#parables of Jesus

[lionofchaeronea]

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, William Blake, ca. 1799-1800

[heresylog]

Happy mid advent! Could you perhaps explain the symbolism of the cursing of the fig tree? I know it goes deeper than Jesus being hungry but I never really grasped it.

Hello! I love talking about the fig tree. I think the Fig Tree Cursing makes sense if you read John 15:1-6.

To paraphrase, Jesus talks about being a vine and that to bear “fruit” we must go through him.

Fruit here means spiritual fruits and being connected to God and making time to pray. When Jesus cursed the fig tree he is upset that even under the perfect conditions of bearing fruit (the leaves were lush) there were no figs. He’s upset when people have a chance to grow deeper in their faith choose not to.

[shutterandsentence]

"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish."

-Matthew 18:12-14

Photo: Scottish Highlands, UK

[walkswithmyfather]

Matthew 13:10-13 (NASB 1995). “And the disciples came and said to Him, Why do You speak to them in parables?"

Jesus answered them, 'To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.

For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.

Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.'”

“A Hidden Kingdom” By InTouch Ministries:

“In His timing, God will reveal everything we need to know.”

“Jesus’ teaching about His kingdom was sometimes direct, with the Sermon on the Mount serving as a prime example. In the Beatitudes and the other teachings of that sermon, Jesus explained how to live as a kingdom citizen. “When you fast …,” He said. “When you pray ...”

At other times, Jesus revealed His kingdom through parables. These simple stories, which use familiar characters or scenes to convey rich truths, are easy to understand. “The sower went out to sow,” one parable begins. The story then tells what happens when the seed falls on different kinds of soil. But parables have a deeper meaning, too. Even the disciples needed help interpreting some of them.

Jesus still speaks to us today—in the words of Scripture and through the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ. And though the “secret” is out, we may feel that we lack understanding. In different seasons of life, we may experience clarity on spiritual questions we struggled with in the past. Or things that once appeared simple suddenly seem mysteriously complex.

Part of our growth is in learning to accept God’s timing, even when it comes to understanding Scripture. Whatever season we find ourselves in—whether a time of clarity or confusion— humility in approaching the Lord is essential. We can trust that He will reveal all we need to know. No hand-wringing required.”

[Photo by Will Truettner at Unsplash]

[tenthcelestialsphere]

The Good Samaritan

George Frederic Watts

1852

[tail-feathers]

I’m always expanding my understanding of the meaning of this parable.

This time: A Neighbor is “someone in your personal presence” regardless of their religion, gender, race or nationality.

A worthy read.

[favour3d]

Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV)

Sowing the seed

The beginning of the year is the time when individuals want to make changes in their lives for development but, it’s important to understand what kind of seed we are sowing in our lives. As Christians, it’s vital that we feed the spirit and not our flesh as this results in sin. In verse 8, it highlights the dangers of satisfying the flesh which leads to decay and death.

There are two questions you must ask yourself:

Am I sowing to the flesh or

Am I sowing to the spirit

Accountability is significant. Everything you do is a seed.

Your attention (where you focus your time)

Your decisions (the choices you make)

Your actions (the things you physically do)

Think for a moment does it glorify God? Personally I am working on myself too as i am focusing my time in the book of James to really understand what it means to be Christ like.

Let us sow to the spirit (God). Make time for God so that He will be able to cultivate faith, hope and love in us.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; 25 and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; 33 and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” — Matthew 18:23-35 | Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 4:24; Exodus 21:2-3; Leviticus 25:39; 1 Chronicles 29:7; Proverbs 21:13; Proverbs 28:3; Matthew 2:11; Matthew 5:7; Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 7:24; Matthew 8:2; Matthew 13:24; Matthew 14:9; Matthew 18:15; Matthew 25:15-16; Mark 6:37; Mark 11:26; Luke 7:42-43; Luke 17:4; Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:7; James 2:13

[meivanguedesposts]

Quatro Mulheres e a Vontade de Deus (Reflexão)

O Homem Que Queria Ver Jesus

(Re)aprendendo a Olhar o Outro

O Jovem Que Pensava Saber Tudo

Um Luto Que Termina em Festa

[lionofchaeronea]

Parable of the Lost Piece of Silver, Godfried Schalcken, ca. 1680

[universal-truths777]

Who's God?

[jannetstopit]

"Holy lamb" - the art made by me for my friends. it was inspired by The Parable of the Lost Sheep from "Matthew 18:12–14" and "Luke 15:3–7". and I'm not an artist at all, so if there's any mistakes, then sorry.

so the halo behind the lamb also works as a sun on this drawing. by the time I gave this to my friends who host Bible studies, I did not know about the story at all. me, as an atheist, just wanted to draw something and gift it to them as my gratitude for inviting me to study Bible and know more about it. and I always saw these paintings of Jesus holding a lamb and I kinda thought that lamb was some kind of holy symbol or smth like that(I know, I'm dumb😭🙏). so I drew this and gifted to them, and they were like "oh, it's like the parable of the lost sheep!" and I'm like "whaaaaattt really??". so the gift become more significant than I actually intended. they told me about the story and I found myself thinking about the parallels of me and that lamb. it was as like as if I was lost just like that lamb and someone found me(by someone I might mean my friends or Jesus, I couldn't decide). I'm grateful to have friends who are sharing their knowledge with me and not forcing me to believe in something that I simply can't for my own reasons. or who knows maybe I do believe, but too stubborn to admit. anyways. this painting is significant for me, too.

[cinderpresss]

The 30 Parables of Jesus Study Book: A Practical and Easy-to-Understand Perspective

Discover the timeless wisdom and profound teachings of Jesus through His parables with "The 30 Parables of Jesus Study Book: A Practical and Easy-to-Understand Perspective." This study guide is designed for readers of all backgrounds, offering a fresh and accessible approach to understanding the parables that have inspired and guided millions for centuries.

Features:

Explore the deeper meanings and contexts of each parable with simple and clear explanations.

Engage with thought-provoking questions that encourage personal reflection and group discussion, making it perfect for individual or small group study.

Gain a better understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of Jesus' time, enhancing your appreciation of His teachings.

Incorporate the teachings into your spiritual practice with prayers and suggestions for worship related to each parable.

Continue your study with recommended readings and resources for deeper exploration of the parables' themes and messages.

Why You'll Love This Book:

"The 30 Parables of Jesus Study Book" offers a clear and practical guide to understanding and applying the wisdom of the parables. Each chapter is designed to be engaging and easy to follow, ensuring that readers of all levels can benefit from the profound lessons contained within these timeless stories.

Unlock the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven and discover how the parables of Jesus can transform your life with this essential study book. Dive into the teachings that have shaped faith and spirituality for generations, and see how they can speak to you today in a fresh and meaningful way.

Get your copy of "The 30 Parables of Jesus Study Book: A Practical and Easy-to-Understand Perspective" and embark on a journey of spiritual growth and enlightenment!

[piano-hoarder]

This actually makes me so happy.

Christ used parables and allegories so His audiences could relate to His teachings. He taught about fish, wine, coins, and sheep, because many in that time were fishermen, drank wine, held each coin precious, or were shepherds. He taught about the things that made sense and were important to those who listened.

If Christ were to teach an audience today, He might teach instead about puzzles, mortgage, grocery shopping, or gas prices. The Lord of All comes down to our level so we can understand.

What man of you having 99 jigsaw puzzle pieces and missing 1, does not leave the 99 pieces on the table, and go in search of the 1? And when he has found it he calls his neighbors saying to them "rejoice with me, for i have found my jigsaw puzzle piece that was lost...."

[testifytolove]

Can I tell you something that is heavily understated….:Walk with Jesus this week and see how he spoke in parables.