#parables of jesus christ

[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!

[apenitentialprayer]

Okay, one of the things I find very fascinating about Fulton Sheen is his subversive, purposely scandalous rhetoric.

Christ is a tempter and seducer who lures us towards Him with the promise of unbelievable love.

The Repentant Thief Dismas died repentant, but not of his thievery; after all, "may we not say that the thief died a thief, for he stole Paradise?"

Christ is the Prodigal Son, having gone out into the World and spent His Inheritance on the things of the world (i.e., us)

[alasse-earfalas]

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. - Matthew 13:44-46 KJV

I was listening to this song about v. 44 above, and it struck me that the treasure the man found was far more valuable than the purchase price of the field. Selling "all that he had" was hardly a sacrifice for the man, compared with what he knew he would gain by buying that field. Likewise, when we give our all to the Lord, we find in time that the Lord gives us far more in return.

Unlike the man in the first parable, who happened upon his treasure, the merchant was actively searching for "goodly pearls". And he found one: a "pearl of great price". It was of such a high value that the merchant, like the man with the field, was willing to sacrifice all that he had in order to obtain it. No doubt he knew the value of pearls and had come across many already. No doubt he understood just how priceless this singular pearl was. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7). Those who honestly seek the truth will find it, and will understand the eternal value of what they have found.

No matter how we come by the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether by happenstance or by diligent search, the same sacrifice is asked of each of us: "all that [we] have". But the return is far greater: eternal life in the presence of God.

That is why the kingdom of heaven is like the man and the merchant: because it is filled with those who understand this, filled with those who sacrificed all other treasures for the matchless gift to be there.

[faithfulreflections]

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, as recounted in Luke 15:11-32, is a testament to the depth of God's forgiveness and unwavering love. This story introduces us to the loving Father, the disobedient Prodigal Son, and the angry Elder Son, through whom Jesus conveys profound spiritual truths that should fill us with awe and reverence. 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). After squandering his inheritance, the younger son makes a pivotal decision that fills us with hope and resolves to return home. This repentance signifies the transformative power of recognizing our sins and seeking God's forgiveness. The Father's immediate action of running to meet his son, embracing him, and ordering a grand celebration captures the essence of God's grace. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). 

The Father's actions are not just a response to his son's return but a profound reflection of God's grace. The robe, the ring, and the sandals symbolize more than reinstated sonship and honor; they reflect how God forgives and restores our identity and dignity in His family. "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:7). 

The older son's reaction is not just a character attribute but a profound lesson on self-righteousness and the importance of grace. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment" (Romans 12:3). His resentment reminds us to embrace humility and mercy. The Father's compassionate response, "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours" (Luke 15:31), emphasizes God's freely given love and blessings, filling us with gratitude and humility. 

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8). This parable encourages us to lead lives characterized by repentance, humility, and joy in God's presence. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 5:17, we become new creations through Christ, embracing the latest and leaving behind the old. Let us seek the Lord with repentant hearts, rejoicing in His restoration and renewal. 

May we fully embrace our roles as recipients of God's grace, extend that grace to others, and experience the transformative power of His love. 

P.S. Please look at the links below for a detailed discussion of the blog post.

Detailed Blog Post

[myremnantarmy]

𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥

Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Mt 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.

Such large crowds gathered around him

that he got into a boat and sat down,

and the whole crowd stood along the shore.

And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:

“A sower went out to sow.

And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,

and birds came and ate it up.

Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.

It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,

and when the sun rose it was scorched,

and it withered for lack of roots.

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.

But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,

a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.

Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

[lo-fag]

I’m completely normal about this video and I will never draw jack. ever.

[hrsquotes]

In Luke 15, Jesus teaches via three parables. The first of these is what is commonly called "The Parable of The Lost Sheep," found in verses 4-7. 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

We do not follow anyone because we are good followers. We follow them because we believe them to be a good leader, whether they truly are or not. And many times we tend to change who we are following because we no longer see our leaders as viable, having to search to new ones.

Throughout Bible, Jesus is often referred to as a shepherd, or The Good Shepherd, while we as believers are often referred to the lambs of the Shepherd. Though sheep are actually quite intelligent, they have a propensity to wonder off away from the flock & do their own thing, causing the shepherd to have to recount how many are still in the flock. Jesus will always lead us on a holy, righteous path, a path towards eternal glory, leaving the flock if necessary, to find any sheep that have wondered off. In terms of humanity, many, many, many people have wondered off.

If you want to follow someone, someone who will never let you down, someone who is eternally perfect, Jesus is always the correct choice to have as your leader.

[dilutedh2so4]

Neighbours

In Luke 10, Jesus tells us to love our neighbours. A lawyer wanting to test him asks, “Who is my neighbour?”

Jesus answers with the Parable of the Good Samaritan, then asks his own question to the lawyer. Jesus modifies the lawyer's original question: from who is my neighbour, to who acted like the neighbour.

Your neighbour is not inherently someone who is of the same race, nationality, or religion: anything. Your neighbour is someone - anyone! - who treats you as a fellow human being.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" 27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, 34 and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." — Luke 10:25-37 | 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: Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Deuteronomy 6:24; Leviticus 18:15; Leviticus 19:18; Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 10:5; Matthew 18:28; Matthew 19:16; Matthew 24:34; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:52; Luke 10:38; Luke 16:15; Luke 18:31; Luke 19:28

[dailychristianblog]

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

[thelordismylightandmysalvation]

The Parable of the Sower ~ Mark 4:1-9 (NIV)

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Graphic via Verse of the Day - Mark 4:9

[apenitentialprayer]

I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well.

Samwise Gamgee (J.R.R. Tolkien's The Return of the King)

[hailomadius]

Me trying to explain to my vaguely religious mother that Dionysus and Jesus may actually be two aspects of the same diety

[sam-dugesian]

David Attenborough

The only human worth mentioning

And the most likely candidate

for the reincarnation of Jesus Christ

I don't care who that offends

I will die on that hill

If my death was even possible

[angedemystere]

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away. - George Eliot

[wecanbeperfect]

THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN

Matthew 24:32 Now learn the parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.