Tag: parable

Week 39: Sabbath Made for Man

“‘…Have you never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?  How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?’ And he said unto them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.’”  Mark 2:25-28

“…Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them, which were with him, but only for the priests?  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I WILL HAVE MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE, YE WOULD NOT HAVE CONDEMNED THE GUILTLESS.  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”  Matthew 12:3-8

“‘…Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread , and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?’ And he said unto them, ‘That the son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.’”  Luke 6:3-5

My Summary & Reflection

Jesus tells the story of when David was hungry and he and his followers entered a temple and ate the offering that had been reserved for the priests.  This act by David would have been considered unlawful. Jesus tells this story in response to criticism that Jesus and his disciples were receiving for walking through the fields and eating corn from the stalk on the sabbath.  This act by Jesus was accused of being unlawful as well.  Jesus responds by saying that the sabbath law itself was made for man and not the other way around.  He noted that he himself was the Lord of the sabbath day.

In this way, I think that Jesus was pointing out how misguided people were in focusing on rules and procedures instead of the needs of their neighbors.  By always trying to catch someone in the act of a violation, without examining the spirit behind the laws, they were condemning the guiltless.  The laws were not meant as a stick by which to beat each other up, but as a guide to help people get and stay on the right path.  The sabbath was given as a gift to man, not as a trap in which to catch and then punish people.

We all have to look at our need to criticize someone else’s adherence to the laws of God.  Our focus should be on whether we are being loving to God and loving to our neighbors.  God serves as his own judge.

Your Reflection

  • Do you have the desire to be judgmental toward your neighbors?
  • Are you helping your neighbors or hurting them with your judgments?
  • How can you grow in compassion for those that you disagree with?

Week 38: Consider the Ravens

“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them; how much more are ye better than the fowls?”  Luke 12:24

“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”  Luke 12:27

My Summary & Reflection

In Luke, Jesus gives us two different metaphors to compare God’s love for nature, with his love for people.  In the first, he asks his disciples to examine how the ravens are always fed even though they do not farm nor store up food for themselves.  In the second, he asks his disciples to examine the beauty of the lilies even though they do not need make clothes for themselves.

These words were spoken to Jesus’ disciples.  “And he said unto his disciples ‘Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.’”  Luke 12:22 Jesus’ disciples were being given a task to preach and teach to the world after Jesus was no longer with them.  It seems that he wanted these disciples, who had been tasked with this important mission, to remain focused on it and not on their own means of support.  It was not for them to spend time worrying about how they would survive.  Jesus let them know that God knew what they needed and that they just needed to stay focused on their duties and the God would attend to their needs as he has done for all of nature.  This ministry was to be their first priority, not a sideline, and not an after-work endeavor.  This ministry was to become their primary work. 

Implicit in these metaphors is the message that whatever work that God has assigned to each of us, He provides the means with which to accomplish it.  I’ve often heard the phrase spoken in another context that God never gives us anything more than we can handle.  People often say it at times of mourning or hardship.  It always bothered me because I look at some hardship and say, I don’t think I could handle this or that or I wonder about people who seem to be at their breaking point when yet another hardship comes their way.  But if I look at that phrase in a different light, then I can understand it a little bit better.  Instead, I think these metaphors are saying that God never gives us a job, without providing us with the tools to accomplish it if we focus on it.  Jesus gave his disciples the job of ministry and provided them with the tools for their sustenance in order complete that ministry.  In the same way, whatever our individual jobs are, he provides us with the natural skills, education, training, experiences in order to accomplish that mission.  It is then up to us to follow through.

Your Reflection

  • What is it that worries you?  Are you worried that you won’t have everything that you need or everything that you want?
  • Why do you worry?
  • Do you believe that God will provide what you need in order to serve Him?

Week 37: The Salt of the Earth

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”  Matthew 5:13

“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?  It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out.  He that that ears to hear, let him hear.”  Luke 14:34-35

My Summary & Reflection

In Matthew, Jesus compares his followers to the salt of the earth.  And in both Matthew and Luke, he goes on to say that if salt has lost its flavor, then it is good for nothing and will be cast out.

As Jesus says in Luke, “salt is good”.  It has many uses.  It is a natural preservative, meaning that it keeps food from spoiling.  This was especially important during Jesus’ time as there was no refrigeration.  Salt is also an important flavoring.  It adds a savory flavor to food making it more enjoyable.  Also, humans actually need some salt in our diets in order to keep our bodies functioning properly.  So, when Jesus compares his followers to the salt of the earth, he is saying that, like the many benefits that salt has, his followers too have beneficial attributes.

But what does it mean for a person to lose his or her savor?  I believe this parable is similar to the parable of An Unfruitful Tree https://leaveninthemeal.com/2018/12/19/week-22-an-unfruitful-tree/.  Salt that has lost its savor is like a fig tree that produces no figs and like a person who is not fulfilling the purpose that God has for him or her.  If, as the salt of the earth, we are not preserving what God has told us is important such as love for God and love for our neighbors, then what use are we to Him?  If, as the salt of the earth, we are not flavoring the world with good works, kind words, and love then, why are we here?  

Your Reflection

  • How do you act in a way that keeps you for losing your savor?
  • What part does faith or hope play in maintaining your savor?

Week 36: The Offending Eye

“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body be cast into hell.  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”  Matthew 5:29-30

My Summary & Reflection

In this metaphor, Jesus tells us that the good of our soul is more important than any desires of the flesh.  If, as in the first example, your temptations come from something that you can see with the eye, then Jesus is saying to remove that sight from your eye.  Similarly, if your temptations come from something that you can feel in your hand, then Jesus is saying to remove that feeling from your hand.  As in all the prior examples, Jesus is speaking metaphorically.

I believe that Jesus is saying to remove yourself physically from that which tempts you.  We are all tempted into sinfulness by different things.  What tempts you, may not tempt me and vice versa.  We have to know ourselves and know what it is that may cause us to stray from the path that God has for us.  You need to know how to remove yourself from any situation where you feel temptation.

There’s this television show that documents the journey of people who have become morbidly obese from an addiction to food and want to be delivered from that addiction.  In an effort to remove themselves from temptation, they literally have part of their stomachs removed.  But even then, it is only after a commitment to change their lives that this option is given to them.  And even after this drastic physical change, they are only successful if they maintain that commitment for their lifetimes.     

So, whatever it is that tempts you, remove yourself from it.  Whether it be a friend request or message from an old flame if you are tempted into adultery, places that sell illegal narcotics if you are tempted by narcotics, bars if you are tempted by excessive alcohol consumption, stores if you are tempted to steal or excessively shop, et cetera.  If you know that when you hang out with certain people, that bad things happen, then don’t hang out with those people.  Cut those people from your life.  When you commit to the journey that God has for you, not everyone or everything that you had before will come with you.  Many people and many things from your former life will be left behind.  Don’t allow yourself to be swept up by what you can see with your eyes, feel with your hands, taste with your tongue, hear with your ears, or smell with your nose.  These things are all temporary.  It is your soul that is eternal.  Don’t allow your senses to lead you into temptation. 

 Your Reflection

  • Do you know the sources of your temptation?
  • How do you remove yourself from that temptation before falling prey to it?
  • In what situations are you more likely to sin? What can you do to avoid those situations? 

Week 35: The Lowest Room

“When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade the cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  Luke 14:8-11

My Summary & Reflection

In this parable, which Jesus gave at the house of one of the chief Pharisees, he talked about a man who upon being invited to a wedding, sits in a high place of honor at the wedding.  The host of the wedding then goes to the man and lets him know that he has taken someone else’s place and needs to sit in a less revered spot.  The invitee is then embarrassed.  Jesus says that the man should sit in the less revered spot from the beginning and allow the host to invite him to sit in a higher place of honor.  He closes by saying that whoever humbles himself will be exalted, and whoever exalts himself will be put to shame.

In today’s language, the man in the parable came to a wedding reception and sat at the family table, even though he was not a member of the family.  He assumed, maybe because of some external status that he had, possibly as employer or minister or politician, that he deserved to sit at the highest places of honor with the family.  The host, however, had to let the man know that he had overstepped his welcome and needed to move to somewhere less prominent.  Jesus is saying that no matter what your rank or status is in society, no one is more important than anyone else, and you should always approach interactions as such, or else someone else will bring you down.

This story reminded me of a funeral I attended as a young girl.  A close family member died and we lined up to enter the church as members of the family.  As we entered, the deceased’s former employer who was a very wealthy and well-respected member of the community, fell into line and sat with the immediate family on the front row of the church.  I was a young child and had no idea who this man was.  This man was not asked to leave, but I remember afterwards that the son of the person who had died was upset by the man’s actions.  This man was not a member of the family nor was he even especially close with the family, yet he presumed that he would be welcome to sit on the front row with the immediate family.  Although no one corrected him during or after the service, he revealed himself to the family to be a man who exalted himself, therefore he was lessened in the eyes of the family.

This parable is all about humility.  Jesus sees humility, or the ability to see yourself as no more important than anyone else, as a virtue.  “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.”  Matthew 5:5 So, don’t allow pride to make you believe that your importance is more than any others.  Instead, with humility, appreciate others and what they have to offer, and you in turn, will be appreciated.

 Your Reflection

  • Do you exalt yourself above others?
  • How can you learn to live with humility?
  • Is boastfulness a symptom of pride or of fear?

Week 34: The Missing Piece

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?  And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.”  Luke 15:8-9

My Summary & Reflection

Jesus describes a woman who had ten pieces of silver and loses one piece.  She turns on the lights, cleans the house, and looks everywhere until she finds it.  When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors to celebrate because she found the piece that had been lost.

In this parable Jesus is comparing each person to a piece of silver and God to the woman.  Even though she has nine other pieces of silver, she works diligently to find the piece that she lost.  She is not content with having the majority of what she began with, but she is concerned over the piece that was not where it was supposed to be.  In this way, the parable is similar to The Good Shepherd Parable https://leaveninthemeal.com/2019/02/13/week-30-the-good-shepherd/.  In it the shepherd was concerned for all of the sheep in his flock, so when one went missing, he diligently searched until he found it.

This parable reminds me of a mother who is a responsible parent caring for each of her children.  When one is lost either physically or spiritually, she will search diligently for her missing child.  It’s not enough that the remaining children are safe and sound.  It’s the one that’s missing that takes the time and attention of the diligent parent to bring that one back home.  And when that child is found, the mother will rejoice because everyone is back where they should be.

Jesus is saying that God does not forget about any of us, even though he has so many souls under his care.  Each one of us is an important piece and if we are lost, He will search for us and seek to bring us back home.  None of us are disposable.  None of us are forgettable to God.  Each and every one of us has worth, no matter what we’ve done to turn ourselves away from Him.  When we have gone astray, we are like that missing piece.  There will always be joy and thanksgiving when we return home.  Jesus says of this woman who celebrates finding her missing piece, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”  Luke 15:10

Your Reflection

  • Do you believe in the worth that Jesus says you have?
  • Do you believe in the worth that Jesus says that everyone you meet has?
  • If you believe in that worth, how do you treat others? How do you treat yourself?

Week 33: The Light of the World

“Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

My Summary & Reflection

Jesus, in this metaphor, calls his followers the light of the world.  He says that men do not light a candle and hide the light, but put it on a candlestick so that it can give light to all that are in the house.  He instructs his followers to let your light shine before men so that they can see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.

What does it mean to let your light shine?  I can’t hear this scripture and not think of the gospel song that we used to sing when I was little, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”  When I was young, I knew what that meant.  I knew that it meant to be to let my positivity and good works speak to others on my behalf.  You don’t have to tell people how good God is, show them with your kind actions and words.  That’s what it meant to me.

As we grow, the world may try to snuff out your light.  People can try to limit your goodness.  I’m not sure why, but if your light is shining brightly, some will try to snuff it out.  “You’re too nice,” they’ll say.  “Don’t let people take advantage of you,” they’ll say.  “You’re a sucker,” they’ll say.  And these admonitions may work, if you don’t realize that what they’re really saying is, “Turn down that light.  It’s too bright!”  So, be good, be nice, be kind, be generous, use your gifts to uplift others, as Jesus tells us to do.  He’s the one who lit your candle, don’t be afraid to let it shine.

Your Reflection

  • What is your light and how can you let your light shine?
  • What holds your back from putting your light on display?  How can you overcome it?

Week 32: The Eye of a Needle

“And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”  Matthew 19:24

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”  Mark 10:25

“For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”  Luke 18:25

My Summary & Reflection

Jesus says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom.  To provide context, this example was made after Jesus was approached by a man seeking to figure out what he could do to inherit eternal life, Jesus instructed the man to “…go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”  Mark 10:21   

The man who had approached Jesus went away sad because he was rich and unwilling to give up his possessions.  The difficulty for the rich man seems to be that it is with those riches, that the rich man puts his faith and his trust.  Jesus said, “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”  Mark 10:24 It is the unwillingness to leave earthly possessions in exchange for eternal life that provides the difficulty for the rich man.  As in Treasure in a Field, https://leaveninthemeal.com/2018/08/08/week-3-treasure-in-a-field/, a man must be willing to sell all that he has in order to receive this ultimate treasure.  That willingness to give them up, is the test for those who hold possessions dear.  It is as if the riches and possessions become a weight anchoring someone to the earth, instead of allowing him to open himself up to that which is greater.  But as hard as it is, Jesus tells us that it is not impossible.  Because as he says, “…With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”  Mark 10:27

Your Reflection

  • What is it that holds you back from accepting the gift of eternal life?
  • What are you willing to let go of in order to receive God’s blessings?

Week 31: The Door and the Shepherd

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”  John 10:1-5

My Summary & Reflection

Jesus notes that the person who enters the place where the sheep are kept, not by the door but by some other way, is a thief.  But the person who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To the shepherd, the porter opens the door.  The sheep hear the shepherd’s voice.  He calls the sheep each by its own name, and leads them out.  He walks ahead of the sheep and they follow him because they know his voice.  The sheep will not follow a stranger, because they don’t know the stranger’s voice.

In this parable, Jesus first compares himself to the door of the sheep.  In his explanation he says, “I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”  John 10:9  This idea echoes that described in the parable of The Strait Gate https://leaveninthemeal.com/2019/01/23/week-27-the-strait-gate/ in that the gate or the door is the path that must be followed to obtain eternal life.  In another passage, Jesus says, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6

This however is not the only comparison made in this parable. Jesus also notes that he, in this parable, is also the shepherd.  “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11 As the shepherd, Jesus identifies each individual by name.  As in the parable of the Good Shepherd, https://leaveninthemeal.com/2019/02/13/week-30-the-good-shepherd/, Jesus again wants us to know that each person is important individually.  He, as the shepherd, leads us out and we recognize his voice as our leader.

The duality as both the door and as the shepherd is explained by Jesus in that he and the Father are in unison.  He can be both the way and the shepherd at the same time.  He says, “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30.

Your Reflection

  • Have you found your way to the doorway to eternal life?
  • Do you hear Jesus’ voice guiding your path?
  • What prevents you from following the path that Jesus is laying out for you?

Week 30: The Good Shepherd

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”  Luke 15:4-6

My Summary & Reflection

In this parable, Jesus describes a shepherd with a hundred sheep who loses one. He leaves the ninety-nine behind and goes after the lost sheep until he finds it.  When he finds the sheep, he carries it on his shoulders while rejoicing.  He calls together his friends and neighbors to celebrate with him because he found the sheep which had been lost.

To put this parable in context, this parable was provided after murmuring from skeptics about why Jesus would associate himself with sinners.  Jesus notes, after delivering this parable that, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”  Luke 15:7

One theme of this parable is that every individual is important.  To the shepherd, it’s not enough that he has the majority of his sheep accounted for.  His concern is for the one that is lost.  That’s the one that needs his help.  That’s the one that needs his attention.  In this parable, God is the shepherd and people are his sheep.

This theme may have some negative connotations in today’s speech.  Sheep are thought of as mindless creatures who follow the shepherd without question and without thought.  To be called a sheep today might mean that the person believes you lack discernment and thoughtfulness.  However, in Jesus’ time and in some agrarian cultures today, a sheep was an important piece of the livelihood for the shepherd.  And each sheep is kept under the care of his shepherd who watches over it, keeps it fed, and makes sure it is safe from harm.

So, Jesus appears to be saying that if you are lost, know that the shepherd is looking for you.  Know that God wants you back and will rejoice when you return safely to his care.

Your Reflection

  • Have you ever felt lost?
  • Does it help to know that the God is looking for you and wants to have you back with him?
  • How can you begin to make your way back?