Parables of Jesus - Lesson 12

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 12 

·         Background

o   Today’s Parable can be found in the Gospel of Luke.   This parable was told before Jesus made his way to Jerusalem and this parable was taught after the Parables of the ‘Prodigal Son’ and the ‘Shrewd Manager’.   Jesus was directing this parable to the Pharisees.

o   The Lazarus in this parable should not be confused with the Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead.

o   This is the only place in the bible where we hear of someone’s actual thoughts, emotions, and words while being in hell.   

o   As a reminder with all the judgment parables, we need to focus on the spiritual condition of a person, not the earthly condition.  There will be both rich and poor people who will be in heaven as well as rich and poor people in hell.

·         Parable of Judgment.

o   The Rich Man and Lazarus. (Luke 16: 19 - 31)

§  The Pharisees considered wealth to be a proof of a person’s righteousness and they also considered the poor were cursed by God.   Jesus startled the Pharisees with this story of a diseased beggar being rewarded and the rich man punished.   The rich man did not go to Hell (Hades) because of his wealth but because he was selfish and he neglected to feed Lazarus, take him in, or care for him.   The rich man was blessed with much but he did not share with the needy when he saw them.   The amount of money we have is not important as to how we use our money.

§  The rich man thought that his 5 brothers would surely believe a messenger who had been raised from the dead.  Jesus said that if the 5 brothers did not believe Moses or the prophets who spoke about caring for the poor that not even a resurrection of the dead would convince them.   Notice the irony of this statement as Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to die.  Jesus was fully aware that even when he would be raised from the dead, most religious leaders of Israel would not accept him as the Messiah.

§  Purple was a costly dye during biblical times and it was often worn by kings, nobles, and even idol images.   It was found in a rare shellfish which would yield one drop per shellfish.  Fine linen was also made of flax and was a dazzling white color nnd worth twice its weight in gold.   The rich man was surrounded by loyal brethren and servants while Lazarus is a companion of the dogs.

§  Hades (Greek) or Sheol (Hebrew) was the name given to the adobe of the dead between death in the Old Testament and the Resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament.   The expression ‘Abraham’s Bossom’ is taken from the custom of reclining on couches at  a feast as we learned earlier.   As a guest leaned upon his left arm his neighbor might easily lean upon his bossom.   Such a position of respect to the Master of the House was one of special honor and indicated great intimacy

§  Physical Death is a certainty.

·         After physical death individuals continue to exist in a state of personal consciousness.  After Jesus’s return we will be reunited with a new body.   (Revelation 6: 9 -10)

·         After physical death an individual’s destiny is sealed (Verse 25 and 26 from the parable) (Revelation 20: 11 – 15)

·         Abraham’s Bossom was a place for the saved that was reserved until the time of their resurrection unto life.   This place was also referred to as Paradise (Luke 23: 39 -43).  Originally it was thought to be a partitioned section of Hades, but was moved to heaven after Christ’s resurrection.  The Apostle Paul speaks of being ‘caught up into Paradise’.   (II Corinthians 12: 1 - 4)

§  There will be no crossing between Hell and Heaven according to this parable.

§  Related readings

·         Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18, Ezekiel 16:49, Luke 6:21-25, John 5:45-47, Acts 15:21

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   What is our attitude toward our money and possessions?  Do we hoard them selfishly or do we use them to help others?  We are stewards of everything that God has created and he has entrusted them to us.

o   What do you imagine heaven and hell will be like?  What do your friends and family think?  Do you believe hell is real?  2 excellent books to read are ‘Heaven is for Real’ and ’23 Minutes in Hell’

o   What things do we consider to have eternal value?  How can we focus on them instead of earthly riches?

o   What we often assume about Heaven   What the Bible says

§  Non-Earth                                           Earth

§  Unfamilar, Another World           Familiar, Earthly

§  Disembodied                                     Resurrected (Embodied)

§  Foreign                                                 Home

§  Leave things behind                       Retaining the Good, finding the best ahead

§  No time and space                          Time and space

§  Static                                                     Dynamic

§  Neither Old or New                        Both New and Old

§  Nothing to do                                    Serve and worship God

§  No learning or discovery               An eternity of learning and discovery

§  Boring                                                   Fascination

§  Loss of desire                                    Continuous fulfillment of desire

§  Absence of the terrible                 Presence of the wonderful

o   Notice how the rich man tried to reach out in prayer to late in his life, after his death, where he was destined to eternal life in hell.  If God has chosen us and reached out to us by offering his gift of grace through salvation, have we or our loved ones accepted that offer of grace?

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 11

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 11 

·         Background

§  Both Parables continue our study about Judgment and both Parables can be found in the Gospel of Matthew.

§  Jesus had just taught on the Mount of Olives after arriving in Jerusalem, which would lead to his eventual death on the cross.   Jesus tells his followers about his future and his return.  Jesus also tells his followers about remaining watchful for the end of times as well.

·         Parables of Judgment

§  Unprofitable Servants   (Matthew 25: 14 – 30)   

§  The Master divided the money/talents to his servants based according to the servant’s abilities.  They did not receive more or less than what they could handle based upon there Master’s knowledge.   If the servant failed he could not blame it on the fact that he was overwhelmed, but that he was either lazy or he hated his master.   The talents in this parable represent any resources that God has gifted us with.   God gives us time, gifts, and resources according to our abilities and God does expect us to invest and use them wisely until he returns.   We are responsible for what God has given us.   The issue is not how much we have but how well we use what we have.

§  Jesus is coming back, which we know is true and mentioned in the bible.  Knowing this, we are to use our time, talents, and treasures diligently to serve God in whatever we do.   For a few people this might be a change in profession, but for most of us it involves doing our daily work out of love for our God.

§  The last man was only thinking of himself by hoping to play it safe with his master’s money to protect himself from his master, who he recognized as hard and shrewd.   The master judged this man based upon his self-centeredness.   Likewise we must not make excuses to avoid what God is calling us to do.   God is our master and we must obey him accordingly.   Our time, abilities, and money are not ours but are instead gifts from God.

§  This parable shows the consequences of two types of attitudes toward Jesus’s return.   The person who diligently prepares by investing their talents and time to serve God will be rewarded.   The person who has no heart for the work of God’s kingdom will be punished.   God does reward faithfulness.   Those who bear no fruit for God cannot expect the same rewards as those who are faithful.

§  Additional readings

·         Matthew 24:42-47, Mark 13:35-37, Luke 12:40, Luke 16:8-13.

§  Unprofitable Goats.   (Matthew 25: 31 - 46)

§  Jesus used the sheep and goats to picture the division between believes and no-believers.  Sheep and goats often grazed together during biblical times but they would be separated when it came time to have the sheep sheered.   (Ezekiel 34:17-24)

§  This parable describes acts of mercy that we all can do every day.   These acts do not depend upon wealth, ability, or intelligence.   They are but simple acts given freely and freely accepted.   We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs and we cannot hand this responsibility to the church or government.   The church and government does have a role to play, but when the opportunity comes to us, we need to help.  Jesus demands our personal involvement in caring for other’s needs (Isaiah 58:7).

§  Just in the parable of the “Good Samaritan” where the question is asked “Who is my neighbor”, the point of the parable is not who but what, the importance of serving where service is needed.   This parable is about loving every person and serving anyone we can.   Such love for others glorifies God by reflecting our love for God.

§  As in last week, eternal life and eternal punishment are absolute.  When Jesus warns us about unbelief he is trying to save us from agonizing punishment.   When Jesus repeats himself several times on a topic he wants our attention and to listen as it is something that is very important.

§  Additional Readings.

·         Matthew 10:40-42, Matthew 12:46-50, Matthew 7:13, Matthew 16:27, Malachi 3:18, Revelation 13:8, Job 31:29-32, Isaiah 58:7, Hebrews 13:2, James 2:26, Proverbs 19:17

·         Questions to Ponder/Lessons for Life.

§  We know that God blesses us and he offers us grace.  Once we accept God’s grace do we live our lives to glorify God’s name?   God created us to glorify his name.

§  What are your best traits or attributes?

§  Is it important to God on how much talent you have?   (2 Corinthians 8:10-12)

§  Where are you able to invest your talents and what people can benefit from your talents?

§  Did you notice the Master’s comments to the 2 faithful servants, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful with few things, I will put you in charge of many things”.

§  We never know when our time will be up and we know that eternity is real (2 Peter 3:18). 

§  What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’s word to us – feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay, and look after the sick.  Where do our actions fit in this?

§  The Judgement parables that we have discussed, especially the ‘Sheep and Goats” may sound as Jesus is saying that he is going to judge us based upon our works or on our deeds.   We need to be mindful that we are surely saved by faith, not by our works (James 2:14-18).   Good works aren’t the reason we are saved, but instead they are our fruits and evidence that we are saved.

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 10

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 10 

·         Background

o   Both Parables are about Judgment and both Parables can be found in the Gospel of Matthew.

o   The first parable is before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem and the second parable is after he has arrived.

o   Before these parables were given, we see the transfiguration of Jesus to Peter, James, and John.  Jesus had also healed a demon possessed man and he also predicts his death a second time.

·         Parables of Judgment

o   A Wretched Man’s Wretched Ending.   (Matthew 18:21-35    

§  In this Parable we find Jesus answering Peter’s question on how many times we must forgive our brother.   The Jewish rabbis taught that people should forgive others only 3 times if they were offended by someone.   Peter was thinking he was being generous by asking if 7 was enough (“7” is considered the perfect or complete number in the bible).  Jesus responds with 490 times (70 times 7), meaning we should not keep track of how many times we should forgive someone. 

§  During biblical times, serious consequences awaited those who could not pay their debts.   The lender could seize the borrower and his family and require them to work in order to pay off the debt.  The debtor could also be thrown into jail with the hope that his family would sell his possessions in order to pay off the debt, otherwise he would remain in prison for life.  The debtor’s family could also be sold off as slaves.

§  Ten thousand talents is equivalent to millions of dollars in modern time.    It was an amount the debtor could not pay back as the revenue in Galilee for a year’s wages was around 300 talents.

·         We cannot pay for our sins.

·         God is the King – all his servants owe a debt that cannot be paid

·         We should not be bitter or unloving toward others.

·         Love keeps no record of wrong.   (I Corinthians 13:4-6)

§  This parable teaches us that we should not hold back forgiveness of others because God does forgive all of our sins if we are repentant.   We need to be reminded at what Jesus Christ endured on the cross for our sins, his role as the sacrificial lamb, his willingness to take all of our sins to the cross and to die for us so that we can be freed from the bondage of sin.  Likewise we must forgive others as we have been forgiven as well.

§  Additional readings

·         Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 17:3-4, 2 Kings 4:1, James 2:12-13

o   The Wicked Trustee.   (Matthew 21:33-46)

§  In this parable we see God as the landowner, Israel is represented as the vineyard, the religious leaders are the tenants, the prophets and priests who remained loyal to God are represented by the servants to the landowner, Jesus is the landowner’s son, and the Gentiles are represented by the other tenants.

§  Jesus was directing this parable to the Jews and he was exposing the Pharisees plot to kill him

§  This parable is a reminder that God sent his one and only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to us out of his love.  Jesus’s perfect life, his words of truth, and his sacrifice of love should cause us to listen to him and follow him.  If we reject God’s gracious gift of his son, we reject God himself.

·         Our greatest privilege is to have the kingdom of God entrusted to us.   The greatest sin is to reject God.   The greatest doom is to be crushed by Jesus.

§  Jesus refers to himself as the “stone the builders rejected”.  Although most of the people of Israel rejected Jesus, he became the “cornerstone and capstone” of his new building of the church, which would now include the Gentiles.

§  Verse 44:   Jesus used this metaphor to show that one stone can affect people in different ways depending upon how they relate to that stone.  Some will build upon it, some will trip over it, and God’s enemy will be crushed by it at the end because of God’s judgment.   Jesus Christ is this stone as he offers mercy and forgiveness now, but he also does promise judgment at the end of times for those who reject him.

§  Additional Readings.

·         Isaiah 5:1-2, Jeremiah 2:21, Ezekiel 19:10-14, Psalm 80:8-10, Romans 5:9-11, Matthew 23:33-36, Acts 13:46-49, Acts 18:5-6, Acts 28:28, Psalm 118:22-24, Acts 4:8-12, I Peter 2:4-8, Luke 2:34-35.

·         Questions to ponder/Life Lessons.

o   The first parable makes 3 points.

§  Judgment is coming.

§  There is forgiveness shown to us by God through the death of Jesus on the cross.

§  The proof of a person’s having received God’s forgiveness through faith in Jesus is a transformed heart and a changed lifestyle

o   Is it really possible to forgive and forget?

o   How likely are we to forgive someone many times for the same offense?  Why is an unforgiving spirit deadly?

o   In what ways has God shown mercy in forgiving our sins?   If God is so willing to forgive us, why are we unwilling to forgive others?

o   What is the fate that awaits those who reject Jesus as the Messiah or the Son of God?

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 9

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 9 

·         Background

o   Today’s Parables come from the Gospel of Luke.  

§  Luke was a Gentile Doctor and also a historian.   He was a companion to Paul during Paul’s journeys and it has been suggested that Luke met Paul in Troas.   It has also been suggested that the ‘Thorn in the Flesh’ required Luke to continue to be a personal doctor for Paul.   Luke is also the author of the Book of Acts which gives us the early history of the Church.

o   Both parables were taught in Jesus’s early teachings.

·         Parables of A Christian Life.

o   On Being Thankful. (Luke 7: 36 – 50)

§  Jesus had been invited to eat dinner at a house of one of the Pharisees named Simon.   A sinful woman learned of Jesus being at this house so she went to Simon’s house and she washes Jesus’s feet with her tears, kisses his feet, and then anoints them with oil.   The Pharisee upon seeing this questions this in his mind that if Jesus is truly a prophet he would surely recognize the woman as a sinner.

§  An Alabaster jar was typically carved, expensive, and beautiful during this time period.

§  In Jesus’s day it was customary to recline while eating.   It was also common to have guests who did not partake in the meal but were observers of the conversation.   Dinner guests would lie on couches with their heads near the table and prop themselves up on one elbow and stretch their feet out behind them.   The woman was not a dinner guest and entered Simon’s house and she knelt behind Jesus’s feet.

§  Simon the Pharisee had committed several social errors that hosts should extend to their guests during this time period.   Sandaled guests would have dirty feet from traveling and the host was to wash their feet, anoint there head with oil, and offer a greeting kiss.   Simon also expected Jesus to scorn the woman as she was a known sinner.

§  The Pharisees believed that only God could forgive sin so they wondered how Jesus could say that the woman’s sin was forgiven.

§  The theme of this parable is one of God’s forgiveness and grace.   God forgave both debtors because of his incredible graciousness, mercy, and forgiveness, as both debtors had sinned.   The woman who was a sinner showed by her actions that she needed forgiveness because of her past sins.   Simon the Pharisee saw he had little need of forgiveness by failing to see Jesus as the Guest of Honor.   The woman responded out of love and gratitude knowing Jesus could forgive her sins.   The Pharisee can be likened to one who has grown in the church all there life and feels that works will atone for their sin.   The woman can be likened to the sinner who repents and accepts Jesus into one’s life.

§  Related Readings

·         Genesis 18:2-4, Genesis 19:1-2, Genesis 43:24, Judges 19:20-21, Psalm 23:5, Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:32-34

o   Wise and Foolish Builders (Luke 6: 46 - 49)

§  This parable was given shortly after the Sermon of the Mount (The Beatitudes).

§  Jesus teaches us that obeying God is like building a house.   If a house (our life) has a firm foundation, it can stand firm when a storm (trials) approach.   When life is calm our foundation does not appear to matter.  When storms and trials do come, our foundations are tested.

§  Jesus was speaking to the most religious people possible, the people in the right and chosen religion, Judaism.   He mentioned the people called him ‘LORD’ but they did not do what Jesus was preaching.   Jesus is not looking for curiosity seekers, fascination, or admiration.   Jesus is telling us what it is like to be a true follower.  It does not mean anything if we do not follow Jesus and call him ‘LORD’.

§  ‘Rock’ is an Old Testament term for God.   ‘Foundation’ is a New Testament term for Jesus. (I Corinthians 3:11)

§  Flooding was a certainty for both builders.   The second builder was taking a calculated risk as he did not know when the flood would occur.  The same is true in our lives as we do not know when the next storm or trial will occur as well.   Life was never promised to be easy by Jesus as scripture does tell us.   We can face frustrations, difficulties, threats, and devastation.   Scripture also tells us that God is our only hope during those times.   The trials in our life are an opportunity to strengthen our faith and make us more dependent upon following God’s guidance.   God can take horrible circumstances and turn them into good.  Look at the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob.   (Genesis 50:15-20)

§  Jesus was not speaking to those who rebelled against him but those who professed to be followers and how they would either live or not live according to his teachings by how they put his teachings into practice.

§  A strong foundation includes believing who Jesus is, to turn from our sin to a faith in Jesus as the way of salvation.   Having a strong foundation will help is to survive the storm and last forever (eternal life in heaven).  We do not build for this life upon earth but for our life of eternity in Heaven with Jesus.

§  Related Readings

·         Romans 5:1-3, Job 5:17, John 12:43-50, John 13:13, Matthew 7:21, Luke 11:28, James 1:22-25.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   Do we take for granted our relationship with Jesus as the Pharisee or are we like the woman who repents and seeks forgiveness for our sins?

o   The first parable shows us about a lack of understanding with ingratitude, the Pharisee and the sinner’s actions.   The Pharisee was looking at the woman from the outward appearance and actions where Jesus can see our hearts and desires.   Simon only saw the repentance of the woman’s past, where Jesus saw the woman’s repentance from the heart.  

o   We live in an age of ingratitude, where people are not thankful in areas that they should be.  Are we thankful for our jobs, our spouse, our children, our parents, or our friends?   Do we think of ourselves instead of others?   Do we look down on others?

o   How is Simon different from the woman?  How is the woman better than Simon?  Who do you think the worse sinner is here, Simon or the woman?

o   What is the rock or foundation upon which you should build your house (I Corinthians 3:11).   Be sure your life is built upon a solid foundation, knowing and trusting Jesus Christ.   Can you imagine building a house without some form of foundation?

o   When you find yourself listening but not obeying, what are your reasons?

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 8

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 8

·         Background

o   Today’s Parables come from the Gospel of Luke.  

o   Jesus was teaching along his way to Jerusalem where he would eventually be crucified.

o   Jesus had just sent out 72 disciples ahead of him, 36 groups of 2 people, to help spread the message to the towns he would be teaching in.

o   Parables help answer questions and deal with attitudes.

·         Parables of A Christian Life.

o   The Good Samaritan. (Luke 10: 25 – 37)

§  An expert of the law stood up to test Jesus on what he must do to have eternal life.   He was quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.  He correctly understood total devotion to God and love for one’s neighbor.   This man of the law was self-righteous and he was also trying to justify himself.

§  The road between Jerusalem and Jericho was steep and treacherous because robbers had many places to hide.   The road was nicknamed “The Way of the Blood”.   It was considered by Jewish law that anyone who touched a dead man was considered unclean.   The Priest and Levite were leaving Jerusalem, as they had completed their duties and returning home.  They had just worshiped God (Love God) but they did not help the wounded man (Love your neighbor).   The priest would have been familiar with the Jewish law which commanded that you help your enemy’s donkey if he was lost or overturned.   The Levite was a spiritual leader for the nation of Israel and he was also familiar of the Jewish laws.

§  There was a deep hatred between Jews and Samaritans.   The Jews saw themselves as pure descendants of Abraham, while the Samaritans where a mixed race produced when the Jews from the northern kingdom of Israel inter-married with other people after Israel’s exile to Babylon.   Notice how the Jewish leader answered Jesus’s question, ‘Which of the 3 men was a neighbor?”.   The Jewish leader had mentioned early in the parable to “love your neighbor”, but the Jewish leader answered Jesus by saying, “the one who showed mercy”.  He could not say the Samaritan.   Jesus was telling this parable in reply to the expert of the Law’s question, ‘Who is my neighbor?’.

§  We can see 3 different Attitudes displayed in this parable.

·         The Robber – What is yours is mine and I am going to take it.

·         The Priest/Levite – What is mine is mine and I am going to keep it.

·         The Samaritan – What is mine is yours and I am going to share it.

§  Related Readings

·         Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:16, Luke 18:18,  Leviticus 21:1-3.

o   Persistence in not Giving Up. (Luke 11:5-13 and Luke 18:1-8)

§  Both readings talk about the importance of prayer.

§  The expression “wear me out” literally translates to “hit me under the eye”.  It appeared to be in the best interest of the judge to give the woman her results because of her persistence.  The unjust judge acted upon his own selfish nature.   His character is used to show us the contrast between God’s character and the unjust judge.   God is a just and righteous judge.  God has compassion for us because of his love for us.  The character of God is our motivation not to lose heart and to press on in prayer for Jesus’s coming and the establishment of justice on earth.

§  Persistence or boldness in prayer overcomes our insensitivity, not God’s.   To practice persistence helps to change our hearts and minds and it helps to express our intensity of our need.   Persistence helps us to recognize God’s work.

§  Even though fathers can make mistakes, they treat their children well.   The most important gift God has given us is his Holy Spirit to those who believe in the death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ.

§  We are encouraged and commanded to approach God in prayer with confidence in asking, seeking, and knocking.   God desires to hear our prayers and petitions and to open them to him.   God loves us and wants us to share and open our hearts to him.   Continued payer is expected in order to gain results

§  Jesus’s second coming would occur later in times and he wished for his disciples not to lose heart and pray unceasingly.   Jesus was warning that there will be much injustice in this world and we need to continually pray in faith.  Jesus is the righteous judge.

§  We cannot take both readings out of context and believe we will receive everything we pray for.  The Lord’s Prayer is an example of how we can pray to God and Jesus gave this example to his apostles as well.   It is important that we pray in the will of God (John 6:40, Romans 12:12, James 1:5, Philippians 4:6-8, Peter 3:9).   If our confidence is in God’s desire to answer our prayer, then we should continue this prayer.  If our prayer weakens, then we should drop that prayer (James 5:16).

§  Related Readings

·         Matthew 7:7-8, Hebrews 4:16, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2, I Thessalonians 5:17

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   The Good Samaritan teaches us 3 principles.

§  Lack of love is often easy to justify even though it is never right.

§  Our neighbor is anyone of any race, creed, or social background that is in need.

§  Love means acting to meet the people’s needs.

o   What natural inclinations make it easier for us to act like the Priest of Levite rather than the Good Samaritan?

o   How does it feel when someone has mercy upon you?   How do you feel when you face trouble because of your actions and how does mercy feel then?

o   In what ways of our life can we be like the Good Samaritan?   Is this something that God expects from us?

o   The movie – ‘Bucket List’

§  Have you seen joy in your life?

§  Have you given others joy in their life?

o   How we love people shows our relationship with God.  “Fruits” is a result of our actions because of our love for God.  “Works” is what we think we must do to get into heaven.

o   Love means moving towards others, it is not convenience.

o   Asking for things we need is not unreasonable.  Asking for a better life is not unreasonable.  Remember to combine your prayer activities with your spiritual growth.  Through spiritual growth we are able to know what things we should pray for.

o   How do we respond when we do not see our prayers getting answered?

o   How can we be assured that what we are praying for is within the will of God?

Parables of Jesus - Lesson 7

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 7 

·         Background

o   Today’s Parables come from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.  

o   In the first parable, Jesus was making his journey to Jerusalem to be crucified and he was teaching in parables along the way.   This parable will conclude our parables about salvation.   This parable is the most puzzling when you first hear it as one would first think that Jesus is commending dishonesty and wickedness.

o   The second parable begins our parables about the Christian life.   This parable was spoken after Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem, which is typically called Palm Sunday.  

·         Parables of Wisdom and Folly.

o   A Shrewd Man of the World. (Luke 16: 1 – 18)

§  Definition of Shrewd:   Keen witted, clever, or discerning in practical affairs.  Having or showing clever awareness and resourcefulness.

§  Jesus’s audience was tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees, teachers of the Jewish people, and the disciples of Jesus.   (Luke 15: 1 – 2)

§  The word ‘Steward’ is used in other Bible versions and can be used instead of ‘Manager’ to help convey the meaning of the parable better.

§  The Manager was not a man of integrity and he was dishonest as the Master learned.   The Master demanded the Manager’s records immediately.   The Master later commended or praised the Manager after he lessened the debt of others.

§  A streetwise people are smarter than law abiding citizens because they learn how to take care of themselves.  They are on constant alerts and learn to survive by their wits.   Jesus wants us to be smart in the same respect for what is right.  We should use adversity to stimulate ourselves to survive and concentrate our attention on the bare essentials.

§  Some believe the debtors were being improperly charged by the Manager.   In those days loans were inflated to get around the Judaic prohibition against usery (Deuteronomy 23:19) so the loan appeared to not contain interest.   Others believe the manager eliminated his own commission which was also a custom at that time.   Others believe it could also be a combination of both.  In either case, the Manager was not being cheated but gaining the good grace of the debtors by lessening their debts.   The Master’s image was being impaired because of the loan amount.

§  Jesus is commending the Manager’s motives not his methods.   We see the Manager was planning ahead and preparing for the loss of his job.   By lessening the debt he was hoping others would provide and look after him.   If the wicked can plan ahead for the future, shouldn’t we as Christians do likewise?   The Manager saw what was coming ahead and planned ahead accordingly.

§  Jesus was commending the Manger for shrewdness, as the Manager’s principle was correct (Matthew 10: 16).   Use whatever resources God has blessed us with to benefit others in need, which will lead to rewards in heaven.

§  The Pharisees acted piously to get the praise from others, but God knew and could see what was in their hearts.   The Pharisees considered wealth to be a sign of God’s approval.  We live in an age that measures a person’s worth by their money.  

§  We are being asked to give what belongs to God to others.   We are to use our worldly wealth to gain friends for ourselves and to use our advantages in this world to gain favor for ourselves in heaven. 

§  Related Readings

·         Matthew 19:21, Luke 12:33, Matthew 25:21–23, Luke 19:17, Matthew 6:24, I Samuel 16:7, Revelation 2:23 Proverbs 3:9-10, Matthew 6:19-20.

o   A Tale of Two Sons. (Matthew 21: 28 -32)

§  Jesus had just thrown the money changers out of the Temple.   The religious leaders than began to question Jesus’s authority and asking about the authority of John the Baptist.

§  The Father refers to God where the vineyard is the Church.

§  The tax collectors and harlots are represented by the first son.  They were sinners living in rejection of God’s commands.  

·         Arrogantly defied his Father but later repented.   (Attitude of having fun now and repent later)

·         Sinners who are made righteous through the cleansing of Jesus’s blood through his death and resurrection will enter heaven.   Repentance of the heart is required by the confession of our sins and asking for forgiveness (Matthew 7: 21).   We know we need forgiveness for our sins.

·         Jesus changes us from the inside out.

§  The religious leaders are represented by the second son.   They had a reputation for being God’s servants but at the same time rejected what the prophets foretold about Jesus’s coming.  They were working in ‘their own yard’ and not God’s.   They did not accept what John the Baptist taught or what Jesus was teaching.   They were not willing to repent and they were not willing to do the will of the Father.

§  ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today’

·         There is work to be done

·         The work to be done is God’s work.

·         The need for the work to be done is now.

·         There is a duty to do the Father’s bidding (Ephesians 2:19, Luke 2:49)

§  The ending of the parable offers encouragement to sinners.   Satan will try to deceive us and tell us that we have sinned so deeply to be received by God.  

§  The question asked ‘Which of the two sons did the will of the father?’ refers to believing in Jesus Christ and then living a Christian life.

§  Romans 10:9-10.   This parable addresses a sincere and insincere profession of faith.   Jesus is not against a profession of faith (Some may think - I will not make a profession, I will not make a promise to God).   Confession is linked to an active profession of faith.  We can do everything right, join a church, being active in our church, but yet we can be disobedient to GOD.

§  Related Readings

·         Luke 7:29-30, Luke 7:50, Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:12-13, Luke 7:30.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   Look and see the issues clearly.  We cannot wish away our problems, instead we must face and confront them.

o   We are all stewards of what God has entrusted us with.   We must not waste those possessions as one day we will be held accountable for them.  A day will come when we will no longer live here on this earth, our possessions will not go with us but remain here, and our living friends will still be here.

o   Do we waver between two opinions?

o   How is our relationship with God?  If it is strained we should move quickly and make provisions for those short comings.

o   Use our resources wisely as they belong to God and not us.   Money and possessions can be used for both good and evil.  Money can have a lot of power so use it carefully and thoughtfully.  Foster faith and obedience with all of our possessions.

o   Is it ever too late to do the right thing?  What does it mean to repent?  Is it ever too late to repent?   By delaying our decision to come to Jesus now does not guarantee that we will be able to come to Jesus later.