What makes us different is that we don't regurgitate scripture, but rather go straight into the explanation and thus daily applicability.
a) The Sower Matt 13:1-23
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The end game is to be with our Lord after death. Everything else is merely a distraction. We must live and indeed we must do as the living do, however, our focus is on where we are going and not where we are. The desire to be with Him will naturally make us follow the narrow path toward Him; each according to His own ability.
It is natural to want to adhere, but human nature is about stumbling and always getting up again. The realm of perfection is not for men but for angels. We will always fall, but we rely on his grace for mercy to wake up and try again.
As your author, I assure you even as I type I have already stumbled. Discipleship is not a singular act but continuous attempts and a never-ending series of failures and getting up. It is better to try and fail millions of times than to dream of perfection that never comes.
b) The Wheat and weeds Matt 13:24-30
It indicates that the wicked and the righteous will exist together for the time being. Satan mixes bad seeds into good seeds, in an attempt to corrupt the entire crop. Only at judgment will God separate the two. This is the way of the world today. We are however asked to be salt and light in our communities so as to attract others.
As Christians, we must seek each other out and lean on each other for support, which is why being part of a Christian community is very important. As human beings, we are social and have an innate need to be with others. Being part of a community ensures that you mingle with like-minded people, who are also your support system. Participate in Church activities and thus meet like-minded people. Much as we remain salt and light for the wider community, you also need the support of your community.
As I type this, I think there is a need for a caveat. The church is not a building but all of us are inclined to a Jesus worldview. We don't hide. Yep, we are at the rugby, football, pubs, school, and the civil and private sector; all over the world, however, wherever we are, it is demanded that we are light and salt, dissipating the gospel message in how we conduct ourselves in word and deed!
Tissot- Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:1-12
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c) The mustard seed and leaven (Matthew 13:31-33)
These make the point that something extremely small can grow into something very large and influential, just as Jesus and his followers would begin a world-changing movement. There is no such thing as too small or inconsequential. In everything you do, follow Jesus’ tenets no matter how inconsequential they may appear. We must be salt and light with every opportunity we get.
They also allude to Sin starting in a very benign way, but eventually, become a whale of a problem. It explains why community leaders, at least as far as my observations and study are concerned, attack even the smallest violations of rules and codes of conduct in a very rigorous and harsh manner. What may appear trivial has the ability to multiply and grow into a monstrosity. It helps me understand why schoolmasters seem inordinately harsh.
Think of the Children of Israel in the desert and how quickly one sinner infected the entire community. For believers, the moral is to deal with sin immediately after it rears its head, both in your heart and in the community. I've started it, but trust me, nobody finds it easy to do.
d) The Hidden treasure and costly pearls (Matt 13:44-46)
Knowledge of the Kingdom and its secrets is priceless. Before I came to understand more about Jesus, I always thought that the secrets of the world and life in it were probably locked up somewhere in a book in the Vatican or some other ancient institution. In time as you appreciate His teachings, you start to realize that the secrets are right there for the taking in the gospels. All that you need to do is study them, inculcate them and live them. Christian living is experiential; you can never really comprehend without living them out daily.
e) The net - similar to the wheat and tares
There will be a reckoning, come the end of time, where we will all be asked to account for our actions. Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant; it will happen.
An interesting point in regard to this parable is the dietary laws of the Jews. Fish without scales were considered unclean. The separation, contextually in this parable would have been understood as separating clean from unclean fish by the Jewish audience.
f) The Kingdom scribes
The new scribes will be able to instruct others accurately in God's ways. In a manner of speaking, this little book/blog is part of the new scribes, as is everyone keen on sharing Jesus’ teachings with the world.
You, as the new children of the Kingdom, must be ready at any time to explain His teachings. We are the refinement of the law. We preach the spirit of the law as Jesus intended. Mercy for sinners, compassion for our enemies, concern for our neighbours, and so on. Adherence to the law for its own sake is the old pharisaic way; ours is to preach the spirit of the law.
g) The Vineyard workers (Matt 20:1-16)
Following our Lord's discussions about gaining eternal life, this parable of Jesus reemphasizes God’s grace. While God is always just, He is often gracious to the least deserving. We should not be envious because of God's generosity. God will accept you even from a confession at the very end, in spite of the kind of life one has led.
Think of the thief at our Lord's right hand on the cross or the parable of the prodigal son. Being righteous throughout one’s life or having a change of heart at the end according to this parable, leads to the same reward, admittance to heaven.
It’s natural for us to feel some resentment, especially if one has carried the cross of righteous living throughout one’s life. You would naturally expect a bigger reward for those that have followed a Christian worldview for a longer period of time than say the Johnny-come-lately. The Lord tells us not to be resentful, but as his servants, we should celebrate whenever anyone is rescued.
I find this teaching beyond the capacity of human thinking. It does not follow the “no pain no gain” principle, which generally dictates every value system on earth. Surely, you are paid for what you put in, right? How can a repentant drug trafficker get the same reward as a pious saint? In my human thinking, I subscribe to the notion that the Lord was referring only to entering the Kingdom. We all gain entry, however as can be expected in any Kingdom, some will be lower and others higher. .. I stand to be corrected...
Brown- Christ washes Peter's feet, John 13:1-17
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h) The lost sheep, coin, and son (prodigal) (Luke 15: 1-32)
God diligently and lovingly pursues sinners as illustrated in the lost coin, prodigal son, and lost sheep. Our sins can never exhaust the grace of God. He will always welcome repentant children.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the older son represents the righteous. These should never presume God’s grace or be resentful because of God's mercy. God comes for both sinners and “self-righteous sinners”. We are all undeserving, but His grace frees us all.
i) The wicked tenants (Matt 21:33-46)
The landowner represents God, who has carefully cultivated His vineyard, Israel. The farmers represent the Jewish leadership to whom God has entrusted his people. The saved, are the prophets.
God has sent various servants, the prophets, to collect fruit, but they have all been mistreated and killed. The landowner then sends his son, Christ, and the farmers kill him, previewing what will soon happen to him.
When the owner returns, he will avenge his son’s murder and give the vineyard to other tenants (namely the gentiles), who will produce good fruit.
j) The wedding banquet (Matt 21:1-14)
The guests give lame excuses about attending. The King enraged, sends his armies to destroy them, symbolizing the coming judgment on the Jewish leadership and on Jerusalem. Servants are sent to look for all the people they can find (gentiles) for the wedding feast.
The man not wearing the right attire represents the gentiles that fail to follow the teachings of the Kingdom. “Many are called but few are chosen”. Those without a relationship with the Lord will be thrown out.
k) The dutiful servant (Luke 17:1-9)
It shows the right heart attitude at all times. We are the servants of the Lord and should remain steadfast to Him in anticipation of His return.
Look guys, to live the tenets of Christianity is a lifelong calling. Yep, we, I, fail daily..but get up every day and beg the Lord for the strength to do better.
His teaching suggests that trial and failure ensure failure is inculcated in your mind, but in so doing, so is the continuous yearning for success... It may be on my deathbed, or maybe never, but we go into the afterlife fighting!*
l) The persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8)
It encourages us to pray, remain hopeful, and never despair even in the midst of significant opposition to our Christian walk in a society that looks down upon us. Our heavenly father sees and hears us.
We continue in the next post
Enjoy!