Parables of Jesus -- A Wedding Invitation

 THE PARABLES OF JESUS – A Wedding Invitation
Matthew 22:4-6
 
" 'Again, he sent out other servants, saying, "Tell those who are invited, 'See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted calf 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.' "
 
This parable accurately reflects the responses to the invitation to join the celebration. Some people hear the invitation to be saved, but it does not faze them. They make light of it and laugh at it – it's a joke to them. They just go on about their lives, doing the business of life, unaware of the significance of the invitation. Others become defensive and downright antagonistic when given the invitation to receive salvation. I suspect that deep down, they are convicted and know they need to say, "Yes." But because they do not want to give up their sin, they become belligerent and attack the messenger. How sad that in either case, they do not get to be a part of the wedding.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: There are three responses to the salvation invitation – to treat it lightly, to become antagonistic, or to say, "Yes" with joy.
 
Have a joyful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Agan and Again

PARABLES OF JESUS – Again and Again
Matthew 22:1-3
 
"And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parable, saying, '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 would not come.' "
 
Same song – second verse. This parable is similar to the Parable of the Vinedressers Jesus had just spoken to this crowd of priests and Pharisees (Matthew 21:33 ff). They understood the meaning of that parable but had not accepted it, so He tried again. Jesus was a Master Teacher and He understood that repetition is necessary in order for the student to "get" the lesson. How loving and patient the Savior is. Even when people reject His message, He keeps speaking to them, trying to get into their hearts. And so it is with me. How many times has He spoken to my heart through the Holy Spirit and His messengers, and I have not obeyed His word. When I don't respond positively to His voice, He doesn't give up on me, but He tries again with a different approach. Thank You, Jesus, for not giving up on me when I don't respond to your call quickly.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God love us so much that He keeps calling us to Himself, even when we don't accept His call.
 
Have an "again" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Amen or Oh Me!

PARABLES OF JESUS – Amen or Oh Me!
Matthew 21:45-46
 
"Now when the chief priest and the Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet."
 
The chief priests and the Pharisees did not receive Jesus' words very well. They wanted to get rid of Jesus. A pastor of my youth used to say, "If what I say hurts, you can say 'amen' or 'oh me.' " When the Holy Spirit uses the prophet to identify my spiritual problem or condition, I have two choices. I can accept the Word of the prophet, or I can reject it. If I reject it, the normal response is to get rid of the prophet by voting him out or changing churches. But that does not solve my problem. It is better to change myself than to change prophets.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: When I perceive in my spirit that God is speaking to me, it is better to take care of the problem than to get rid of the prophet.
 
Have an "amen" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Parables of Jesus -- The Cornerstone

PARABLES OF JESUS – The Cornerstone
Matthew 21:43-44
 
" 'Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomsoever it falls, it will grind him to power.' "
 
Jesus is talking to a group of people who rejected Him as their Messiah. He changed metaphors to quote Psalm 118:22-23 – that the stone that was rejected would become the chief cornerstone of a new nation. Peter picked up this theme. Jesus is a stumbling block – a rock of offense – to those who do not believe. But to those who believe He is precious. He went on to say that believers are "a holy nation ... His own special people" (I Peter 2:4-10). Jesus is the chief Cornerstone of the Church – the new nation. The choice is this: either I will fall on that stone and be broken, or the stone will fall on me in judgment. It is my choice to accept or reject Jesus. Lord Jesus, You are precious to me, and I accept you as my Rock – my Cornerstone.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Jesus is either a stumbling block of offense to unbelievers, or He is the Chief Cornerstone to those who are broken in spirit.
 
Have a believing day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Reason For Christmas

THE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS
 
"And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."(Matthew 1:21)

 
The real meaning of Christmas is obscure to many people. They consider this holy day in terms of family gatherings, giving gifts and community charity, toys, Santa Claus and reindeer, a day off of work, a time to get drunk. But there is only one reason to celebrate this day, and that is the birth of the Savior.
 
Sin and Salvation are no longer a part of our American culture. In the 1960, Dr. Carl Menninger wrote a book entitled, "Whatever Became of Sin?" We have effectively eliminated the concept of sin by renaming various vices. Sexual proclivities (such as adultery, rape, pornography, etc.) are now called addictions. Alcoholism is called a disease. Murderers are called insane because of some traumatic event in their childhood, dysfunctional families, poverty, or lack of education. Ethical misconduct (lying, cheating, stealing) are called normal because everyone else is doing it. We can rationalize any behavior by renaming it. By doing away with the concept of sin, we have also eliminated the need for a Savior.
 
In God's eyes, sin is still sin. God left heaven to be born as a baby and become a part of this corrupt world in order to save mankind from sin and all of its consequences. Celebrating Christmas for any other reason is about as important as celebrating Ground Hogs Day.
 

WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN!

Have a wonderful Christmas Day. Love, Dad
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Parables of Jesus -- Parochialism

PARABLES OF JESUS – Parochialism
Matthew 21:40-41
 
" 'Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?' They said to Him, 'He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and leave his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their season.' "
 
The meaning of this parable was apparent to those to whom Jesus is speaking. He was telling them that their rejection of Him would open the door of God's kingdom to the nations of the world. The Jews thought they had a corner on God. After all, over and over again He had called them "My people." But because of their rejection, the greater plan of God was displayed – for the nations of the world to be included. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...." (John 3:16).  Even to Abraham, their father, God had promised that through Him "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). And, to use another metaphor, Jesus had said, "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd" (John 10:16). I need to remember that God's vineyard – God's flock – is larger than my little group. There are people around the world in many denominations who are in His flock. I'm grateful that I am one of the "other sheep," but I need to guard against a parochialism that sees me and my group as the only ones in God's kingdom.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The kingdom of God includes people from many nations and many denominations.
 
Have an "inclusive" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Rejected

PARABLES OF JESUS – Rejected
Matthew 21:37-39
 
" 'Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son." But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him
and seize his inheritance." So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.' "
 
Jesus knew that these very people he was talking to – the chief priests and elders – would one day murder him. It is a sad thing that "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him" (John 1:11). Think of it!! The very Son of God came to them and they rejected Him. Not only was He rejected by the innkeeper at Bethlehem. Not only was He rejected by His own family who thought He was crazy. Not only was He rejected by His religion. Not only was He rejected by His nation. He is still being rejected today by the humans He created --  the ones He came to save. Jesus, Son of God, I receive You. Come and take possession of Your vineyard.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Jesus -- The very Son of God -- came to this earth and was rejected by those He came to save.
 
Have a "receiving" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God's Messengers

PARABLES OF JESUS – God's Messengers
Matthew 21:33-36
 
"Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vindressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them."
 
The religious leaders to whom Jesus was speaking would have understood this parable because they knew the Scriptures – that God had called Israel His vineyard (Isaiah 5:7, et al). God had given stewardship of His vineyard to the leaders. Yet, when He sent his prophets, they were rejected, mistreated, and killed (like John the Baptist). God kept sending His messengers to Israel because He loved His vineyard. How like today. God sends prophets to His people but they are often rejected and mistreated because we don't want to hear their message. But He keeps sending them because He loves the Church. May we not be like Israel.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: God's messengers are often rejected because people don't like the message, but in His love, He keeps sending them.
 
Have a listening day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Empty Words

THE PARABLES OF JESUS – Empty Words
Matthew 21:28-31
 
" 'A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, "Son, go work today in my vineyard." He answered and said, "I will not," but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go, sir," but he did not go. Which of the two sons did the will of his father?' They said to Him, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'Assuredly I say to you that the tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.' "
 
Jesus spoke this parable to the religious leaders (chief priests and elders – vs. 23) to pinpoint the true state of their religion. They were illustrated by the second son who said the right things but did not obey his father. On the other hand were the sinners who said "no" to God's laws but then repented. It is not enough to "talk the talk." True faith walks the walk. Otherwise, my words are empty air. Obedience is a better evidence of my Christian walk than what I say.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Obedience to God is the measure of my Christianity – not empty words.
 
Have a "walk the walk" day. Love you.