Faith, Time of Trouble

TIME OF TROUBLE-How do we prepare?

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Prophecy of the End Time by Daniel and Jesus


“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

Daniel 12:1


For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

Matthew 24: 21-22

Couple #1-Every Fall, you can find her busy canning food from her garden to store away for the time of trouble. This annual exercise takes priority over everything else. She is working feverishly as if the stores are going to run out of food tomorrow. Her cellar is packed with food and other necessities to sustain the life of her and her husband for a long time. How long? She doesn’t know.

Her husband has a passion for stockpiling weapons for the time of trouble. He has enough weapons and ammunition for a small army. He reasons people will likely try to steal their food when the time comes. As a good American citizen, they have the right to defend their home and possessions. They have built a small home near the mountains, far from the crazy world of the big cities. Well water and solar panels provide everything they need to officially be off the grid and live a life of preparation for the day the world sinks into the black hole of despair, hunger, crime, and complete chaos. They have pulled all their money out of the bank and hid it in different places on their property. They are great students of the prophecies, particularly Revelation. They are Christians.

But they have missed something! There is one thing they don’t have. It is so important. If they don’t find it soon, they will never make it through the scenario they have built in their minds. The prophecy they have built in their mind comes from other survivalists, preachers in their small group, and the dark, wet news of the day. What they see in the world frightens them!

Couple #2 On the other side of the spectrum is another husband and wife. They make good money and enjoy their home and life. They believe the church will be raptured away before the time of trouble. So they make no preparation at all because they won’t be here. They believe their pastor, who proudly states,

“I don’t care about the Beast of Revelation 13 and the time of trouble. I won’t be here.”

So, the book of Revelation is not relevant to them. They hardly ever look at it. After all, it is all symbols, and no one can understand it.

This couple’s understanding of prophecies has come from isolated, out-of-context accounts of Biblical verses about end-time events preached to them through Hollywood productions, books, and passionate, well-dressed pastors. They spend little time in God’s word. They reason that the church hired a preacher to feed them. This husband and wife have missed something, too. If they don’t find it soon, they will be surprised when the time of trouble begins, and they are still here. They, too, are Christians.

Both Christian families are good people. They have heard things from false prophets that Jesus promised would come. Jesus said the deception would be of an immense scope. The whole world will be deceived! It is so tricky that even the very elect of God would be deceived if it was not for this one thing:

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24

What is the thing that the elect have that makes it impossible for them to be deceived? Is it knowledge of the Bible alone? Notice from Jesus’ words that it is signs and wonders used to deceive the people of our planet. What could this be? It is fire from heaven provided by the beast of Revelation 13. This earthly power provides the deception that will trick almost everyone on Earth:

He performs great signs so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

Revelation 13:13

Satan is Preparing for the Time of Trouble

It can be said biblically that Satan is preparing for the time of trouble, too. He is trying to keep the people of planet Earth from the one thing the two couples don’t have. Those already under his control are lost in their choice to live their version of happiness: in drink, drugs, work, and entertainment, Satan will use anything that will keep the work of God through the Holy Spirit to draw them to know Jesus.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

The next verse is not often quoted. It gives the reader the solution and the thing missing by the two couples.

Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

1 Peter 5:9 (NLT)

But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

Revelation 12:12 (NLT)

Satan’s preparation is not to survive but to take as many Christians as he can to eternal death because he knows he has a short time left. How does he know? Because he has had thousands of years to study God and His prophecies. He believes in the second advent but still does not love nor trust his Creator. He is a rebel from heaven!

Followers of Christ who have been baptized and perhaps have been doing good things for the church can be devoured. But not the elect because they have the one thing the two couples do not. Unconsciously, the two couples feel they deserve a place in heaven because of their church membership and good works.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7: 21-23

The couples will not survive the time of the trouble because they lack a personal knowledge of God and have not practiced trust in God. Jeremiah asked a question we should ask ourselves:

“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? Jeremiah 12:5

What the Two Couples Lack


And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

If we don’t know God the Father and Jesus Christ nor trust Them in the little things of everyday life, then how can we trust Them in life-and-death situations of the time of trouble? Whether we are here on earth or not, trust in God the Father and Jesus Christ and the Truth personally is critical in being saved in the little times of trouble that come upon us or the big worldwide time of trouble that is sure to come either way. Daily trust in God is the preparation for larger times of trouble in your life.

Survival is dependent more on who you know than what you know. Although, this is not to diminish the importance of knowing God’s word. It is the truth sets a person free from fear.

“...this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:3

A true knowledge of God results in following or obeying him. A person can’t follow Him if they are disobedient and say in their hearts,

“Tthe moral law of God has been done away with.”


He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:4

Conclusion

In summary, Couple #1 is prepared to save themselves by the works of their hands i.e., canning food,, stockpiling weapons, and protecting their bank account. While preparation is always a good thing, they are showing their unbelief in God’s ability to supply their needs in times of trouble. Because of lack of faith, they have fear, and they look for ways to help God provide for them during the big time of trouble. He promised Isaiah a promise we can keep for ourselves:

He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;
Bread will be given him, His water will be sure.
Isaiah 33:16


No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

Psalm 91:10

Couple #2 lacks faith in God also. They have faith, but it is faith in the easy way out. But what if the popular way of thinking about end-time events is wrong, and they find themselves in the midst of it? Only trust in God will get them through, too. They need to prepare by trusting in God, which can be difficult when you enjoy all the earthly comforts. Those will one day be of little value.

Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin. Ezekiel 7:19

Satan works especially hard on those who take the name of Jesus. He causes doubt and a lack of trust. This is where he can devour a person. If we can’t trust in God and His word, he can lead them to trust in themselves or hide behind an incorrect knowledge of God. They can even believe the worst thing possible. An angry and unforgiving God who performs the most evil act possible. Eternal torture. This idea is probably the most disgusting slap in the face of a gracious, forgiving God who wants to draw people to him through love, forgiveness, and power over sins; not through threats of unending torture in flames of fire.

Ultimately, it is faith (trust) that pleases God. That must mean that lack of trust does not please him. Jesus asks this rhetorical question about faith and the end time.

When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:8

The answer to His question is obviously No! Our two couples would do well to know this truth about God and what He desires for them:

But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24

Do you know God personally? Do you trust Him even if your prayers are not answered the way you requested? Can you say to Him, “not my will, but yours be done?” Can you trust Him even if times of trouble fall upon you? Have you turned your back on God because of some great loss in your life? Begin today to rest in Him and find peace even though the sky falls. Trust in the small things. it will prepare you for the big things. Get to know Him daily. Make time to search for Him with all your heart. Then you can say,


The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold….For I will not trust in my bow, Nor shall my sword save me….
In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 18:2, Psalm 44:6, Psalm 56:4

The Truth About The Fate of The Lost

CONTEXT CONCLUSION-RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

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In our study regarding context, we have discovered that a “text without context is pretext.” When one verse is used to support a popular idea or doctrine without the preponderance of context, we can know we are on shaky ground. Context is on several levels:

1.) Lowest level: The passages surrounding the verse, the chapter, and the other writings of the author.

2.) Mid-level: Other writers of the Bible including the writers of the old testament.

3.) Highest level: Context of what has been revealed about God through His revealed character of love, mercy, and forgiveness.

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus tests positive on all three levels. But, how can we know it is a parable? Is it a literal example of a rich man in torture who is able to communicate with the living about torture to give warning? Is that the purpose of the parable?

Characteristics of a Parable

1.) Often there is a trigger by the Pharisees or person that starts the parable. In the case of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the religious leaders had heard Jesus’ parables and were not happy about it. Luke records in 16:14 that they “loved money and derided Him” (turned up their noses at Jesus.). The parable has its context in the fact that the Pharisees loved luxury and also changed the law to fit their desires regarding divorce (Verse 18). The parable was directed at them as a group through the abstract story of one man and a theoretical situation. He used a popular story often taught by them to show that wealth, position, and lineage were a sign of their acceptance of God. The poor and sick were excluded in their mind and teaching. But, Jesus reversed the character’s positions in His story.

2.) The Rich Man and Lazarus are among a string of parables. In the book of Luke, it is twentieth of twenty-five parables in that chapter.

3.) Many of Jesus’ parables start with the phrase “there was a certain man” as does the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. A certain man can be specific or non-specific. Again. you can know by its context. Some parables do not start with an introduction as being a parable, but we can know by context.

4.) The point of the story is usually said specifically at the end of the parable. The point of the parable is “ ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets (aka Scripture), neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ Verse 31

5.) Mark 4:33, 34 clearly shows that Jesus’ lessons of the kingdom were almost always couched in parables:

“And with many such parables spake he the word unto them: as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them; and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”

What is a Parable and Its Purpose?

The Random House College Dictionary describes a parable as “a short, allegorical story designed to convey a truth or moral lesson.” Cruden’s Complete Concordance further expands this concept, saying  parables in the Bible were used “more generally than elsewhere.” We know that the Bible writers used situations both imaginary—as in the trees asking the bramble to be king over them (Judges 9:8-15)—and realistic in parables. Whatever form the parable took, it was only a vehicle for the moral lesson being taught.

Jesus recognized the value of parables in teaching the people. He desired to stimulate their deepest thought and contemplation, and He knew that if He spoke too literally, certain of His hearers would quickly forget His words. For some,  his speech sometimes contained stern rebuke.  No doubt he knew straight talk would anger them and they would attempt to silence Him by violence.  Jesus recalled the words of Isaiah 6:9 and told His disciples,

“Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”

Luke 8:10.

Cruden’s Concordance explains: “Our Savior in the gospels often speaks to the people in parables. He made use of them to veil the truth from those who were not willing to see it. Those who really desired to know would not rest till they had found out the meaning.”

It is appropriate here to ask to whom Jesus was speaking in Luke 16:19-31. Which category of people was He dealing with? The last verse before Jesus begins tells us.

  “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” 

Luke 16: 14

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, a class of men who were notorious all through the Gospels for their refusal to deal honestly with Him and the truths He taught.

We can be sure that of all the people Jesus taught, none were handled more guardedly than the wily Pharisees. They dealt in deception and subterfuge, but Jesus dealt with them wisely and truthfully. The safest way for Him to do this was by parable and allegory. Evidence that they did not understand many of His teachings can be found in Jesus’ prayer:

“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hath revealed them unto babes.”

Luke 10:21

Examination of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Now we are ready to examine the story of the rich man and Lazarus itself, and try to ascertain the real message Jesus was seeking to convey through it.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”

Luke 16:19-21.

Who was the symbolic rich man? The Jews had been blessed above measure by a knowledge of God and his plan of salvation for all mankind. They had received

“the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.”

Romans 9:4.

Only a Jew would pray to “Father Abraham,” as we find the rich man doing later in the story. The Jewish nation was clearly represented by this character.

By contrast, Lazarus symbolized all those people in spiritual poverty—the Gentiles—with whom the Israelites were to share their heritage. The words of Isaiah were well known to the Jews.

“I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

Isaiah 49:6.

Unfortunately, the Jews had not shared their spiritual wealth with the Gentiles at all. Instead, they considered them as “dogs” that would have to be satisfied with the spiritual crumbs falling from their masters’ tables. The metaphor was known. Jesus had used it before in testing the faith of the Canaanite woman.

“It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” She responded accordingly: “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ tables.”

Matthew 15:26, 27.

The rich Jews had hoarded the truth, and in so doing, they had corrupted themselves. Only moments before relating this parable, Jesus had rebuked the Pharisees for their spiritual conceit.

And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Luke 16:15.

What was to be the result of this terrible conceit?

22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

Luke 16:22-26

The Jews had enjoyed “the good life” while on earth but had done nothing to bless or enrich their neighbors. No further reward was due.

“But woe to you who are rich,
For you have received your consolation.
25 Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.

Luke 6:24- 25.

Conversely, the poor in spirit, symbolized by Lazarus, would inherit the kingdom of heaven. The Gentiles who hungered and thirsted after righteousness would be filled. The “dogs” and sinners, so despised by the self-righteous Pharisees, would enter heaven before they would.

“Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”

Matthew 21:31.

The parable concludes with the rich man begging for his brethren to be warned against sharing his fate. Asking Abraham to send Lazarus on this mission, he alleges

“if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.” Abraham replies,

Luke 16:30.

“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Verse 31.

Jesus thus rebuked the Pharisees for their disregard of the Scriptures, foreseeing that even a supernatural event would not change the hearts of those who persistently rejected the teachings of “Moses and the prophets.”

The miracle of raising the real-life Lazarus from the dead soon afterward confirmed the accuracy of Jesus’ conclusion. One did rise from the dead, yet the brothers of the “rich man” did not repent. In fact, the Pharisees even plotted to kill Lazarus after his resurrection. His very life was a reminder to them of their own hypocrisy.

The Challenge of Taking the Parable Literally

Today many Christians believe that the story of the rich man and Lazarus is a historical account of two individuals’ literal experiences in the afterlife. Based on this belief, some people teach that those who are consigned to the fiery torments of hell will never stop burning throughout all eternity. As with the parable of the trees and the bramble (Judges 9:8-15), however, serious problems arise with a literal interpretation of the story elements.

Can we believe that all the saints are even now gathered in Abraham’s bosom? If they are, in whose bosom does Abraham rest? And if there is really a great gulf fixed between heaven and hell, how could the rich man possibly have been heard by Abraham? Perhaps more disturbing, how could the saints enjoy the comforts of heaven while enduring the cries of the wicked being tormented?

Another dilemma that arises with a literal interpretation of this story could be called “the mystery of the empty graves.” If this is taken literally, apparently neither of the two leading characters spent very long in the grave—both being whisked away rather quickly to their respective places of reward. Their bodies obviously came along, for we find the rich man lifting up his eyes, and desiring to have his tongue cooled by a drop of water from the finger of Lazarus who was resting, as we have seen, in Abraham’s bosom. Enough graves have been exhumed in recent years to know that the bodies of the deceased are carried neither to heaven or hell after burial. They finally turn to dust and await the resurrection.

From these few examples, we begin to see that in this parable, Jesus was not trying to explain the physical realities of the afterlife. Instead, He was referring to the unfaithfulness of the Jews regarding their assigned responsibility. As stewards of the special message of truth, they utterly failed to share it with the Gentiles, who were eager to hear it. In fact, the entire chapter of Luke 16 is devoted to the subject of stewardship.

Beginning in verse one, Christ gave another parable about stewardship of money or property.

“There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.”

After dealing with the principle of being entrusted with material goods, Jesus opened up the issue of being entrusted with the truth. By the parable of another rich man, He graphically illustrated how they had proven just as unfaithful with spiritual riches as the steward had been unfaithful with physical wealth.

To attempt to stretch the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to cover the doctrine of hellfire is to miss the point Jesus intended to convey. The Bible speaks with unmistakable clarity on the subject of hell in many other places. Nowhere do the Scriptures teach that the wicked will continue to suffer in the fires of hell through the ceaseless ages of eternity. Rather, they will be utterly destroyed. Jesus never would have compromised the integrity of the Holy Scriptures by teaching a doctrine contrary to its own overwhelming testimony on the subject.

The Truth About the Fate of the Lost

The truth about hell and the fate of the lost may be ascertained by examining even a few of the many Bible texts that speak directly on the subject. Before examining these, however, we must remember that

“the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life.”

Romans 6:23.

There are only two alternatives for every soul. Those who accept Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice will live forever; those who do not accept Jesus will die. If the wicked suffered without end, eternal life—however painful—would be theirs. But we know that eternal life is available only to those who accept Jesus.

Consider these clear texts of Scripture that speak of the reward of the wicked:

“But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”

Psalm 37:20.

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”

Malachi 4:1.

“And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 4:3.

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

2 Peter 3:10.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8.

Many other texts could be cited, but these clearly illustrate that the ultimate fate of the wicked is eternal death. Notice that the Scriptures choose the strongest possible words to describe the complete destruction of the wicked. In no way should these clear words be misunderstood by one who honestly desires to know the truth. There is a fire reserved for the wicked, but a fire so hot it will utterly destroy all who are engulfed by it. When the fire has done its work, it will go out. Eternally burning fire is not taught anywhere in the Bible—not even in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. (Some people have wondered what the expression “forever” means in the usage of Revelation 20:10. Other similar passages demonstrate this merely to mean as long as a person lives. See Exodus 21:6; 1 Samuel 1:22; Jonah 2:6, etc. Also, the expression “eternal fire” may be understood in terms of consequences rather than duration, as in the example of Sodom and Gomorrah in Jude 7).

It would be tragic to miss the actual point of the parable by removing it from the setting in which Jesus gave it. Let’s accept the lesson He was trying to teach and apply it to our own lives. Are we doing all we can to spread the message of salvation to others? Do we have a genuine love for those around us, and have we invited them to share our spiritual inheritance? If we hoard our riches, like the Jews of old, we will become self-righteous and corrupt. In contrast, by active, loving service, our relationship with Christ as well as with others will become stronger and more meaningful.

Let us not make scary stories the basis of our Christian experience. Instead, let us understand that

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16.

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Is Eternal Torture in the Nature of the God Described as Love?

After all of this, the pivotal question must be asked,

Do you know God enough to know that He is a God of mercy and not a God who tortures his creation for rejecting Jesus? …even though He  gave man the freedom to choose.

Choose this day whom you will follow.

Joshua 24:15

Sin comes with its own penalty….eternal and non-ending death. This is in itself mercy. The sinner gives in to the carnal nature and chooses a life of pleasurable sin and its ultimate penalty of death rather than a born-again life of service in Christ that brings satisfaction and real joy.  The rebel to God’s Spirit will one day cease to exist in the lake of fire.  They choose this world and its temporary pleasures rather than Jesus and His eternal riches of life and discovery.

It is not what your choose, but rather who.  If you choose Jesus, then eternal life is yours.  Will you choose Him today?

I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

Deuteronomy 30:19

Reasons to Believe

CONTEXT-PART 6-LUKE’S PARABLES SUMMARIZED

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Luke recorded the most parables (25). Eighteen of them are unique among the gospel writers. One of those is the Rich Man and Lazarus…the most misunderstood of all the parables. This will be reviewed next time.

As I studied each parable I put them in a chart. By doing so, I noticed a pattern. This pattern consisted of these three points:

1.) There was an instance or question that prompted Jesus to respond. The context for His response is critical in understanding the point of the parable.

2.) The parable was not an actual event nor actual people. They were not the focus of the parable. The story is used like an example to illustrate a truth about the kingdom of God.

3.) The point of the story most often comes at the end, where Jesus usually speaks it plainly. However, in a few instances, it is not explained especially when it is against the religious leaders and even Israel itself.

As human beings, we learn best by seeing or hearing examples. These parables fall into that category of learning. But, as I soon discovered, there are different types of hearers! Some listeners would hear and respond and become followers. Some would hear and not give it another thought. They would go on their merry way. While others didn’t understand the parable at all.

Below are my notes from each parable in Luke. For maximum benefit, please prayerfully read the parable then compare with my short notes. My emphasis is on the context and the message. These parables are of no use unless we hear (understand) and apply them personally.

The series of parable recorded by Luke ends with the parable of the fig tree and the need to watch for signs of His second coming. Deception will be involved so we need to test every claim against God’s word.

Beware of relying on headings in your Bible to locate parables. A parable of Jesus It is always found in the context and structure of Jesus teaching. Headings were not part of the oldest manuscripts. In fact, there was no paragraphs or punctuation in those ancient writings. They are for organizational purposes only. Just because a section is not marked as a parable, does not mean it is not.

Probably one of the most interesting and debated parables is the one about the Rich Man and Lazarus. Only Luke records this parable. I have heard well-known pastors assert that this is not a parable, but an actual event. I will discuss this more in the next (and last) blog on this topic of Context. But, for now, let’s contemplate the power of context by understanding Jesus’ parables and the application of His teaching about the kingdom of God.

Following is a summary of each one of the parables in this useful chart. Next time we will discuss the most misunderstood parable of all these parables.

TitleTrigger
(Context)		Message
Sower
8:4-7		Large crowd. Universal messageExplained to the disciples in 8: 11-17. Good soil…good hearers who produce fruit. Danger to those who give up due to trials and allowing Satan to take it away.
Covering up the lamp
8: 16-18		Likely a continuation from the previous parable. Spoken only to His disciples.“nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”
Good Samaritan 10: 25-28A lawyer asks about what could he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded by asking a question. The lawyer answers by quoting the Tora. Jesus explains in detail who is a neighbor.Everyone is a neighbor. When someone who is in need, regardless of who they are, they should be extended mercy and help. Don’t discriminate!
A Midnight Friend
11: 5-8		Disciples wanted Jesus to teach them how to prayPersistence in prayer to God (our friend) will produce results. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Unclean Spirit Goes Away. Seven return
11: 24-26		Jesus accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub (Satan).“the last state of that man is worse than the first.” A clean house (life) unoccupied by God’s Spirit can be dangerous to the person initially made clean.
Lamp of the Body
11: 33-36		Crowd was seeking a sign. Jesus gave them the sign of Jonah, queen of the south and Solomon.Be careful that the light in you is not darkness. What you think is truth is really error. If you have light with no darkness, it will be made known to others and yourself.
Sparrows Worth VS the worth of humans
12: 4-7		A very large crowd gathers and Jesus starts by telling his disciples to beware of the “leaven of the Pharisees.”Don’t fear what man can do you, even up to killing your body. They can kill the body but can’t kill soul, but God can. It is more important to fear God. Notice that the soul is not immortal. It can be killed by the Lord. You are more important than a sparrow.
Rich Fool
12: 13-21		“Then one from the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’” ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you (for thinking only of yourself);…“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Do not worry about your life, what you shall eat… “Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”
Faithful and Unfaithful Servant
12: 35-48		After the parable above (Rich Fool), Jesus turns to the disciples. It appears to be for them only (see v. 41) “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.… For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.“
Barren Fig Tree
13: 6-9		Some present told Jesus about the recent slaughter of the Galileans by Pilate and the accident of the tower at Siloam. By Jesus answer, they seem to think these were judgements of God, which He denies. His answer clarifies what is necessary in each person’s life (ie repent or perish.)The fig tree Israel) bore no fruit for three years. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the keeper of the vineyard wanted a little more time (God’s patience and grace toward Israel). This time indicates that Israel would bear no fruit and would be cut down. Just as God was patient with Israel for 3 1/2 years of His physical visitation, God is patient with us to bear fruit. If not, we will be cut down (perish)
Mustard Seed
13: 18-19		The ruler of the Synagogue was indignant because Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath of an infirmity she had for eighteen years Kingdom of God is compared to a small seed that grows into a large tree where all of creation is benefited by it. A place to rest (nest). Israel had become exclusive and isolated itself from the rest of the world. They were hypocrites. For the individual, we should become like the tree where people can come and be at rest.
Leaven
13: 20-21		Same context as above. Jesus continuesThe leaven represents what happens with the kingdom of God it (yeast) begins to permeate after being introduced into society (dough).
Man invited to a party chooses best seat 14: 7-14Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He noticed how people chose the best seats when they came to the Sabbath dinner held by one of the rulers of the Pharisees. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Great Supper
14: 15-24		At the same dinner as explained above, a guest responds to Jesus parables by saying, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Various people make excuses because they are so busy and obviously uninterested in the supper (God’s kingdom). Those making excuses are the people of God who have been blessed by Him. So the invitation goes out to the lower rung of society, those who appear to be unblessed. (the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.). “I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”
Salt
14: 34-35		Great multitude following after Jesus. Jesus explains how they can become His disciple. They must leave all to follow Him and to “bear His cross.”Discipleship without devotion is like worthless salt that has lost its taste. It is worthless. “ It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill (rubbish heap), but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Lost Sheep
15: 1-7		Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Who are the real sinners? Those who feel they don’t need to repent.
Lost Coin 15 8-10Continuation of the above“…there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Lost Son
15: 11-32
Continuation of the above “your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”
Unjust Steward
15: 1-13 		Still in the context above, but He
turns to His disciples 		 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Rich Man and Lazarus
15: 19-31		Pharisees (who loved money) heard the parables above and turn their noses up at Jesus.If they did not understand Scriptures (Moses and Prophets)They would not believe in Jesus even if He rose from the dead.  ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
Persistent Widow
18: 1-8		Jesus had just told His disciples about the nature of His second coming“men always ought to pray and not lose heart, … when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Pharisee and the Tax Collector
18: 9:14		Same as above “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
 Minas
19: 11-27		He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ”
Wicked Vinedressers and the Cornerstone 20: 9-19chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him “He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.”…Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”
Fig Tree
21: 29-33		Disciples were showing (bragging) about the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus responds by telling them it would be destroyed. Then He talked about the signs and the nature of His second coming. He told them to beware of deception about His return.Watch for the signs!
 “When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.“

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

CONTEXT-PART 5-A STRING OF PARABLES

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Last time, we observed the lavish act of love by “a sinful woman” for Jesus (Luke7). She poured an alabaster flask of fragrant oil on the feet of Jesus and used her hair as a towel to soak up tears and an expensive box of perfume, The outpouring of her heart and the fragrant perfume filled the room with the sweet smell of her fondness for Jesus.

It became an awkward moment for the guests at the house of one of the Pharisees. The Pharisees, in particular , squirmed because Jesus seemed to be unaware of this woman’s sins. Jesus perceived their discomfort and he began the first parable recorded by Luke. The message of the parable was this: Whosoever has been forgiven much, loves much (v.47). The Pharisees had just as much to be forgiven, but their traditions and pride kept them back from seeking the payment of their debt through Jesus.

For Mary, she went away with her burden of debt removed. Her sins were forgiven. It would change her life forever.

What I like about the story is how this woman (likely Mary of Magdalene) shook up the formality of the moment by an act of love. As followers of Christ, our love for Jesus will make people uncomfortable. Lavish acts of love make people aware of their own condition . It may lead them to seek to know the Lord of love we worship. Your light of love is not to be covered up, but exposed for all the see…even if it makes them uncomfortable.

It is from this starting point that many parables are recorded by Luke. They are occasional and spread out through the first 11 chapters of the Luke, Then a turning point occurs at the end of Chapter 11. Jesus scolds the Pharisees for their religious hypocracy. He uses very direct language and begins each sentence with the word “woe”:

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

Luke 11: 42-44

Then Jesus turns to the Lawyers and tells them the truth about their hypocrisy. Here is just a snippet:

“And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 

Luke 11:46

This very direct sincere disclosure of their deepest sins angers them. They begin to turn on Him:

And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. Luke 11: 53-54

Then Jesus turns to his disciples and gives them warnings:

He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Luke 12: 1-2

Even here, Jesus uses the symbol of leaven, light and darkness. But what is important to note is that Jesus accelerates the use of parables. Partly because the Pharisees and Lawyers are looking to trap Him in his words so they can begin a smear campaign (accuse Him).

Beginning in this chapter, Jesus tells at least 18 more parables. Chapter 15 and 16 are all parables! There is another reason Jesus used parables besides cloaking the truth in stories and symbols as we will discover next time.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

context-part 4-A parable of extravagence

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In our last study (Part 3), we discovered a good way to understand Jesus’ parables. It is quite simple. The point is usually found at the end of the story. It is almost like reading the last chapter of the book. But if you do that alone, you miss or fail to appreciate the ending details as we will see in the parables recorded in Luke.

In the first four chapters, Luke records the lineage and the calling of the disciples, etc. In chapter 5, Jesus speaks plainly to the multitudes in his first sermon on the mount. In Chapter 6, Jesus gets crossways with the “righteous” Pharisees about the Sabbath. Their non-scriptural application of religious/cultural rules leads Jesus to proclaim Himself as the “Lord of the Sabbath.” This means, He created a literal day of rest and knows how it should be honored. Jesus’ conclusion about the Sabbath is: “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” and to “save life” Matthew 12:12, Luke 3:4

In chapter 7, Jesus heals the Centurions Servant and raises the Widow of Nain’s son. In the same chapter, a sinful woman washes the feet of Jesus, and her sins are forgiven. Luke tells us this was Mary, also called Magdalene (Luke 8:2). This incident with Mary sparks the first parable in the book. The story of the creditor and two debtors is given to Peter (and the crowd in the house) to help them understand a principal of God’s kingdom. Here is the truth at the end of the parable:

 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Luke 7: 47.

This truth is simple and to the point. The more the sins, the more the love for the One who has the power and authority to forgive. But let’s now read the entire parable:

 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  (In today’s US dollars, this is about $3,700 and $1,850, respectively. A significant sum in those days. ) And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?

Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil

“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Luke 7: 41-47

In this parable, Jesus begins with a story that is likely not an actual event, but a story about forgiveness of debt and the feeling of joy that comes from it. The more that was owed, the greater the feeling of burdens lifted. What a great experience of joy when debt is no longer part of our life!

My wife and I recently became totally debt free. We don’t owe any loans, credit cards, or mortgages. It has allowed us to take a deep breath and remove many worries. But the point in this parable is not only about literal debt, but rather it is about spiritual debt!

Mary loved Jesus for His compassion and non-judgmental attitude toward her. This likely preceded her sins being forgiven. Because it is not until after the parable is spoken and explained that Jesus forgives her sins and says,

“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Verse 48

Because she had “many sins.” Her feeling of great appreciation and love for Jesus must have grown even more when she heard those words that her debt of sins (primarily prostitution) was removed.

In my lifetime, I have observed that the “worst of sinners” often make the best evangelists for God. Their witness is dramatic and effective. They can’t keep their joy of forgiveness to themselves.

In the very next chapter 8, the number of women who minister to Jesus grows. They provide Jesus and the twelve with their own possessions (8: 1-3). Included among them was this same Mary whose sins were forgiven.

“…Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons.”

Luke 8: 2 last part

It is no wonder that Mary was extravagant with her love for Jesus and serving Him! She even gave to Jesus and His apostles her own possessions!

It is not God’s will that we are burdened by a mind heavy with the guilt of sin and helplessness. No matter what our sins may be or how many times we indulged in them, Jesus can give forgiveness and power over the demons of sin. A great feeling of freedom will come, and you cannot contain yourself in your service to God! Your possessions will belong to God.

This is the deep message of this simple parable.

In our society, today, pornography, adultery, fornication, and perversion are rampant and even justified. It is the sin of an indulgent self-centered society that ignores God. But with it comes guilt for many. For those who feel this burden of guilt, they can have the assurance of peace in their life through Jesus’ promises to “not condemn.” He has the ability and right to forgive sins and to provide the motivation and power to overcome the sins which “so easily ensnare us.”

“And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”.” John 8:11

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Do you want that feeling of joy, peace, and energy to serve Jesus? Do you want to be free from the power of sin? Cast all your burdens of sin and doubt upon Him. Sin is burdensome, but forgiveness is more powerful to the heart and soul. It will give you joy and peace that cannot be found anywhere else in this world.

How does one practically “cast all their burdens onto Jesus?” It always begins with praying to the Savior who hears your heart. Tell Him you have sinned and cannot bear the results and consequences. Ask for forgiveness and tell Him,

“I trust You to do what You have promised. “

Then believe you have forgiveness and stay close to Him (daily and moment by moment) through prayer, reading His word, and being active for His kingdom. A real experience is not inward, but rather it reaches out to those who need Him in one way or another.

My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5: 6-7

In our next study, we will look at a string of parables from the book of Luke and list the point of each. There is one parable in particular that has been greatly misunderstood because of tradition and an attack on God’s character of love. But its message is powerful if correctly understood.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

Context-Part 3-Parables

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“A text without context is a pretext”

All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,

Matthew 13:34


But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Mark 4:34

JESUS STYLE OF TEACHING AND EXPLAINING

Both Matthew and Mark note Jesus’ particular style of teaching. It was through the use of parables. In fact, both of them tell us when He spoke to the multitude, He always used a parable. So we can conclude that when Jesus is talking to a great number of people, He used objects, persons, or situations to not just tell an inspirational story, but to reveal a truth about the God and His kingdom. We should, therefore, be careful to force a literal application to a parable, but rather look for the message which almost always comes at the end of the parable.

There is another important fact we can glean from Matthew and Mark notes. It is in the last sentence of Mark’s account:

And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Mark 4:34

Jesus explained the parable to the disciples if they didn’t understand, Here is a good habit for us. When we are alone with Jesus, desire to know truth, and we are willing to follow him as a disciple, He will explain it to us, Since we are not in the literal presence of Jesus, we are promised the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus, to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). This would certainly include parables. But, like our last study on literalism, there are too many who want to turn a parable into something literal. Examples will be given in another study.

JESUS’ STYLE OF TEACHING WAS PROPHESIED

Jesus fulfilled the words of David who prophesied the Messiah would use parables:

I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
 Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us. Psalm 78:2-3

Understanding parables is an important part of understanding Jesus’ teaching, But as noticed from above. The truths that come forth from a parable is something “…we have heard and known.” It is not some new truth, but a well-known and documented truth from the Scriptures which are the writings of Moses, the Prophets, and Psalms.

 “...all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”

Luke 24: 44-45

Here we see Jesus calling the books we call the Old Testament, “Scriptures.” There was no New Testament when he spoke in parables. So you may ask, “How do I understand the parables?” As mentioned above, you must not be part of the crowd. You must be a disciple, Going to church to hear a preacher might inspire you, but it may not always reveal to you the deep things of God if your heart is not right.

Now this may seem harsh, but Jesus explained His use of parables after the disciples asked,

“Why do You speak to them in parables?”

Matthew 13:10

MORE OR NOTHING

“He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables,;

Matthew 11:11-13

Why was it given to the disciples to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven? Are we talking predestination here? It was because they were followers ready to do His bidding regardless of the popularity of majority at the time lead by the Scribes and the Pharisees. We can be that type of follower. Can’t we?

Also, it is a kingdom truth that the more you know, the more you will know….IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BE DOERS AND NOT HEARERS ONLY (James 1:22) James goes on to say we will deceive ourselves if we are not doers. Jesus said it another way,

“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine,.”

John 7:17

If you have a little knowledge and not willing to do God’s bidding, the little you have will be taken away and your experience will likely become legalistic or weak. This was the case of the Scribes and the Pharisees! They were not followers of the Messiah and were content in their knowledge of God and their traditions. They were doers, but the legalistic judgmental kind.

Jesus parable of the talents speaks to this, which ends with these words:

‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:29

Here is another way to understand parables. The message Jesus wants to get across is almost always given plainly at the end of the parable.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

Context part 2

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“A text without context is a pretext.”

In part 1, I used the example of how context can determine a course of literalism or symbolism. One of Jesus’ statements bewildered some disciples and the sneaky religious leaders:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6: 53, 54

Because of literalism, it caused some disciples to walk away and never follow Him again. It was a difficult saying to understand on the surface.“ Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this, said,

“This is a hard (difficult) saying; who can understand it?”

These are the surface readers and those who don’t listen closely. Often, they are lazy and desire quick and plain answers. Especially answers that fit their own way of thinking or beloved traditions. Others want to force the literalism and therefore miss the point that Jesus made regarding the words of God. Who can understand it? It is those who listen closely to context and love Him. His point can easily be lifted out of the symbolism as he explained to the twelve who stuck by him. even though their understanding of His kingdom was still growing.

They comprehended Jesus was comparing bread with words, and His blood with sacrifice. By these two things a person has eternal life and will “be raised up in the last day “(Verse 39, 40, 44). If not, they will not be “raised up at the last day.”

A steady diet of Jesus’ words will give real life-saving faith. Here are the plain words that a majority of the crowd missed:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Verse 63

God’s Spirit are contained in the words! How can that be? Let’s use a real-life example:To eat breakfast and skip on eating God’s words every day results in deterioration of the soul. A famous evangelist once said, “Little time with God, little faith. Much time with God, much faith.”

If we are not reading and digesting God’s word every day, we will become spiritually skinny, weak, and die. We may be overweight on the outside, but starving on the inside. Remember, you must do the spiritual eating yourself. You can’t have your pastor or anyone else eat for you.

So, turn off those recordings and let God talk to you directly. Also keep in mind, it is not the habit of reading that helps, it is the understanding of God through this exercise and then doing his will (John 4:34). As James said,

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

Please do not turn daily devotions in a works oriented exercise. If you miss a day or two, it doesn’t mean you are lost. Now how about those who would force literalism into this sermon of Jesus? Yes, it has happened in our world over the ages. Have you heard of transubstantiation? In the Roman Catholic church, during the taking of the Eucharist (Lord’s supper for the Protestants), the priest claims that he turns the bread and the wine into the literal body and blood of Christ even though the bread and the wine remain the same in their appearance. Thereby, the literal body and blood of Jesus are consumed! It totally discounts the point Jesus makes about the context and connection of living by His words.

Therefore, the message of Jesus is turned from an important spiritual lesson regarding eternal life and growing spiritually to a religious ceremony with all its pomp and display. As He said,

“It the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Verse 63

If the audience that day had listened closely, and had only a slight understanding of Jesus and the context of His ministry, they would have known Jesus was using symbolism to make a spiritual point of vital importance. It is a point that separates many church goers into those who are real and growing and those who have the “form of godliness, but deny the power.” 2 Timothy 3:5Tomorrow, we will look at the symbolism contained in parables.

Good Bible Interpretation, Reasons to Believe

Context-Part 1

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A popular and witty saying among Bible Teachers goes like this,“

A text without context is a pretext.”

Pretext, in the spiritual context, is a justification to act or establish some religious beliefs based on a misapplication of a verse or two.” A good understanding of context will help a Bible reader know when to take passages as literal or symbolic. This we learned in a recent year-long zoom study of Daniel and Revelation. Both Daniel and Revelation are highly symbolic, but they also contain literal scenes and truths. It is the lazy man’s way to say, “The whole Bible is symbolic.” This implies no one can understand God’s word and therefore we are unable to apply its literal applications.

A powerful example using context and therefore discerning between literalism/symbolism is found in John 6.

“Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is [drink indeed.” John 6: 53-55

Wow! That sure sounds like Jesus is promoting cannibalism! But, if the religious teachers and disciples had just listened closely to ALL the words of Jesus (Context), they would know He was using symbols of bread and drink to tell a very important truth about eternal life and living a strong life in Him. But, some of the disciples were so confused that they never followed Him again,

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more (verse 66).

This they did even after hearing Jesus’ explanation,

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Verse 63

If they had been listening to the context of what Jesus had said before, they would have been prepared for this symbolic reference to God’s word. Jesus said in Matthew 4,

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Verse 4

Jesus is quoting from the Book of Moses in Deuteronomy 8:30. Here God’s words are like bread that gives live (Spiritual life). The Twelve seemed to understand Him. Jesus asked them a question that Peter quickly answered showing He and the others closest to Him understood,

“Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE. (Verse 67, 68)“

Another form of spiritual nourishment is found in the story of the woman at the well. Jesus’ disciples brought Him some food and He said,

“I have food to eat of which you do not know” (John 4:32).The disciples wondered, “Where did He get food?” He said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” (verse 34).

So, when we do the will of Christ, we’re feeding our souls.

What is the spiritual lesson from Jesus’ reference to eating His flesh and drinking His blood? Do we take it literal? No! Jesus compares His words to bread or food. His blood is believing and trusting in His sacrifice for us. We need his “flesh” and “blood” every day to live. Just as we need food every day to live literally, we need to eat God’s words (read), absorb it (understand), and apply it to stay alive.

We must thirst and hunger after righteousness and then be satisfied in our souls by God’s word. This must be a daily ongoing experience for the believer, otherwise, we will find ourselves growing skinny, weak, and then dying from lack of spiritual substance. We must feed ourselves; we can’t depend on someone else to eat for us.

The result of “eating His flesh” and “drinking his blood” is this: Jesus will

“raise us up in the last days.”

This term is used 4 times in this chapter alone. What does this mean? It is the resurrection when Jesus comes in the last day! Wow! What a wonderful thought. A different topic for a different time. Next time we will look at how some religious teachers of today have taken this story and tried to turn it into a literal application of eating his flesh and drinking His blood.

Inspiration

PURE RELIGION

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Have you heard this statement? “So heavenly minded that he (she) is no earthly good.”?

Can we become so concerned about our religious routines, ceremonies, getting to heaven, and acts of worship that we are of little use to those around us….including, sadly, our own families?

Is our religion filled with the Christian dialect that only other religious people understand? Do we earnestly protect and hold fast to denominational arguments in order to feel comfortable and superior in our “religion? Are we more concerned about being right than the needs of others? In other words, are we more religious than real?

Jesus had a lot to say about this. To the clean-looking religious people of His day He said,

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27

These were very religious people who turned God’s royal law of liberty (James 1:25) into burdens to the people Their religion became a list of do’s and don’ts. It was all about the list and not the Lord. Appearances meant every thing to them. Is that still the case today?

But the ones who loved Jesus, loved people and became servants. Why? Because Jesus set the example in His life. He said,

“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,” Matthew 28:20

His followers did things to relieve suffering and shared the path or good news that brings freedom and relief to hurting souls through Jesus. This didn’t get rid of God’s simple 10 commandments, but gave them power to resist the strength of sin and focus on servitude for the Lord. Their focus was on the Lord and following Him to relieve all sorts of suffering rather than being religious. Their story was not about weekly routines of “going to church,” but teaching, preaching and serving people.

The real followers of Jesus are easily identified as is the fruit on a tree. They are doers. They put others before themselves even their religion

Jesus asked, ““But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

The real followers of Jesus don’t seek to save their lives, they seek to lose it. They don’t count the costs. They put their hand to the plow and don’t look back! They move forward in faith without worry about the obstacles. If they move forward, they know the Lord will provide the resources.

“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9: 62

He who looks back is not concentrating on the task at hand.. He is, at best, a halfhearted worker.

Jesus’s brother James gives us the definition of pure religion. It has nothing to do with perfect theology, going to church, the church building, or even your morning/evening devotions. It has to do with servitude and not following the selfish ways of the world.

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27

When Jesus returns, He will not look at your church attendance nor the money you gave to keep up a building and pay the bills, Here is what He will say,

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Matthew 25: 34-36

If we fail to be servants, He will say,

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Matthew 25: 41-43

Is your religion real? If servitude for Jesus is difficult for you to do, but religion is easy…maybe you have not been reborn. Jesus is knocking at your door. Open it and invite Him in…then become a servant.

The Law of God

MEMO TO JESUS

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The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Matthew 5:17

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Memo to:       Jesus

Date:                    May 19, 2001

From:                   Board of Directors for the Church on Earth

RE:                         Management Style

Good Morning Jesus,

I hate to bring this up, but some of us in your church are uncomfortable with a few things you have said and we want to suggest a few changes in your management style.  Below are a few things we have documented (with references) to give you an idea of where we are coming from. Let’s start with your speech at the mountain. Here are your exact words as recorded by Matthew:

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19

John also recorded this:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15

“He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4

“Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.” 1 John 2:7

We understand what you are saying, but we want to be sure your management style is  a little easier  and more in line with what everyone else is doing.  We feel your communications are a little narrow.  As a church, we don’t want to come across to our folks as legalistic and too strict. We want to respect the feelings of everyone.

Also, the board of directors have decided that your “commandments” are old school and actually no longer necessary since the culture of our church is focused on grace and, after all, we are living in the 21st century.  We also feel that since you have kept the commandments, there is no need to follow them as strictly as you did.  We appreciate your example, but we aren’t up to that kind of lifestyle.  Anyway, it is also our understanding that it is impossible to obey your laws and we are living under grace.  Therefore there is no need to obey any longer.

Therefore, please see the recommended changes below.  We will start with the 10 commandments below (in red).  Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

  1. “You shall have no other gods before Me.  No big changes here.  It is OK. I see where you are coming from, but we should be careful to not offend anyone who may give all their time and attention to making money and accumulating things.  Also, their sports, music, and entertainment give them joy.  So we suggest we not be too strict and not make a big deal about it. These people still show up at church for an hour or two on the weekend.  That should be enough.
  2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor [b]serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting[c] the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.  This has already been eliminated in the Catechism,  The church has statues, pictures, and things as part of their worship service.  Again, this commandment does not go along with what a majority are doing.  It’s not that big of a deal, they are not actually worshiping the image anyway.
  3. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.  There should be an exception for those people in TV, movies, and people that are angry. We should also allow for people to use the word Jesus as an extension to an exclamation in a sentence.
  4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.  This should read: Go to church and worship every Sunday Everybody is busy on Saturdays to keep it holy even if it is in honor of your creation. Anyway, a majority of the people go to church on the  first day of the week in honor of your resurrection.   Although I can’t find this change in any of your writings, I am certain that tradition carries enough weight to make this change. Most have already changed it anyway.  Their thinking is this is for the Jews only even though the Sabbath was instituted long before there was a Jew.  Isn’t it legalistic to honor a whole day anyway? 
  5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. An exception should be made if they don’t live up to your expectations or hurt you in any way.  Maybe they could donate some money to avoid having to follow this one.  
  6. “You shall not murder.  This is a good one. Again an exception should be made for a child not yet born who is not wanted and is an inconvenience to the mother and father.
  7. “You shall not commit adultery. Of course,  if people are living together this is not applicable because that is what everyone is doing anyway.  Should this apply also to the same-sex couple? Oh yes, we forgot to let you know that we have determined that one woman and one man for marriage doesn’t fit today’s society.  We don’t want to exclude anyone, so we took the liberty to allow marriage between the same-sex.  I am sure you understand.
  8. “You shall not steal. Again a good rule, but let’s allow for situations where stealing is necessary for survival or if they really want something and don’t have enough money to buy it.
  9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Unless the situation calls for it where telling the truth will get someone in trouble. Again, we should consider the situation.
  10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” This is definitely old school. Who has an ox, a donkey, or a servant?  People want what other people have. It gives them the drive to accumulate as much as one can possibly obtain to be happy.

Jesus, we know you will understand.  Thank you for efforts to change our hearts, but some feel very comfortable in their weekly routines of simply showing up for church and being nice to people.

Respectfully Yours,

The church board of directors

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As crazy as this memo sounds, this is exactly what is happening in both the world and, sadly, in many churches.  While we know that faith in the death and resurrection of Christ saves us, it does not give us the authority to change one sentence in His eternal law.  How would Jesus respond to this?  How about Peter James and John?

Jesus: “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7:7

Paul: Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. ” Romans 3:31

John: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12

James:  be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ..For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty James 1:22, 2: 10-22

Solomon: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28