’ agricultural parables. It is often called ”The Parable of the Sower.” But it could be also be called “The Parable of the Soils.” Some commentators have called it “the parable of parables.” In one sense, it’s like four parables. in one. It is one of the few parables that Jesus explains the meaning. Continue reading
Filed under Parables of Jesus, Passage To Ponder
Last night at the Florida College Lectures, Phillip Shumake, presented a lesson from Luke 15, on probably the most famous of Jesus’ parables. Like Phillip and the Dutch artist Rembrandt, whose masterpiece depicted the return of the Prodigal, we also share fascination with this parable.
These parables were precipitated, as Phillip pointed out, by the Pharisees who criticized Jesus and murmured, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” The insinuation and implication is that Jesus associates with sinners because he is one of them. In other words, “birds of a feather flock together.”
In response to their accusations, Jesus told three parables. The lost sheep. The lost coin. And the lost son. Indeed these parable are like “a three act play” that present a unifying theme. All three were lost. And all three were diligently sought. And when they were found rejoicing ensued. Continue reading
Filed under Florida College Lectures, Parables of Jesus, Passage To Ponder
Last night we attended the opening session of the Florida College Lectures. The general theme this year is “Never Has a Man Spoken the Way This Man Speaks.” Specifically, it’s dealing with Jesus’ parables.
Edwin Crozier presented the keynote address entitled “How Will You Understand All the Parables? Subtitled “The Parable of the Sower.”
It was masterfully presented in a way that was thought-provoking, challenging, and stimulating. Continue reading
Filed under Florida College Lectures, Parables of Jesus
Last night at the West Citrus Church, where we’re now members, Tom Quinn taught a wonderful lesson about Jesus’ parable of “The Wheat and the Weeds.” It was interesting. Insightful. Thought-provoking. And supplied fodder for today’s post.
If you’re not familiar with the parable it’s found in Matthew 13:24-30, as one of several parables that begin, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” Later the disciples asked Jesus for its explanation. So, it’s one of the few that we actually have Jesus’ own interpretation (Matt. 13:36-43). Continue reading
Filed under Parables of Jesus
A Texas preacher, David Dykes, claims this is a true story, with the names changed to protect the innocent.
Little Tommy attended first grade Sunday School faithfully. He loved his teacher, Mrs. Smith. She told great Bible stories and would always end the story by saying, “And, boys and girls, the MORAL of the story is …” Little Tommy enjoyed learning about the morals of each Bible story. Continue reading
Filed under Parables of Jesus, Passage To Ponder
When Abraham Lincoln was facing the crisis of a divided nation during the civil war, he was faced with many tough decisions. Often he was second guessed. Criticized. And even mocked.
It’s no wonder he admitted, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day.”
During this current crisis, we may wonder where to go. Literally there’s no place to go. Everyone is told to stay home. At times, the advice of the experts seems contradictory and confusing. We ponder what the future holds. Will life ever be the same again? Continue reading
Filed under Parables of Jesus, Passage To Ponder
Today’s Bible reading contains a parable of Jesus that is puzzling, perplexing and paradoxical.
It’s a story that presents a cast of characters that were all rascals. Yet Jesus uses it to teach a lesson to the righteous.
Take a minute to read Luke 16:1-13. Continue reading
Filed under Parables of Jesus, Stewardship
“You cannot enjoy the things money can buy if you ignore the things money cannot buy.”
We have all seen the above quote reflected in the lives of many people. Some famous. Others ordinary folks. Some wealthy. Others with average means. But none more dramatic in terms of his lifestyle change than the “Prodigal Son” in Jesus’ famous parable recorded in Luke 15. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, Parables of Jesus, Repentance
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