Matthew 22:2-10 - “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests."
God is this king and His Son is Jesus. The wedding, the gathering or feast, is the Kingdom of Heaven. The servants are those who proclaim His gospel, who invite others to come into relationship with Christ, who could be rejected, even murdered, for their testimony and invitation. As you see, the king was angry with the people who mistreated His servants!
There will be a wedding feast prepared for His beloved...those who call Him Lord and Savior. This will be the feast of all feasts and a culmination of the calling and inviting of people on earth. Many will have been invited, but few actually will be at that table. Many will disregard the whole idea. When that day comes, like in another scripture about the last days, people will be too busy to heed the call. They will be about their lives, eating and drinking and being too merry to heed the invitation, making excuses.
I am also reminded of how God's people, the Jews, rejected Jesus as their Messiah (The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.) He then included the Gentiles, any who would be willing to receive Christ His Son as their Lord and Savior (Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.) The good and the bad referred to: those of good character and morally sound, and criminals, murderers, etc...both of whom are sinful and in need of saving...like we all are.
There will be judgment for those who have chosen not to come. Jesus doesn't call those who think they are worthy. He came to save the sinner. He came to heal the sick (in spirit). He doesn't look for the smartest, bravest, richest, proudest, or ones who have made it to the top in their own strength. He calls those who have humbled themselves before God, who have realized they are a sinner in need of a Savior.
Those worthy of being seated at the table will enjoy a marvelous marriage supper with the Lamb. A marriage made in heaven! A blessing to those who have accepted the invitation. Jesus will be seated among His true friends and followers. Don't let the invitation be ignored. Let's be sure we can join Him for this, the grandest of wedding feasts.
“Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation19:9)
Showing posts with label Parable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parable. Show all posts
Friday, February 21, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Parable of the Landowner
Matthew 20:1-7 - For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’
Here we have a landowner. He needs help to work in his vineyard. He goes out to hire. His agreement, if you look closely, is a denarius a day. At the end of this day all the laborers gather for their earnings. Each is given a denarius and a commotion arises when those who worked all day got the same as those who worked an hour or two. Those were the conditions...a denarius a day.
The landowner can be viewed as God. The vineyard is the world. The workers, those who have given their lives to Christ. Whether we come into relationship with Him early in life or at the end, He treats us equally. Some may have worked a very long time for Him...and may be granted more eternal rewards...but all are part of His Kingdom.
When we receive Christ what difference should it make here on earth? It's all about our eternal life anyway since we will be there longer than here! God has enough to give to all people, according to their needs. He will heal all hearts, for sure, when they receive Christ. Healing bodies is part of His will also. But sometimes He heals to show His glory and boost faith in an individual...or for someone else to bring them into His kingdom. Or He won't heal to keep a person relying on His strength and not his own. His will. He is God.
It was His will also to choose to pay each person the same amount for inequal amounts of work. Some were called to work and they accepted. Others did not. But those who were chosen got paid. Same with Christ. Some will be called and receive Him, some never will. All who receive have their debt paid. Shouldn't that make us grateful enough to not grouse? There's a supernatural thing that takes place. God is here for all people and there's enough of Him to go around! And we are all equal in His sight when we have chosen to believe, receive, trust and have faith in Him. Hallelujah! If He has or is calling, decide to choose lest you become one of the "few" He alludes to.
Matthew 20:14-16 - Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.
Here we have a landowner. He needs help to work in his vineyard. He goes out to hire. His agreement, if you look closely, is a denarius a day. At the end of this day all the laborers gather for their earnings. Each is given a denarius and a commotion arises when those who worked all day got the same as those who worked an hour or two. Those were the conditions...a denarius a day.
The landowner can be viewed as God. The vineyard is the world. The workers, those who have given their lives to Christ. Whether we come into relationship with Him early in life or at the end, He treats us equally. Some may have worked a very long time for Him...and may be granted more eternal rewards...but all are part of His Kingdom.
When we receive Christ what difference should it make here on earth? It's all about our eternal life anyway since we will be there longer than here! God has enough to give to all people, according to their needs. He will heal all hearts, for sure, when they receive Christ. Healing bodies is part of His will also. But sometimes He heals to show His glory and boost faith in an individual...or for someone else to bring them into His kingdom. Or He won't heal to keep a person relying on His strength and not his own. His will. He is God.
It was His will also to choose to pay each person the same amount for inequal amounts of work. Some were called to work and they accepted. Others did not. But those who were chosen got paid. Same with Christ. Some will be called and receive Him, some never will. All who receive have their debt paid. Shouldn't that make us grateful enough to not grouse? There's a supernatural thing that takes place. God is here for all people and there's enough of Him to go around! And we are all equal in His sight when we have chosen to believe, receive, trust and have faith in Him. Hallelujah! If He has or is calling, decide to choose lest you become one of the "few" He alludes to.
Matthew 20:14-16 - Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21-23 - Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants."
As I was rereading this parable this morning, wouldn't you know it spoke to a situation I was in at the moment. Ugh!
Here we have a parable about a king with presumably many servants. One servant in particular owed the king a lot of money and could not repay his debt. The king was going to sell this servant and his family to regain that debt. But the servant pleaded with him not to, saying he would repay all he owed. The king had compassion on him and released him from all debt.
The parable continues: That same servant then went about looking for a fellow servant who owed him money and demanded he pay him. That man also was in the same situation where he could not repay. Instead of offering the same forgiveness as the king had given him, the first servant threw his fellow servant into prison. The other fellow servants saw this and being grieved told their master, the king.
The king called for the first man and issued this statement: You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? Being angry the king sent him to be tortured till the debt to him was paid. In fact, Jesus made this comment regarding not forgiving: So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.
Like I said, this spoke to a situation I was in that moment. It's one of those cases where your patience with someone else's behavior is like nails on a blackboard and you just want it to go away but it doesn't. I knew my patience had been tried...and I failed miserably. This person was just being who she is.
I spent some time in prayer over how I was to ask for forgiveness. I didn't dwell on it because I knew God would show me at the right moment. He didn't fail! We had a few moments alone and I just asked for her forgiveness for being so crabby. She asked why I thought I was; she hadn't noticed! Of course I couldn't say why. So a hug later all was well. Yes, we are to ask for forgiveness even when it isn't our fault. Forgiveness begins somewhere and, after all, she "knew not what she did." The air of heaviness was lifted. And I believe since I had done my part, He is the One who lifted the heaviness, a sign of His forgiveness toward me for my sinful attitude.
Look at Jesus as this king. He has compassion on all who come directly to Him and ask for forgiveness of their sins. When anyone shows this type of humility, He will release them from their debt. The price has been paid, the sins forgiven and forgotten (by God). We have been set free: Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
But there still is the other side to this. If we continue to harbor bitterness or unforgiveness, refusing to let it go, God will not forgive us. Like the wheat and the tares, a time will come for the plucking of the bad from the good...and the tossing of the bad into the Lake of Fire. Don't be deceived into thinking God will have mercy on everyone in the end.
When I got to church, I wept during worship, like it was for the peace I felt at having been lightened of an ugly feeling. I felt so grateful. The message then was on the times Jesus wept...for His friends (believers, like me), His people (the Church) and the world (the lost). All I wanted to do was thank Him. And as the pastor asked, Aren't tears sometimes communication when words just aren't enough? I know what he meant.
Luke 6:37 - Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
As I was rereading this parable this morning, wouldn't you know it spoke to a situation I was in at the moment. Ugh!
Here we have a parable about a king with presumably many servants. One servant in particular owed the king a lot of money and could not repay his debt. The king was going to sell this servant and his family to regain that debt. But the servant pleaded with him not to, saying he would repay all he owed. The king had compassion on him and released him from all debt.
The parable continues: That same servant then went about looking for a fellow servant who owed him money and demanded he pay him. That man also was in the same situation where he could not repay. Instead of offering the same forgiveness as the king had given him, the first servant threw his fellow servant into prison. The other fellow servants saw this and being grieved told their master, the king.
The king called for the first man and issued this statement: You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? Being angry the king sent him to be tortured till the debt to him was paid. In fact, Jesus made this comment regarding not forgiving: So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.
Like I said, this spoke to a situation I was in that moment. It's one of those cases where your patience with someone else's behavior is like nails on a blackboard and you just want it to go away but it doesn't. I knew my patience had been tried...and I failed miserably. This person was just being who she is.
I spent some time in prayer over how I was to ask for forgiveness. I didn't dwell on it because I knew God would show me at the right moment. He didn't fail! We had a few moments alone and I just asked for her forgiveness for being so crabby. She asked why I thought I was; she hadn't noticed! Of course I couldn't say why. So a hug later all was well. Yes, we are to ask for forgiveness even when it isn't our fault. Forgiveness begins somewhere and, after all, she "knew not what she did." The air of heaviness was lifted. And I believe since I had done my part, He is the One who lifted the heaviness, a sign of His forgiveness toward me for my sinful attitude.
Look at Jesus as this king. He has compassion on all who come directly to Him and ask for forgiveness of their sins. When anyone shows this type of humility, He will release them from their debt. The price has been paid, the sins forgiven and forgotten (by God). We have been set free: Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
But there still is the other side to this. If we continue to harbor bitterness or unforgiveness, refusing to let it go, God will not forgive us. Like the wheat and the tares, a time will come for the plucking of the bad from the good...and the tossing of the bad into the Lake of Fire. Don't be deceived into thinking God will have mercy on everyone in the end.
When I got to church, I wept during worship, like it was for the peace I felt at having been lightened of an ugly feeling. I felt so grateful. The message then was on the times Jesus wept...for His friends (believers, like me), His people (the Church) and the world (the lost). All I wanted to do was thank Him. And as the pastor asked, Aren't tears sometimes communication when words just aren't enough? I know what he meant.
Luke 6:37 - Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)