I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. A lot of people think that Jesus is saying that we should pray repetitiously over any one thing. Is that really what is being said in light of the fact the Jesus said, "pray not vain repititions like the heathens do"? When he says, "men ought always to pray and not faint", is he saying to pray continuously? Or might he be saying "every single time you pray, don't faint or stand upon that one prayer until your answered? I submit that that's what this is saying. But she came over and over again someone will say. No, it said, "she came unto him saying". She barely got in the door and wasn't even done walking when she demanded justice. Someone will also say but he said that he will avenge her lest by her CONTINUAL coming she weary him. She was coming day and night". No, lest means, because IF SHE CONTINUES to come, she'll drive him nuts. She only came once, but by the determination in her words she impressed upon him, "she means business". So where does faith fit in to all of this? Didn't Jesus say, "if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed you would say unto this sycamine tree be thou plucked up by the root and be cast into the sea and it would obey you? Notice the aspect of patience, HE WOULD NOT FOR A WHILE but afterward he said, "though I fear not God nor regard man, I will avenge her lest by her continual coming she weary me. She planted a seed in his heart by her boldness, words and address. That seed grew within his heart and consumed him. But only "after a while". She didn't come again because in her heart it was a done deal. "And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry unto him day and night?” I believe that Jesus is saying that instead of crying day and night, if we would just have the faith to approach God boldly, as a covenant partner, and regard it a done deal, we would qualify as one of those who are avenged speedily. Will he find this kind of faith on earth when he comes? You decide.
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D'Laine,
I myself wondered about this parable/illustration till I found a commentary on these two verses from Mark 4 in Dr. J. Vernon McGee's Thru the Bible commentary series of books on the Bible. His comments really make sense when we think about how "religion" in the largest sense, has gotten away from the simplicity and the purity with which Christ taught, and instead metastasized into a huge aberrant all encompassing umbrella imbracing man made tradition's, social reform, and the very encumbrance's Christ spoke about of the Pharasee's. Here are Dr. McGee's remark's:
"Mustard is not food, it is a condiment. And the growth of a ustard seed into a tree is unnatural. This picturs the outward growth of Christendom into great organizations big churches, large programs, all produced by human energy and not by the Holy Spirit. The birds in the branches are not even good. They represent Satan". I hope this helps, G. Weldon
P. S. His website for listening to his Thru the Bible series is located at:
"http://www.ttb.org" and if your interested in my Biblical poetry mixed with my secular, my website is: "http://home.earthlink.net/~weldon" .
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There is nothing that says the older brother is loved less, the father says in the story that what is his is the older son's also, jus because he isn't rewarded like the younger son is doesn't mean anything negative. The older son should not be jealous or envious because his reward will come also. It's just that God's love is also there for those who have sinned and have recognized their sin and return to accept God's love by asking for forgiveness.
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i think it really teaches about thing what about you?
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I agree with you! The fowls of the air are from Gen 1:20-21, 31 where God, who is Love, brought forth the fowls of the air to fly in the firmament of heaven and God saw everything that he made and behold it was very good. (Why would a good, loving God create evil birds to fly in His heaven? He did not.) Why would anyone want to take a symbol of inspiration, love and protection such as birds reflect and want to see them as they are described but once in the Bible as unclean, foul and hateful? There are so many inspired references to wings, brooding, flying, nest, eagles that are beautiful in the Scriptures. I'd rather take the inspired Word of the Bible. Mustard seed and leaven are synon. and both small but growing and changing into good, useful things. The woman hid the leaven in three measures of meal---modes of human thought. Meal in the Bible stands for healing. The leaven is NOT that of the hypocritical Pharasees but of God's Christ, Truth. This leaven of Truth is changing the whole of thought until the whole of evil thought is leavened--changed into Truth. The grains of mustard signify this growth of Truth too, until the leaves of the tree of Truth are used for the healing of the nations--knowing the Truth that makes us free----free from what? A lie. Truth always frees us from lies. Truth never frees us from itself! Only, only from lies. The devil is a liar and the Father of it and abides not in truth. John 8:44
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Something as simple as finding a picture of a mustard tree, as turned
into a sales product to make others money, I just want to see a picture of
a Mustard tree.
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What happened to Barabas, after the death of Christ? Did he change his life? Any information is helpful.
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Tare's love liberal idea's, and organizations of destruction....they "tare" things apart. Also, are found in the 4 agencies, Polictic, Econmics, Education, Religion.....that reglious teaching that is destructive and compromising....."falls short"....they twist the scripture to meet their agendas.....They appear very sweet....yet their teeth are sharp.
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Well, I have been searching olso for a picture of the mustard tree, but I havent found it yet. I will appreciate if you have one in you data bank and chare it with us.

Rodrigo
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To Robert Corbitt, THAT explanation is to me the correct one. I read some of the answers, but yours fits the bill. Thank you.
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I'm going to teach the children about the parable of the mustard seed this sunday. It'll really be helpful to have some pictures to show to them. Thanks a lot for your help. GBU.
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Mustard. Several kinds of mustard-plant grow in the Holy Land, either wild, as the charlock, Sinapis arvensis, and the white mustard, S. Alba, or cultivated, as S. nigra, which last seems the one intended in the Gospel. Our Lord compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed (Matt., xiii, 31-2), a familiar term to mean the tiniest thing possible (cf. Talmud Jerus. Peah, 7; T. Babyl. Kethub., iiib), "which a man … sowed in his field" and which "when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs"; the mustard tree attains in Palestine a height of ten feet and is a favourite resort of linnets and finches.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12149a.htm

http://www.understandingbibleprophecy.com/Parable%2520of%2520the%2520Mustard%2520Seed.htm


http://www.web.odu.edu/webroot/instr/sci/plant.nsf/pages/mustard

http://www.bibletexts.com/qa/qa081.htm

The black mustard grew wild in Palestine on the shores of Galilee. This herb reached 1.8 to 2.4 m. (60 to 8 ft.) in height and as covered with yellow flowers. The seeds were used to flavor meat and vegetables, and were a favorite food of the birds.
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The non prodigal son is the one who attends church every week. does all that is to be done to be a "good" son- obedient hardworking. yet he does not see how BIG his Father is- how his Father is capable of loving them both equally as much. He does not see how everything that God has belongs to him. Everything that he "worked" for is his to own. He is even petty about a fattened calf! To me, he has obeyed without really Knowing the character of his own father. My take on him. ;)
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In reading again the articles found below, I am going to attempt to prove that Jesus was talking about a PRINCIPLE and not sin, as many seem to think that leaven represents. My concern is that if this idea of leaven pertaining to sin is not purged (no pun intended) from believers hearts (and yes sometimes it does pertain to sin but not in this instance) then a lot of the teachings of the Kingdom will go unrecognized.

An example: if the leaven being hid in meal pertains only to sin hidden wherever, the church, society, etc., then how does it relate to the other parables that are related to good things?

Luke 13:
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.

Notice the words HID, HIDETH, and FIELD. Aren’t those words that are found in the parable of the leaven and the dough?

Luke 13:
33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and HID in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Might the field (in verse 44) be the dough-the meal (the heart)?

Now, where is the “TREASURE” in sin? Where is the “PEARL OF GREAT PRICE” in sin? You would think that if this idea of leaven being sin were true, then the scripture would have to read something like this:

The Kingdom of God is like unto a man walking through a field, upon which he stepped in something…So he bought the field! (Lorde, lorde, lorde, it waz nassy.)

Joking aside, it doesn’t fit. Sin does not fit in with the whole of the parable teaching. Treasure, and Pearls of great price are BLESSINGS-GOOD THINGS. They’re not foul and putrid things as these people believe they are (I realize they haven’t given it much thought).

Can you see how you can take a wonderful idea and turn it into a real stinker?

The dough, the meal, the field, the ground-in this network of parables-is the heart of a man. THERE’S A TREASURE HID IN YOUR HEART. And it’s worth “SELLING ALL THAT YOU HAVE, TO AQUIRE IT” (paraphrased).

Look at this scripture.

33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

People think that this is difficult to understand because it’s filled with idioms and metaphors. But if you understand that Jesus is talking about the same idea here-what goes into the heart, gets radiated to the world around us-if done properly, then you can see how that it’s about a principle that can work either way. In the good direction or bad.

The light in this instance is the heart of a man. It’s the part of us that retains spiritual vision. That’s why Jesus likened it to an eye. But this eye can radiate things good and bad. “as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light”.

Mathew 13:52
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good TREASURE OF THE HEART bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the EVIL TREASURE bringeth forth evil things.

Once again, it’s the principle. We can deposit things in our hearts good or bad. And our hearts radiate it forth to the world around us good or bad, light or darkness.

Jesus said how great is that darkness!

If the human being was designed to carry about this inner light, “let your light so shine” and yet darkness gets injected into it, you can see how that it’s almost a double negative. A light bulb that can radiate darkness-hey a “black light”-just kidding.

I think this will serve as food for thought for now. But just remember that the Scribes and Pharisee’ probably seized upon this (idea that leaven is always bad) and thought that they knew what he was saying, and yet they really didn’t. The Kingdom principles are hidden FOR us, not from us. For we are the good hearted ones desiring to hear.

May God bless.





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To confirm my belief that God's destroyer angel was released on July 29, 2003 And is now surveying the United States, I was given a dream on July 30/31, 2003 that is similar to the parable of 10 virgins.

My reality was this: a clear water, cement canal, that winded, so that you could not see far ahead or behind because of the curves. I was swimming in this canal, when suddenly I saw a great white shark patroling the waters and coming my direction. I quickly climbed out of the waters onto the bank. I watched for awhile the creature swimming. Then I gathered the confidence to go back in. However, I knew that I must be vigilant incase the creature came back. Lo and behold, the creature did come back, but was on top of me so fast that I could not escape the water. But the creature passed by without harming me. I believe this to be the destroying angel patroling our nation which was released on July 29, 2003. I believe he does not have the power to destroy yet. And I believe we must remain vigilant, because the day and the hour inwhich he receives the power to destroy may come at any time. Dream/Commentary 2003 - www.bigfootlivesindallaswestend.com

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Well done... The thought is not necessary how hard or how long one works, but how faithfull one is in carrying out the task which the Lord has delivered into his hands during the time allotted [cf Matt.20:1-16]. Through comparing the parable of the talents with the parable of the pounds, faithfullness among Christians to do do the task at hand is not always the same. It would seem apparent that there could be increases of less than or more than one hundred percent, allowing a two- talent Christian to realise an increase above that of a five- talent Christain, or vise versa. The number of talents is not really the issue. Faithfulness to the task at hand is that which God looks upon.

Blessings, rewards, and crowns are for those exercising faithfulness in the proper use of the talents/ pounds entrusted to them. A commendation of " Well done..." from the Lord awaites Cristains exhibiting faithfulness after this fashion. But, a task "well done is just that -- one well done. By following his commandments and overcoming the World, and the Flesh, and the Devil, thus the tasks at hand.
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I had a dream on June 21, 2003 and was shown an awesome sight. A swarm of Tornadoes descending from the sky that look like giant elephant trunks.

People will not know where to hide. So I am telling you now in advance. All that will listen, listen. You will want to find an underground place of shelter such as the below ground floor of a university or mall or parking garage that is windowless. Flying glass spells trouble. Start looking now where you will go. Watch for the signs, you will have time to go to your designated place of shelter. But to wait to look for the appropriate place of shelter at that time will be futile. You must do so now as an act of faith. And in that day, if anyone tells you, "Come with us! There is
a strong building over there". Don't go with them! Do not try and help anyone either or you will be confused and forget your hiding place.

I believe it will be as in the Parable of the 10 Virgins.
Let us pray earnestly to our God for the shed blood of the thousands of Iraqi people. Perhaps He will turn away His anger and leave us a blessing instead.

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This statement is wrong, sorry. I retract it.
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The Bible is its own interpreter. Rightly divide the word by taking proper consideration of other scriptures that provide the total picture of its true meaning. Maybe the key to the passage is found in verse 29:

"For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an
abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will will be taken from him."

Jesus used these very same words in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:12. And we know from that parable that the seed sown is the WORD OF GOD, the MESSAGE ABOUT THE KINGDOM (verses 18-23). Is the 'seed sown' and the 'talent entrusted' the same thing? I think so.
Both parables are about bringing increase to the knowledge of God in your life by acting on it--putting it to work. In fact we have an obligation to do so. Do other scriptures refer to knowledge being like money or something of value being given to us?

"What you HEARD from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Gaurd the good DEPOSIT that was ENTRUSTED TO YOU..."
(2 Timothy 1:13,14).

"...that they may have the full RICHES of complete UNDERSTANDING (knowledge), in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the TREASURES of wisdom and KNOWLEDGE" (Colossians 2:2, 3).

How would you bring increase to an amount of money entrusted to you?--put it to work--do something with it. Keeping it hidden in an old mattress won't bring any increase and your master will be disappointed with you. The very LEAST you could do is entrust it to someone else, like a bank, who would then put it to work and bring increase to it. They get the increase and you receive a pittance. The greatest return is realized when YOU put it to work (open a business, etc...). It's the same with the kingdom of God. There is a big difference between living out the will of God and sharing that knowledge with someone else.

Anyone who does not act on and retain the word of God--like hiding a talent in the ground or having the ravens snatch the seed away--will lose that knowledge and its eternal benefit, condemning themselves to the wrath of the one who gave it.

"...since they did not think it worthwhile to RETAIN the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind...(Romans 1:21, 28). "...darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance (lack of knowledge) that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts" (Eph. 4:18).

"That servant who knows his master's will and DOES NOT GET READY or DOES NOT DO what his master wants will be beaten with many blows...From everyone who has been given much, much will be damanded; and from the one who has been
entrusted much, much more will be asked". (Luke 12:47,48b)

All the rewards and benefits of good stewardship will go to the faithful:

"...do not throw away your confidence; it will be RICHLY REWARDED. You need to persevere so that when you have DONE THE WILL OF GOD, you will receive what he has promised" (Heb. 10:35, 36).

What are you going to do with the word of God?--discard it, or use it wisely by acting on it, bringing increase to it. It's a matter of turning a seed of knowledge into the visible, ripe fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23) or putting the riches of God's truth to work insuring your future, eternal security. You decide.

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly ACCEPT THE WORD PLANTED IN YOU, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS." (James 1:22).

"Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but ONLY HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER who is in heaven...Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and PUTS THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a wise man who built his house on the rock...But everyone who hears these words of mine and DOES NOT PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a foolish man who built his house on sand"
(Matt. 7:21, 24, 26).

What are YOU doing with the knowledge of God's will? Will you bury it, or act on it? Which one will bring praise from God on 'that day'?

"..find out what pleases the Lord...do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" (Eph. 5:10, 17)

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The Parable of the 10 virgins that our Lord told in Matthew 25 is broad and not very well defined, and so, can have several interpretations. One can think of the girls representing believers and unbelievers when the Lord, as the bridegroom arrives as the second coming, or may be even as Jews who accept and don't accept the Lord at His first coming. It is not easy There are problems of logic and truth at each turn. I think we are on thin ice when we make the oil in the lamp the HS. After all, how can I carry a store or buy more of Him? Are the girls who go in really the ones who are saved and the others not? If so, then it sounds like salvation by works to me! What I can do to be saved, such as be properly prepared?

The best interpretation I can put on it, and I think the Lord's hearers may very well have taken it that way, is that this is guidance and a warning to those who believe. Guidance and a warning for you and for me. We are given a task, we have access to the materials and we have time. All are under the control of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no doubt who is in control. It is his wedding and he is the kingpin. Nothing starts before He is ready and in His presence.

All the girls are given a task to do; the same task. I must use my time and opportunities properly so that I am ready and behaving as the Lord requires to be able to participate in the task. Successful participation means that
1.my contribution to the ministry is accepted and so am a I. I can't just go on doing things, even if they are those of God, my way. If I do, there is going to be a problem! This is not about salvation, but participation in ministry.
2.If I am found prepared and present, then I will be swept in in the wonder of the Lord's presence and participation in far more than just my contribution makes.
3.If I am accepted or 'known' in ministry, then I will participate and enjoy the warmth, celebration and joy of the outcome of the ministry with the Lord Jesus. Ministry is not the end itself, just as welcoming with light wasn't the end of their task.

The Groom's response is harsh, yes! But God doesn't compromise with our dilly-dallying, lack of commitment and mucking about in ministry. In terms of our task in a ministry, either He accepts our contribution and us, or neither. We can't muddle through or do it our way. I must remember I am dealing with almighty God, the one with all authority.
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I would like a copy of the good shepard sermon

Thank You
sharan Jones
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" Three " is the number of Divine perfection. This number shows Divine perfection within that which is in view. "Three measures of Meal"- three measures of ground grain, used to make bread- are in view. The reference is to the Word of God [Matt.4:4;cf.Isa.55:1,2],though not the word in general sense. Rather , the reference, contextually, is to the word in a specific sence, a specific part of the word, a specific teaching in the word.
The subject at hand has to do with the WORD OF THE KINGDOM. It has to do with how the message surrounding the coming kingdom of Christ would begin to be proclaimed in Christendom and how this message would progressively change because of something [a foreign substance] placed within the message [Matt.13:19-24,31,33].
And ,again, it is that part of this Divinely perfect revelation having to do with the Word of the Kingdom which is in view. Satan simply began placing those proclaming a false message about the kingdom among those bearing fruit for the kingdom. The false message took root and began to spread, resulting in corruption and deterioration. Understanding the parable of the leaven is that simple. This parable has to do with a progressive, continuing deterioration. It has to do with the corruption agent placed within that part of God's Divinely perfect revelation referred to as " the word of the kingdom." And it has to do with this corruption agent working " till the whole [the message surrounding the coming kingdom of Christ]" has been leavened. Near the end when the Word of the kingdom has been completly corrupted, that which Jesus fortold in his parable will be fulfilled. In those days, at that time, the true message surrounding the coming kingdom of Christ will not be- it cannot be-heard throughout the Churches of the land.
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what exactly is gnashing of teeth?
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the older son has been misunderstand for a long time. He is a good kid. What more can a father ask from his son? But he is blinded by his bitterness. And in v. 31 the father tells the older son that all the father has is the older son's. If this is the case, the older son can choose to ask the father to give him and his friends a BBQ party. But the son doesn't ask. He gets mad at the father and turns bitter.

Very often we are more like the older sons. Not many of us live an exciting life like the younger son. We make complaints to our Father for not having what we want. But we don't spend time to ask.
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Please send me the picture of the Mustard Tree. I would like to use in a presentation when we dedicate our community garden in May 2009.

Thanks so much. May God continue to send us all blessings!
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Jesus uses leaven in some parables to explain how evil can quickly take over a person but in the parable in Matt 13 he is using it to describe how the Spirit of God causes the values of the kingdom of God to permeate in a Christian. Jesus does not have to tie his symbols down to one idea.
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WE AS CHRISTIAN'S NEED TO WELCOME SINNER'S!! OUR TESTIMONY COULD EITHER PLANT THE SEED FOR THEM OR BRING THEM INTO GOD'S PRESENCE AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
IT IS HARD SOMETIMES AS A CHRISTIAN TO IDENITIFY WITH SINNERS BECAUSE WE HAVE JESUS LIVING WITHIN US TEACHING US THE RIGHT WAYS. JUST REMEMBER THAT EVEN AS A CHRISTIAN YOU ARE STILL A SINNER BUT WITH BENEFIT & ETERNAL LIFE.
APPLICATION TO MY LIFE:
IDENITIFY THAT DESPITE A SINNER'S TROUBLES & ATTITUDE THEY TO ARE JUST AS ELIGIBLE FOR HEAVEN AS I WAS. IT WASN'T UNTIL JESUS CAME TO LIVE IN ME DID I CHANGE MY WAYS.
GO AFTER SINNER'S TEACH THEM, GUIDE THEM, & LOVE THEM. SHOW THEM JESUS IN YOU.
THANK YOU FOR READING! I HELP IT CAN BE A HELP AND A BLESSING AS IT HAS BEEN TO ME.
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I believe that the oil represents Spiritual maturity and stability. You have to realize that all of the virgins had oil. The 5 wise virgins carried EXTRA oil while the 5 foolish virgins felt they could get along with just the oil in their lamps. They were the ones (I believe) who are the "religious" ones. Those who go to church to get the "feel goodies" and return to the world for the rest of the week only to go thru the "ritual" again. No intimacy with the Father. No seeking the Kingdom of God, just seeking the approval of man. The foolish virgins then asked the wise ones for some of their oil. These are those who ask others to pray for them only because they feel that the "higher level" Christians' prayers will more likely be heard by God. They merely "imitate" the true believers. Jesus (the Bridegroom) will say, "I don't know you." This is the door shutting on the 5 foolish virgins as they returned from the world with their conterfeit religious oil. They never bore fruit of the Holy Spirit.
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Could you please send me your picture of a mustard tree? I need to use it at my church for our current topic of Bible study. Thank you.
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It is my belief that when Jesus said "this generation will not pass away" in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 He was talking about a forty year generation. The people who heard Him talking could look ahead forty years and know that everything Jesus predicted concerning the destruction of Jerusalem would come to pass. History records that it did in 70 AD.
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Emilee, I have just come across this site as I gave a children sermon on having the faith of a mustard seed. If you still have this picture that you mentioned above, would you email it to me? It is amazing that these trees grew so large in the days Jesus was here on earth and we never hear of a mustard tree. I would find this very amazing to see one. Thank you so much for your time. God bless!
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What does Pharisee mean? What was a Publican?

Pharisee: The word itself comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to set apart" or "to separate". The Pharisees were a sect of the Jews. They believed in God, but they also believed that he operated according to their actions. (Your rewards/punishments were based on your works) They added their own traditions to the law, and seemed to think themselves holier because of it. They seemed to pride themselves on following what they said to be law to the letter, and to think this made them better than those they disagreed with.

Publican: These were the tax collectors. Just like today, they weren't the most popular people in town! Often they were said to cheat the people, overcharging or extorting money from them. Thus they were regarded with disgust and contempt. They interacted with the "heathen Romans", which made them even more distasteful in the eyes of the Pharisees.

Now, for the parable. We see both, a pharisee and a publican, entering the temple grounds to pray. The pharisee sees the publican, and starts his prayer thanking God, which in itself is a good thing, but look at what he's thanking him for. He's looking at his fellow man, pointing out his faults, and thanking God that he's not like him! Typical human nature, to think that we're better than others because of our actions, instead of recognizing that we've all been sinners just as unworthy of God's grace as the next person. He goes on to mention his own good works...that he fasted twice in the week (which was in ADDITION to the requirements of the law, another case of the Pharisees adding to the law and thinking it made them better people) and that he gave his tithes.

The publican's interaction with God is vastly different. Instead of seeing the sins of others and feeling himself to be better because he wasn't committing the same ones, he came to God acknowledging that he was a sinner. He didn't even dare to lift his eyes, but kept them lowered and smote himself, which was a common expression of sorrow. This action is telling, in that he was feeling remorse for his sins. Lastly, he doesn't offer any excuses, but begs God for mercy and acknowledges his sinful state.

The last verse in this parable tells us that the publican left justified.

The moral of the story? Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

God wants us to acknowledge our sins, and to place our full trust in HIM for our forgiveness and to recognize that it is only through him that we can obtain it, not through works of our own. He will bring down the proud, but those who come to him humbly and with pure intentions will be exalted by Him. We are not to look at others as a barometer of whether we're serving God properly, but only at what God has decreed for us.

Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.


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We are all sinners. Whether we have God in our hearts always (stay with the Father) or whether we stray away and find our way back to our Father, He will always welcome us home with open arms.


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Please send picture of mustard seed tree. We will be covering the parable in our preschool Sunday School class this week.
THANK YOU!
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This is one of any number of "Odd God" stories meant to overturn our notion of how God works and how we are to relate to one another. The younger son in effect tells his father to 'drop dead' or at least recognize that he is so senile, it is time for his sons to take over. The Father does what is most undignified for a semite, 'runs' out to meet his son. This Father, like our heavenly Father forsakes all dignity demonstrates the initiative to embrace us with love. Then all that is asked of us is what is asked of the older brother, that we in turn embrace one another.

I take exception to the persistent suggestion that the younger son has committed the most vile of sins. A consistent reading of the Gospels shows almost scandalously easy forgiveness for those who have committed sins of weakness and momentary lapses. Jesus reserves his strong condemnation for those who misuse power and authority, take advantage of the helpless, scorn those in need, or stand in the way of his mission. This provides a key to understanding the older brother whose sin of self-righteous comes dangerously close to the later category.
Dave Rogerson
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i am currently doing an assignment in school on biblical parables. i was wondering if you had a simplified childrens version that i could get hold of. thank you
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[ Luke.16:13 ] [Bible] NewAmerican Standard. No servent can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth[cf.Luke:16:9].
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I decided to google search Prodigal Son to try to get some insight and here I found all these great comments.

Today my son told me he wanted to withdraw his savings so he could buy a new drum set. I told him the story of the lost son (I think from now on I'm going to call him Prodigal) and his reply was, "Hey, this is not an inheritance, this is money I earned from my summer job!"

Anyway, I hope he got the point that I still love him even if he spends all his money on stuff that he won't remember in five years.
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Maybe it just means that barren people should die... but not necessarily right away. Let barren women wither in their infertility awhile. What is all this about Israel???
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The man who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
The feild is the whole world.
The good seed represents those who worship God, while the weeds represent the opposite: those who don't worship Him.
The person who planet the weeds is Satan.
The harvest is the close of probation at the end of the world, all who are wicked are picked out of those who are good and will not go to heaven.
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hello fellow my Christian neighbors!! i was wondering what yall thought of what the religious significance was of this parable, the Good Samaritan, and how it pertains to our lives today. What is God trying to say in this parable? what message is HE trying to convey? PLEASE get back to me!! thankyou ever so much
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One Talent Man buried it in the "earth," was cast out into utter darkness. For when the Light-Word-Truth came, the darkness comprehended it not (The John 1:5). Because the darkness believed that salvation was for the Jewsish church. For those who believe Jesus spake not for without a parable, it's reasonable to believe that the pre-Incarnate Jesus taught Moses how to write Gensis in parable, metaphor, and allegory. For the apostle Paul in Galatians 4:24 confirms the 2 covenants, the first with the bondwoman, Hagar, as well as the freewoman, were allegory. Likewise Moses addressed his people as following, "Give ear O' heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O' earth, the words of my mouth." Deuteronomy 32:1. Therefore the priesthood equated with the emotionally, spiritual matured were cast out into utter darkness because they failed to reflect the Light-Word-Truth to their own church. They buried their very reason to be in utter darkness. A serious warning to Christendom. Deone Hanson
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I hope that it is possible to assist me
I have a Bible Study on
St. John 4:35 - The Ripe Harvest;
James 3:18 - The Plenteous Harvest;
Luke 10:2 - The Righteous Harvest.

I urgently need information please help me
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1. why is this parable only recorded by luke?
2. Why is there no mother in the story?
3. Could this parable refer to the story of Jacob in Genesis? There seem to be many parallels.
4. Many of us do what the prodigal son did--leave home and misuse our inheritance. I know of many cases. But was the son completely restored to his former priveledged position after he came home, or was he treated as a guest?
5. It seems unfair that the older son was never given a party--but God is a God of justice--there seems to be a contradiction between the justice of God and the mercy of God.
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We are all prodigals
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See this fascinating take on the parable at:

http://www.theotherside.org/archive/may-jun99/myers.html
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I AM A PRODIGAL SON. I RETURNED TO THE FAITH OF MY YOUTH AND LIKE AN ADDICT WHO RETURNS TO HIS ADDICTION AFTER A LONG TIME AWAY FROM IT FINDS HE IS ADDICTED AT THE LEVEL HE WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD HE NEVER BEEN FREE OF IT.
I EMBRACED MY FAITH AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAN I HAD THIRTY YEARS BEFORE. I AM ECSTATIC AT BEING FORGIVEN AND TAKEN BACK INTO THE FOLD OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE LOVING BODY OF CHRISTS CHURCH.
MY DAUGHTER LEFT THE MY PREVIOUS CHURCH AND EMBRACED ANOTHER WHOLE HEARTEDLY. NOW WHEN I LONG TO COMMUNE WITH ALL MY CHILDREN ABOUT GODS LOVE AND HIS WORD SHE BECOMES HOSTILE TOWARD ME AND MY FAITH AND DEFENSIVE ABOUT HER OWN.
I SEE THE PRODIGAL SON PARABLE IN THAT LIGHT. SHE AS THE ONE WHO STAYED WITH THE FATHER BUT RESENTS ME FOR COMING BACK TO GOD WITH HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE AND WANTING TO SPREAD GODS LOVE TO THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW IT LIKE I DO. SHE IS NOT REALLY WITH THE FATHER AND DOES NOT KNOW HIS MESSAGE OF LOVE TO ALL SINNERS BUT LIKE THE PHARASEES STICKS STRICTLY TO THE LETTER OF THE LAW AS SHE SEES IT THROUGH HER INSTRUCTION. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE I AM JUDGING HER BUT I AM THE ONE WHO LISTENS TO HER ACID TOUNGUE AND PRAY SILENTLY FOR HER SOUL TO MYSELF, ASKING THE HOLY SPIRIT TO OPEN HER MIND TO SEE HER PRIDE TAKING CONTROL OF HER THOUGHTS. WE PARENTS LOVE OUR CHILDREN NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO OR SAY TO US. IT BREAKS MY HEART NOT FOR ANY INJUSTICE THAT SHE OR I HAVE CAUSED EACH OTHER ALTHOUGH I WAS WRONG FOR TOO LONG BUT BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE LIKE HIS SON AND 'FORGIVE THEM THEIR TRESSPASSES.' I DON'T TAKE HER WORDS AS AN AFRONT TO MYSELF BUT TO GOD. THAT MAKES ME SAD , KNOWING ALL HE HAS DONE FOR US AND WE STILL DON'T TRUELY UNDERSTAND HIS MESSAGE 'LOVE ONE ANOTHER'
I THOUGHT I'D SEND HER A LETTER QUOTING THE 15th chapter of Luke and the good son in the prodigal son parable but I see from your responses how many ways she could misinterpret it, so I'll just pray more intensly for all my children and trust in his will.
Thank you for the insight you have given me.

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Jesus is " the author of eternal salvation [' salvation for the age'] unto all them that obey him"
[Heb.5:9,cf.Gen.42:55,56;
Matt.7:24-29;John.15:1-15]. A Christian must follow that which the Lord has commanded [which will result in his keeping himself unspotted by the world].

Sin is disobedience to that which the Lord has commanded. And though Christians- presently in a body of flesh, housing the old sin nature-may fall, cleansing is available. That's why Christ is presently exercising the office of High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary [cf.John 13:8-10; Heb. 10:19-22; 1 John 1:6-2:2].

Sin must be dealt with prior to the battle. Then, believing that the Lord will do exactly what He has promised,victory after victory can ensue as the person moves forward, keeping his eyes fixed on the goal. There can be no such thing as defeat if one moves in accord with the Lords instructions.
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Does anyone have an opinion on what the sandals represent?
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The parable of the sower calls for steadfastness from all believers. Teh word must be strongly rooted in you so as to produce result.
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