do us a favor and get some manners please. these people are here to discuss the bible, not write your hw for you.

god bless
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Do you think that there are consequences for our sin? Is it possible, for example, that health problems can be a direct result or consequence for a life of eating junk food?
I'm dealing with a rebelious kid... he's lied, then we've caught him and he's apologized. Then he's lied again. Again, we've caught him later on and he's apologized. Each time, we've gone straight back to having the arms wide open like the father in this story. But it keeps happening again and again. The kid says that he's sorry and that he's been like the prodigal son and we must forgive him because that's what God wants us to do. And forgive, I will gladly do. However, trust is another thing completely... and I'm really struggling with understanding how the "unconditional forgiveness" fits into the whole picture. Does God want us to continue to put ourselves in the position of being lied to and yelled at over and over again? Is that healthy and a part of loving people like He does?
And I'm wondering, are we projecting an attitude onto the older son that was never expressed in Scripture? I think that the older son must have seen how hurt the father had been during the time that his younger son was gone. And that must've hurt him too. And I think that there is the part in me (as the older son type) that wants to know that there is a reason that I'm following hard after God and being faithful to my family and to the things He has called me to. If living life for myself and giving into my ungodly desires has no consequence, then why shouldn't I indulge myself? See, the difference I see between the two sons is that one gave into the sinful desires and another held strong because of his faith in God and his love for his father. It's not a sin to be tempted - heck, Jesus Christ was tempted in the New Testament. What IS a sin though, is when we give in to those desires.
How do I PRACTICALLY respond to the prodigal son... especially when it's hard to tell if he's really returned? After the arms wide open and the party and the ring... what then? PLEASE HELP ME!!!
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My first thing is that a servant is a christian and a beleiver.

Strong's Number: 1401 servant Transliterated: doulos Phonetic: doo'-los

Text: from 1210; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): --bond(-man), servant.

Strong's Number: 4190 evil Transliterated: poneros Phonetic: pon-ay-ros'

Text: from a derivative of 4192; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from 2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from 4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous; also (but) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners: - -bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness). See also 4191.

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What's the difference between a Pharisee and a Sadducee? Is it true that the Pharisees were based in the synagoges while the Sadducees were based in the Temple? What kind of "traditions" did the Pharisees adhere to? Why were they perceived to be so rigid?
I was told that the Publicans at the time of Christ were Jews themselves who collected taxes from their own people and got as much as possible because they were paid on commission. I was also told they were paid not in currency but in goods. Is this the case? Can you tell me more about the Publicans at the time of Christ.

Thanks
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According to what I understand it was the custom for the Jewish bridegroom to pick up the bride to be and they walked to the grooms fathers house where the marriage takes place. All the virgins had oil in their lamps. Some believe the parable is saying they had empty lamps. The difference was that the wise took a back up supply of oil to refill if the bridegroom tarried! When he did not come as soon as the foolish five thought he would they were unprepared! There "oil" or fire had ran out! Then they begged for oil from the wise! I believe the "oil" represents faith, perservance, be on fire for the Lord etc. This is the responsibility of each one of us as it can not be loaned or borrowed! We can not put a time table on the Lords return so we must always be prepared no matter the hour he returns! We do not want to be on the outside and hear "I do not know you"
Darrell
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Although many of those who dare interpret the extremely difficult Parable of the Unrighteous Mammon (Luke 16:1-13) have seen the lessons to be learned as otherworldly for heaven, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ still expects His followers to obey it beyond conversion to Christ to get out of coming damnation for sin sure to be found out. This parable is no mere allegory; it has practical value, sadly neglected by today's churches. I aim to show the following twin points:

(1) The availability of individual faithfulness in the unrighteous mammon through personal practice of bankruptcy law (vv. 1-8).

(2) The importance of corporate faithfulness of a congregation in the unrighteous mammon by sending the members in Christ out to befriend the rich people of the world (vv. 9-13).

These points are of great importance to depose the evil servants in charge of so many of today's churches and to dethrone stingy Budgets which have severely limited the work of God in most congregations.

First, let us examine the practical value of the parable alone in Luke 16:1-8. I leave it to others to explain the allegory in which the master represents God threatening damnation yet offering to afford our salvation; still, however, as it continues to speak differently to the converted, there is great practical value even for surely born-again Christians to heed in it. Let us now examine the transactions of this parable as a triangular double exchange.

These exchanges are reminiscent of bankruptcy proceedings. If we follow the example of the Unjust Steward, except his dishonesty, as believers, we should seek a way to offer mercy to the world as the fired steward offered partial forgiveness of perhaps legally binding debts --- in exchange for the debtors' good will (vv. 4 - 7). We should seek a way to arrange for the indebted people of the world to provide partial payment to its masters in exchange for the masters' words of forgiveness (vv. 6 - 8). We should seek a deal with the masters of this world to offer them our professional services in exchange for the commissions or fees of the steward's position (vv. 1, 3, 8). Such a position is available out in the world for us to take up: bankruptcy lawyer.

In almost any modern bankruptcy case, the judge and creditor(s) hold the master's position in the parable; the debtor holds the debtors' position; while in the position of the steward being fired are bankruptcy lawyers. The bankruptcy lawyers corresponding to the parable are not permanent employees of the creditors and will seek other cases when the case at hand is closed. The deal is similar to the parable as follows: The bankruptcy lawyers grant mercy to the debtor by arguing the case for forgiveness of debts before the judge in the presence of the creditor(s). The debtor provides partial payment to the creditor(s) and remains grateful to his lawyer in addition to paying the lawyer's fees. The judge presents the word of justice to all creditors and to the debtor through explaining how the settlement thus reached is fair according to all applicable laws and precedents. The creditor pays lawyer's fees in exchange for legal services. Thus does the profession of bankruptcy law embody personal emulation of the role of the Unjust Steward.

Alas, it is not easy to take this position up in modern English-speaking countries. In the days of Jesus' ministry, nigh any freeman, or servant or slave with his master's permission, well-behaved in court, could argue as an advocate for the creditors or the bankrupt; Roman bankruptcy law was simple and harsh. Today's English-speaking countries, on the other hand, aim to protect the public from "unqualified" professionals; the result is a long, expensive and worrisome training of law school and certification such that disbarment is greatly feared. There are therefore two good reasons for Christians not to train for the professional position of bankruptcy lawyer: worry (Matt. 6:24ff) and belief that Jesus might rapture us saints out of this world before the career could pay off. Nevertheless, whenever an entire congregation of many Christians has left the profession of bankruptcy law completely to worldly lawyers, that church is not following the example of the Unjust Steward.

What brings me to my second point is that it is not always possible for Christians to hold the positions of bankruptcy lawyer. A missionary is uniquely ill-equipped to argue cases at law in a foreign language, for instance. For this reason, Jesus Christ has given us the real requirements for faithfulness in the unrighteous mammon in practice on a congregational level (Luke 16:9-13): that at each congregation claiming to follow Jesus we make friends with the wealth of unrightous people so that they might take us in if we should lose our homes through persecution, disaster, or financial trouble (v. 9) and so that the rich people of the world might endow us with the wealth created by God for us which accrues to the rich so that we might be well-funded for generous Christian ministry (vv. 11-12). That we cannot serve both God and Mammon (wealth) (v. 13) indicates what happens whenever a church is thoroughly unfaithful in the unrighteous mammon and relies on hard-earned donations for its function and replaces the generosity of God with stingy Budgets. Such churches have held to their Budgets and despised Jesus Christ's commands to give freely and set people free from financial worries, just as He predicted! Judgement is coming for these evil servants in charge!

Now if you read Luke 16:9 or any discussion of it with "it" in the second clause instead of "ye" or "you" (all, as a congregation), the text has been corrupted and translated from a Greek text missing the two letters Tau and Epsilon present in the word "eklipe^te," "(when) you fail financially," in the correct text. Please ignore such an author's or preacher's pronouncements from the wrong text (e. g., NIV) and pick up a King James Version to interpret correctly. Even experts reading from the corrupted translations make false promises of houses and welcomes in heaven and claim a false need to have the favor of many poor people in Christ for heaven's sake in eternity. Do not believe their mistaken promises; the "failing" in verse 9 is loss of home in the here and now rather than loss of dominion after death. Now, if we neglect the rich mission field as most American Christians have seen fit to do, we shall continue to lack the means for faithful local ministry, let alone world evangelism (v. 12). I, Kevin Douglas Rosenberg, refuse to tolerate this abominable state of affairs any longer; I decry and denounce the evil servants in charge of most churches and cry out for their master to return in the here and now (Matt. 24:45-51). Let it be known that those evil servants in charge when their master returns have no forgiveness from me, but sure awareness of the wrongness of their expedients to serve Christ in stinginess while His Holy Word requires their generosity. If the laws in the way of this judgement were repealed, I could gladly call a respected pastor an evil servant in charge and hack him apart and kick him out and flog him if I had the position; that position, however, is not mine, but that of the gatherings which hire such individuals. In the meantime, be sure of each church's need for favor with the rich people of the world, especially if there be no bankruptcy lawyers in it.

Let God enrich your churches through the favor of the rich people of the world, not through hard, proud work. Good luck!


(Erratum to my earlier message: A transposition occurred in my typing afflicted with carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes in both arms: "Matt. ... 6:42" -- a nonexistent verse -- should have read "Matt. ... 6:24, ..." in which Jesus taught against worry.)
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The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed,
which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Which indeed is the least of all seeds:
but when it is grown,
it is the greatest among herbs,
and becometh a tree,
so that the birds of the air come
and lodge in the branches thereof.

heaven = mustard seed.
mustard seed = a tiny tiny seed.
mustard seed = a herb.
least of all seeds = a tiny tiny seed.
But when a mustard seeds grows it becomes the greatest among herbs.

The Kingdom of heaven started with a few Jews getting in to the
marriage, then the rest rejected him and killed the prophets, so he
sent his son and they killed him also, So he sent his servants
which are us Christians to go into the streets & invite everybody
who would come into his Kingdom for the wedding.

The growth of the tree doesn't represent a monstrosity!

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I am looking for a large picture of a tree grown from a mustard seed to
use as an object lesson with children - young and old!
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The 5 wise virgins were getting married to the bridgroom.


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The answer is in the word if you have ears for hearing.

Rita
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Just like all these other folks, I would love to see a picture if you could possible email it to me. Thanks.
Karen
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If the wise virgins are the Church as many of us(including me) why did they not tell the foolish virgins to come as you are to the master? We as the Church often fail to see the wideness of Gods mercy and grace. God welcomed the prodigal as he was not requiring that he go to those who sell oil first. The wise virgins basically told the foolish to go and cleanse yourself and make yourself ready for God. We cannot do this. Justification comes from God alone and through Grace we are sanctified. We too tell those who are seeking Christ that they must pray a certain way, act a certain way, tithe etc. in order to be the right kind of Christian. In short we send the foolish out for the oil of the world, that is works. But praise be to God, even though we who have tasted salvation continue to be blind to the wideness of Gods mercy we are still welcome at the Lords Table. I am fully convinced if the foolish virgins came out and fell at the Bridegrooms feet he would have embraced them. And further if when they came to the gate and told him that they had tried the oil that the world offered but now have come to God for salvation that God would have thrown wide the door and let them in. When they came however they came still trying to gain entry with the oil of the world. Let the Church stop offering the oil of the world and start offering Christ.
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To Lucius,

The Holy Spirit has caused me to consider the brother who stayed home with the Father. For years I thought the brother's indignation was justified. Jesus was speaking to the Pharasees when teaching this parable. So I must consider am I like the Pharasees? If I take the side of the brother who stayed home then I do not have a tender heart for the lost. Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves. If the brother cannot even love his brother and celebrate his return how can he love his neighbor.
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The Trinity has always been a permanent part of God's kingdom (God is All) but hidden from view to the Church because of their blindness, and is still hidden from their view in a big degree. The true Trinity is not a human invention. The Church may THINK they know what the Trinity is, but your view of it is a better view than theirs. I doubt if the Church would acknowledge your view. It is interesting to note that just about that time, (300 A.D.) the raising of the dead ceased. Many think that when the Church government got into religion with all their rules, dogma, symbols, rites and rituals that that was the reason that raising of the dead stopped. "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? " Acts 26:8 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12. Spirituality was lost to ritualism, consequently healing power lost too. The true Trinity is most certainly part of the Leaven, and the other way around also. Your idea of the Trinity is a better one than that of the Church. Why do we feel that it is incredible that Christians were able to raise the dead 300 years after the crucifixion of Jesus? We need to rethink our methods to be able to "go and do likewise."
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to people
is love your neighbour really right?
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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 Prodigal Son is a parable of a wayward son reunited with his father and family after having squandered all his inheritance through wasteful and idolatrous living. Learn of God’s overwhelming and encompassing love for those who humbly repent of their foolish ways. The example of the father’s joy of the return of his repentant young son is contrasted against the trust and rewards kept for those who do not waste that which God entrusts to them.



A terrific way to teach a child this story of God's faithfulness. This is a very wonderful lesson for children's bible stories which can be found at http://www.nestfamily.com

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I have a copy of the KJV1611 - it must not be inspired because it was revised numerous times. The version this website uses is the KJV 1769.

For God so loued the world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.

What? Doesn't seem familiar?

Yes, that's the KJV 1611.

Maybe you've been told you read the 1611, but chances are, you don't. You read the 1769 revised KJV.

Don't be upset. It's a tactic leaders have used for centuries. They make their congregations feel "special" and "set apart" by trying to separate them from other people.

For that matter, should Chinese people use the KJV 1611, or are you suggesting it is only for English speakers?
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Matt,

Not only does the parable speak to me, but so does your message. In my younger days I worked hard and exploited my professional talents. I amassed sizable wealth and had the pleasure of building homes that I and buyers were proud of. I became more and more playful, coasting on the material wealth and "security" that I "created", ignoring God and thinking that I alone controlled my destiny. Rather than praise God and continue my profession in earnest, I decided to invest my $$$ and look forward to an early, comfortable retirement. Work days became shorter. Recreation became expensive. I was smarter than the average Joe, right? WRONG! God reminded me who was boss. Sizable losses in the stock market was the large helping of humble pie I sorely needed. I now treasure what I have, most of all my God and my family. I know that if I use my talents wisely, I will multiply and honor God. With that comes peace of mind knowing that I've done my best.

Good luck in your studies of law. After 20 years experience in practicing law, I hope to give you some advice: you can be a good lawyer without compromising your Christian beliefs . . . even the most vexing problems can be solved with meditation and prayer.
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I have a challenge for anyone reading this. In my studies of the “kingdom of God” there is this mystical thing breathing in the background that if you understand and accept, it will make you more productive in the kingdom of God. I’m convinced that it is the actual spirit of the matter, and if not understood, a lot of people will sit there and scratch their heads pondering why their spiritual lives are not more productive. What is this mystical spirit that permeates the teachings of the kingdom of God? It’s the spirit of true humility.

Humility is something that can be misconstrued. One person may think their being humble by saying “there’s none righteous no not one” and this is after he’s made Jesus the lord of his life. In their false sense of humility they reject scripture that support that in Christ we have become the righteousness of God. Humbleness never says “oh, no God. You’re sadly mistaken. I’m a putrid thing, if you only knew how pathetic I really am”. Notice the arrogance in this. Telling God that he’s so stupid he doesn’t know how retched you are. When he’s the guy who told you to repent for being a sinner. There comes a time when we must humble ourselves as children and just accept what he says without challenging him. What do we care if he says you’re the richest person in the universe? ACCEPT IT! What do we care? What if he says you’re the most beautiful person in the universe? Don’t run and look in the mirror and say I’m hideous, and through doing so cast Gods word out as a lie. Just accept it like a child does. “You’re a good boy aren’t you Johnny”? “Oh no mom I’m a retch”! Children don’t act like that and we need to learn to do the same thing. Otherwise his word will never penetrate our hearts and will not sink roots. Doesn’t the ground have to receive the seed before the seed will grow and produce fruit? Well what does it matter what God says-if it’s a good thing?

Now notice these expressions used in scripture and see if you don’t notice an underlying spirit. “HIDDEN”, “SECRET” ”CONCEALED”, “WHISPERED IN THE EAR IN CLOSETS”, (your own prayer closet) “DO NOT DISIGURE YOUR FACE WHEN FASTING LIKE THE HYPOCRITS DO”, “LET NOT THE LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAD DOETH”, “DO THY ALMS IN SECRET” ‘SOUND NOT THE TRUMPET AS THE HYPORITS DO”. Do you see anything in all these expressions? The idea is that if we will humble ourselves and be content to be hidden, to do things in private, not attempting to show things to the outer world, YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL REWARD YOU OPENLY.

There is a story that frequently comes up in faith circles that goes like this. A woman was suffering from a terrible goiter that had grown to about the size of a basketball hanging from her neck- if that’s not an exaggeration. Well this woman wood come to the meetings of a very blessed man of God by the name of Wigglesworth (last name). For three years in a row she would come to these meetings and testify to the crowd that she had been healed by God and was demonstrating her faith by doing so. Well, in the presence of the crowd as she was testifying, the goiter disappeared and she was healed. Truly a wonderful miracle. But faith people have seized upon this to say, “Look at the faith of this person who would testify of things that are not yet manifested as though they already were” and they encourage to do likewise But did you know that Jesus taught just the opposite? “Yes, but she was healed” you may say. Isn’t God wonderful! I’ve been blessed too when my thinking was absolutely backwards. The secret of faith is to do just the opposite. It’s called humility or humbling yourself before God. We are to accept Gods word into our hearts through prayer and then to conceal it as though it was a map to a treasure. Harboring it in our hearts and literally fighting its’ coming to the surface. “Let not your left hand know what the right hand doeth” If it’s you, then you have your reward. But if it’s God who’s doing the exalting, you’ll be exalted indeed, in the presence of people. I liken it to a train jumping its tracks at just the right time. Your own heart will assume a mind of it’s own.

Maybe the act of planting a seed is literally humbling that seed. It’s dead you know. The life has gone out of it. Maybe it’s an example of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. But one thing is certain to me anyway. There is a spirit of meekness that just beckons God to exalt us. Maybe in this day and age of know-it-alls, we’ve become a little too all knowing ourselves. Maybe we need to hide ourselves in Christ trusting that the father will promote us into the light. Just a thought.



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I am looking for a picture of a mustard seed. Can you kindly let me know where I can find one? Thanks.

Greg Nam
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What was special about the way the fig tree of the Middle East grew. Once I figure that out then mabe I can understand this parable.
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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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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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For michelle Tobin and everyone else:
It seems by the way Jesus told the story, that one need not be a christian to inherit eternal life. Jesus was asked this question and after the parable answered " Go and do likewise". Now the good samaritan was not a christian, but a product of mixed interbreeding between jews from the Northern Kingdom and other people after Israel's exile. They were considered heretics. Yet, it was what was in the samaritans heart that was the focal point of the parable. To say that only christians ( only people who accept Jesus as their Lord and savior and accept that he died on the cross for their sins) are going to be saved, is in a way like, judging other people. And as you well know, Jesus clearly states "judge not, least you yourself be judged.
Amen and God bless everyone.
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The moral of the parable is plainly expressed in verse 35. "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" (Matthew 18:35). The forgiveness by God of which children of God are recipients must be demonstrated by them toward their fellows.

The immensity of the debt does not hinder God's full and free pardon (Isa. 1:18; 55:7). God will save the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). No one is beyond forgiveness; it makes little difference as to how many, how big, and how long one's sins have reached.25

God, then, teaches us how to forgive. Finally,

. . . this parable is striking and impressive because of its acute contrasts. First, there is the contrast of Peter's number and the Lord's. Peter was willing to forgive several times, but the Lord said to forgive to infinity. Second, there is the contrast of the two debts. One was a trifling sum, the other was unpayable
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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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Edwin,
Jesus says that if you live for him that He will take care of everything else, including the people who are making your life miserable. Living for Jesus is not always easy, it is full of suffering and riducle, but look at the suffering and judgement that He went through just to save you and me. It is important to remember that God will bless you eternally as long as you obey His commands and although it doesn't seem like it He is sovreign through all things ecspecially this situation. It is not for us to understand why these things occur but it is important to trust and have complete faith in His Sovreingy for our lives. One of the important themes in Mark is suffering. Jesus said if we want to follow Him we must endure suffering.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" Mark 10:45

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways adn my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
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Please senda picture of a Musard Tree
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As you treat others in life so to shall ye be treated.

Forgive others and you will be forgiven. Be merciful to others and God will show you mercy.

What we see in life is a dim reflection of ourselves.


God does work through everyone and every thing.

The good the bad and the ugly.

Be merciful to thers when they wrong you, forgive them and you will find that people will treat you the same.

Love your brother as you love yourself.

Forgive others and God will forgive you.



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Dear Phil,
I have read ur commentary on the topic of 'the fig tree' i only now came across this page and found it ...
could u explain what u mean?

I dont knwo if u remember that what u wrote there but i cant copy and paste...:(

it sounds interesting but i would like to hear a bit more if possible

thank you very much
with God's Blessing

Goshia
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There are several ways to look at this parable and still fulfill gods love.I am sure that Jesus was being very specific though when he spoke at the time.Our Lords words just seem to touch each persons life in a little different way.Our Lord was all things to all people and this parable reaches all in one way or another.This parable to me shows me that even the type of person that might outwardly in appearance be rough and offensive, may just be the person that the Lord uses to touch your life in a blessed way, or to pull you from the gutter.Who knows truly about anyone around us but the Holy Spirit that guides us and speaks to us.Our jobs as christians is to be as accepting as possible and to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.We are to set the example like christ , being Good samaritans and to lift others into the position of Good Samaritans.God Bless and keep your Hearts to all who read this.
Your Brother in Christ,
Chris
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You said I should read you last posting, well I did and it's more of the same nonsense! I will tell you, Instead of knocking, (11Corin-13-5) You need to examine yourself, and be sure whether Christ Jesus is in you, except you be Reprobate! You will find no one, who loves My Lord Jesus Christ, more then I do, I have been homeless, I have gone without my daily needs, I am disabled, I have been cold, hungry and without proper clothing, but no matter what state I have been in, or may be in, He has given me Riches according to His Glory!
(Ephesians-3-16) He has granted me, to be strengthened with might, by His Spirit in my inner soul, that I am comfortable, no matter what condition I find myself in!
My only concern is for this lost deceived world, that He gave His Life for, that the world might receive the knowledge of Him, that they might be saved! If you don't love the Lost, enough to give your life that they might be saved, you need to find another way to make the almighty dollar!
That's the very problem with today's religious leaders, their first love is like your, their own self gain, the Riches of the World, the almighty dollar!
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The best sermon I ever heard was about "the other son". It is also why this parable to me is NOT the most easiest to understand. When is it ok to say "what about me???" Perhaps "the other son" was really "the lost son".
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Perhaps the lesson is for parents.

Do welcome your children back into your life.

Don't take for granted, the children who stand by you steadfastly.

???

Why is it never interpreted as a lesson for parents in how to value their children and be sure to validate their children's feelings?

Why did he not throw the party in honour of BOTH sons? Wouldn't it have been better for him to show an appreciation of the return of the younger and the steadfastness of the elder?

Why did he do something that would foreseeably divide his sons and promote adversity between them?

Why did he not run out into the field with the younger one exclaiming, "Your brother has returned and both my sons are here and well and safe. Let us kill a pig."

I'm thinking this story is to teach us 'how to' and 'how not to' be an effective parent.
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I just wanted to thankyou Raphael. I had at first misunderstood what it was that you were saying, but in finishing what you had written I was very pleased to see that it was a great confirmation fo the Love that is given us through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thankyou and God bless you!

Your Brother in Christ,

Christopher
Lynn
Godwin

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The fig tree without fruit represents our fruitless life. The leaves represent the word of God. You see we can have a lot of word in us but not produce fruit. The word of God in us has to be watered, birth in our spirit and then preached to the people. When the Lord told the man that he was going to cut the tree down and the man told the Lord no give me a year I will dig it up and fertilize it this reminded me of how Jesus interceeds on our behalf. Even Moses interceeded for the people of Israel when they were worshipping the golden calf. Even though this was a tree the man loved that tree and he knew that if he was given the chance to dig up the ground and fertilize it there would be fruit the following year. This is the same love the Lord has for us he always gives us a second chanc
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The fig tree without fruit represents our fruitless life. The leaves represent the word of God. You see we can have a lot of word in us but not produce fruit. The word of God in us has to be watered, birth in our spirit and then preached to the people. When the Lord told the man that he was going to cut the tree down and the man told the Lord no give me a year I will dig it up and fertilize it this reminded me of how Jesus interceeds on our behalf. Even Moses interceeded for the people of Israel when they were worshipping the golden calf. Even though this was a tree the man loved that tree and he knew that if he was given the chance to dig up the ground and fertilize it there would be fruit the following year. This is the same love the Lord has for us he always gives us a second chance
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Dear Friend ,
Eternal Salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8, 9), and it is based entirely upon the finished work of of another ( John. 19:30). Nothing which man has done , is presently doing , or will ever do can have anything to do with his enternal destiny. Man can do no more than receive by faith that which has already been done on his behalf. This is why Scripture states, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" ( Acts. 16:31).
As being a christian and saved that christian can be a man of the world -- a person interested in the things of the world rather than the things of God, as Esau sold his birthright and considered his birthright to be of little value, he considered one meal to be more value and sold his rights as firstborn for a meal.
Christians can go the way of Esau and Lot -- having any spiritual sences and perspectives progressively dulled by the things of the world -- resulting in the thier progressively being overthrown in the land of Esau and Lot. Or they can keep their eyes fixed on the goal, dwell in the tabernacles with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the high country -- "excape to the mountians" ( Gen. 19:17), having their spiritual sences and progressively strengthened -- and one day realize the rights of the firstborn.
The former is the easy life, and the latter is not so easy. In fact , the latter often becomes quite difficult. But what will be the end be? That's what matters!
To be in the wedding festivties ( Matt. 25:10 ) a christian must be a overcomer as stated in the letters to the seven Churches in (Rev.) this will enable him to claim his firstborn rights to Christ's Kingdom and the 1000 year rule. As a overcomer you must overcome the World, Saten, and the flesh.
To overcome the world you obey Christs commandments, to overcome Saten you resist him, to overcome the flesh you mortify it daily. I pray this has helped.
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In Mark 11:23-24 Jesus said:

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

I have already submitted that the very thing that we are cultivating in Mark Chapter four is faith or belief. If the same word or idea found in Mark 11:24 is “believe”, then couldn’t we overlay the teaching template or matrix-so to speak-of Mark chapter four’s teaching, over this scripture, to gain some enlightenment into what’s being said?

If you do a translation comparison amongst many translations you will find that in some translations they use the expression “believe you receive it” (present tense). Others use the expression “believe you HAVE received it” (past tense). So which one is it? And might it be explained by the idea of farming or sowing and reaping? (Parable of the sower, Mustard seed etc.)

This has bothered me for a long time because I couldn’t rectify there being any similarities between the two. And something so important as the scripture by Jesus instructing us as to how to get our prayers answered; must be clearly understood. Doesn’t it?

Consider if you will that this might be what’s going on here. Notice in verse 24 the expression “when you pray”.

Might a farmer when planting his field (at that very point in time in which the seeds hit the soil) be doing the natural equivalent of the spiritual idea of “believing”-present tense? Could Jesus be saying that we are planting something when we “believe” it- present tense? Might we be doing the actual planting of the seed of Gods word, when we say in prayer “I believe it”, “ I receive it by believing it”, “now”?

Now, back to the “when you pray”. Might this expression be a TIME STAMP? Which endorses our petition, locking it in at a certain time and place? And if this scripture has within it this “time stamp”, and the flow of time is heading into the future, can you see how that the time stamp now falls in the PAST after we’ve prayed? (It now becomes past tense.) With every second after we’ve prayed-BELIEVING, for us to keep the time stamp valid and the continuity of this scripture valid, then we would have to change our confession to past tense. Or the time stamp is nullified and our seed ruined or kept from growing. (The scripture ceases to be applied).

Isn’t this what farmer’s do?

What if you noticed every three days a farmer out in his field RE-planting his crop? Would he ever come to a harvest? I submit NO. A farmer has to get the planting of his crop behind him for the year and then he can expect the seed to grow. And yet our NOT CHANGING our confession from I “believe” present tense, to “I have believed” past tense, is the very thing that our hearts hear as a mixed message (The word is being sown in our hearts). Not to mention violating of the conditions of the scripture.

We have to “believe” (confess out loud before God, in the secret place of our prayer closet-NOT before men. “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed you might SAY… Verse 23, whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain…) that God grants us what we pray for “when we pray”, then change our mind set allowing the time stamp to lock that prayer in time thus drifting into the past tense. To pray again in the present tense resets the time stamp and we start the growing cycle over, forfeiting the time that we spent waiting for the growing cycle to be completed. We could do that forever never receiving a thing. Does that sound like anybody that you know? Me too! (We won’t say whom.)

When farmers come in from the field HAVING planted their seed for the year, they probably say, “I’m glad that’s done”. They crack open a cold one knowing that the reaction between the ground and Gods unique creation, the seed, will shortly go to work causing a crop to begin to grow. How does he know? It’s been written in nature from the beginning of time. Seeds just grow. They’re miraculous. The thing that causes them to grow is the fact that he’s a descendant of his forefather seed, the one that God spoke to in Genesis commanding them to GROW. If you understand this alone, you will see how farmers are cultivating Gods word without even knowing it (their literal miracles-LITERAL).

The apostle Paul said in Corinthians that the seed has to die first before it will grow. And there is no life in it at the time it’s planted. Where does the life come from? Apart from Gods word-I don’t know. But they grow.

If you remember anything that I have written remember this: We receive from God in the present tense, NOW. We received Gods word by believing it (learn to use that word in prayer, your head my not understand it but your heart does) present tense-NOW.

But for this scripture to remain applied, and to not violate the time stamp that we applied at the time of prayer, we then must allow it to slip into the past tense and KEEP it there. Any pulling it out of the past tense (“I HAVE receivED it”, “when I believED it”, “when I prayed”) cancels out the scripture. Your violating the “when you pray” time stamp that we endorse our prayers with.

According to scriptures all of Gods promises are written in the past tense, indicating that he’s already provided whatsoever things we ask-BELEIVEING. We engage our faith for them when we “believe” them (accept, plant, hide, bury, keep secret).

If done properly, with the course of time (the growing cycle needs to be completed, patience is required) our heavenly father will reward us openly for the things we planted in prayer when we believed.

Believe, plant, and reap, may your joy be full!


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Thanks for the insights - they help in sermon prep. I've been reading what Dr. Martin Luther King said:
ON BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR
Martin Luther King
And who is my neighbour?
Luke 10: 29

I SHOULD LIKE to talk with you about a good man, whose exemplary life will always be a flashing light to plague the dozing conscience of mankind. His goodness was not found in a passive commitment to a particular creed, but in his active participation in a life saving deed; not in a moral pilgrimage that reached its destination point, but in the love ethic by which he journeyed life's highway. He was good because he was a good neighbor.
The ethical concern of this man is expressed in a magnificent little story, which begins with a theological discussion on the meaning of eternal life and concludes in a concrete expression of compassion on a dangerous road. Jesus is asked a question by a man who had been trained in the details of Jewish law: "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life." The retort is prompt: "What is written in the law? How readest thou?" After a moment the lawyer recites articulately: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." Then comes the decisive word from Jesus: "Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live."
The lawyer was chagrined. "Why," the people might ask, "would an expert in law raise a question that even the novice can answer?" Desiring to justify himself and to show that Jesus' reply was far from conclusive, the lawyer asks, "And who is my neighbour?" The lawyer was now taking up the cudgels of debate that might have turned the conversation into an abstract theological discussion. But Jesus, determined not to be caught in the "paralysis of analysis," pulls the question from mid air and places it on a dangerous curve between Jerusalem and Jericho.
He told the story of "a certain man" who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers who stripped him, beat him, and, departing, left him half dead. By chance a certain priest appeared, but he passed by on the other side, and later a Levite also passed by. Finally, a certain Samaritan, a half-breed from a people with whom the Jews had no dealings, appeared. When he saw the wounded man, he was moved with compassion, administered first aid, placed him on his beast, "and brought him to an inn, and took care of him."
Who is my neighbor? "I do not know his name," says Jesus in essence. "He is anyone toward whom you are neighborly. He is anyone who lies in need at life's roadside. He is neither Jew nor Gentile; he is neither Russian nor American; he is neither Negro nor white. He is 'a certain man' any needy man on one of the numerous Jericho roads of life." So Jesus defines a neighbor, not in a theological definition, but in a life situation.
What constituted the goodness of the good Samaritan? Why will he always be an inspiring paragon of neighborly virtue? It seems to me that this man's goodness may be described in one word altruism. The good Samaritan was altruistic to the core. What is altruism? The dictionary defines altruism as "regard for, and devotion to, the interest of others." The Samaritan was good because he made concern for others the first law of his life.
The Samaritan had the capacity for a universal altruism. He had a piercing insight into that which is beyond the eternal accidents of race, religion, and nationality. One of the great tragedies of man’s, long trek along the highway of history has been the limiting of neighborly concern to tribe, race, class, or nation. The God of early Old Testament days was a tribal god and the ethic was tribal. "Thou shalt not kill" meant "'Thou shalt not kill a fellow Israelite, but for God's sake, kill a Philistine." Greek democracy embraced certain aristocracy, but not the hordes of Greek slaves whose labors built the city states. The universalism at the center of the Declaration of Independence has been shamefully negated by America's appalling tendency to substitute "some" for "all." Numerous people in the North and South still believe that the affirmation, "All men are created equal," means "All white men are created equal." Our unswerving devotion to monopolistic capitalism makes us more concerned about the economic security of the captains of industry than for the laboring men whose sweat and skills keep industry functioning.
What are the devastating consequences of this narrow, group-centered attitude? It means that one does not really mind what happens to the people outside his group. If an American is concerned only about his nation, he will not be concerned about the peoples of Asia, Africa, or South America. Is this not why nations engage in the madness of war without the slightest sense of penitence? Is this not why the murder of a citizen of your own nation is a crime, but the murder of the citizens of another nation in war is an act of heroic virtue? If manufacturers are concerned only in their personal interests, they will pass by on the other side while thousands of working people are stripped of their jobs and left displaced on some Jericho road as a result of automation, and they will judge every move toward a better distribution of wealth and a better life for the working man to be socialistic. If a white man is concerned only about his race, he will casually pass by the Negro who has been robbed of his personhood, stripped of his sense of dignity, and left dying on some wayside road.
A few years ago, when an automobile carrying several members of a Negro college basketball team had an accident on a Southern highway, three of the young men were severely injured. An ambulance was immediately called, but on arriving at the place of the accident, the driver, who was white, said without apology that it was not his policy to service Negroes, and he drove away. The driver of a passing automobile graciously drove the boys to the nearest hospital, but the attending physician belligerently said, "We don't take niggers in this hospital." When the boys finally arrived at a "colored" hospital in a town some fifty miles from the scene of the accident, one was dead and the other two died thirty and fifty minutes later respectively. Probably all three could have been saved if they had been given immediate treatment. This is only one of thousands of inhuman incidents that occur daily in the South, an unbelievable expression of the barbaric consequences of any tribal centered, national centered, or racial centered ethic.
The real tragedy of such narrow provincialism is that We see people as entities or merely as things. Too seldom do we see people in their true humanness. A spiritual myopia limits our vision to external accidents. We see men as Jews or Gentiles, Catholics or Protestants, Chinese or American, Negroes or whites. We fail to think of them as fellow human beings made from the same basic stuff as we, molded in the same divine image. The priest and the Levite saw only a bleeding body, not a human being like themselves. But the good Samaritan will always remind us to remove the cataracts of provincialism from our spiritual eyes and see men as men. If the Samaritan had considered the wounded man as a Jew first, he would not have stopped, for the Jews and the Samaritans had no dealings. He saw him as a human being first, who was a Jew only by accident. The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.
The Samaritan possessed the capacity for a dangerous altruism. He risked his life to save a brother. When we ask why the priest and the Levite did not stop to help the wounded man, numerous suggestions come to mind. Perhaps they could not delay their arrival at an important ecclesiastical meeting. Perhaps religious regulations demanded that they touch no human body for several hours prior to the performing of their temple functions. Or perhaps they were on their way to an organizational meeting of a Jericho Road Improvement Association. Certainly this would have been a real need, for it is not enough to aid a wounded man on the Jericho Road; it is also important to change the conditions which make robbery possible. Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary. Maybe the priest and the Levite believed that it is better to cure injustice at the causal source than to get bogged down with a single individual effect.
These are probable reasons for their failure to stop, yet there is another possibility, often overlooked, that they were afraid. The Jericho Road was a dangerous road. When Mrs. King and I visited the Holy Land, we rented a car and drove from Jerusalem to Jericho. As we traveled slowly down that meandering, mountainous road, I said to my wife, "I can now understand why Jesus chose this road as the setting for his parable." Jerusalem is some two thousand feet above and Jericho one thousand feet below sea level. The descent is made in less than twenty miles. Many sudden curves provide likely places for ambushing and exposes the traveler to unforeseen attacks. Long ago the road was known as the Bloody Pass. So it is possible that the Priest and the Levite were afraid that if they stopped, they too would be beaten. Perhaps the robbers were still nearby. Or maybe the wounded man on the ground was a faker, who wished to draw passing travelers to his side for quick and easy seizure. I imagine that the first question which the priest and the Levite, asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But by the very nature of his concern, the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" The good Samaritan engaged in a dangerous altruism.
We so often ask, "What will happen to my job, my prestige, or my status if I take a stand on this issue? Will my home be bombed, will my life be threatened, or will I be jailed?" The good man always reverses the question. Albert Schweitzer did not ask, "What will happen to my prestige and security as a university professor and to my status as a Bach organist, if I work with the people of Africa?" but rather he asked, "What will happen to these millions of people who have been wounded by the forces of injustice, if I do not go to them?" Abraham Lincoln did not ask, "What will happen to me if I issue the Emancipation Proclamation and bring an end to chattel' slavery?" but he asked, "What will happen to the Union and to millions of Negro people, if I fail to do it?" The Negro professional does not ask, "What will happen to my secure position, my middle-class status, or my personal safety, if I participate in the movement to end the system of segregation?" but "What will happen to the cause of justice and the masses of Negro people who have never experienced the warmth of economic security, if I do not participate actively and courageously in the movement?"
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige, and even his life for the welfare of others. In dangerous valleys and hazardous pathways, he will lift some bruised and beaten brother to a higher and more noble life.

The Samaritan also possessed excessive altruism. With his own hands he bound the wounds of the man and then set him on his own beast. It would have been easier to pay an ambulance to take the unfortunate man to the hospital, rather than risk having his neatly trimmed suit stained with blood.
True altruism is more than the capacity to pity; it is the capacity to sympathize. Pity may represent little more than the impersonal concern which prompts the mailing of a check, but true sympathy is the personal concern which demands the giving of one's soul. Pity may arise from interest in an abstraction called humanity, but gympathy grows out of a concern for a particular needy human beig who li'es at Iges roadside. ~7mpath7 is fetow teellng for the person in need his pain, agony, and burdens. Our missionary efforts fail when they are based on pity, rather than true compassion. Instead of seeking to do something with the African and Asian peoples, we have too often sought only to do something for them. An expression of pity, devoid of genuine sympathy, leads to a new form of paternalism which no self respecting person can accept. Dollars possess the potential for helping wounded children of God on life's Jericho Road, but unless those dollars are distributed by compassionate fingers they will enrich neither the giver nor the receiver. Millions of missionary dollars have gone to Africa from the hands of church people who would die a million deaths before they would permit a single African the privilege of worshiping in their congregation. Millions of Peace Corps dollars are being invested in Africa because of the votes of some men who fight unrelentingly to prevent African ambassadors from holding membership in their diplomatic clubs or establish residency in their particular neighborhoods. The Peace Corps win fail if it seeks to do something for the underprivileged peoples of the world; it will succeed if it seeks creatively to do something with them. It will fail as a negative gesture to defeat Communism; it will succeed only as a positive effort to wipe poverty, ignorance, and disease from the earth. Money devoid of love is like salt devoid of savor, good for nothing except to be trodden under the foot of men. True neighborliness requires personal concern. The Samaritan used his hands to bind up the wounds of the robbed man's body, and he also released an overflowing love to bind up the wounds of his broken spirit.
Another expression of the excessive altruism on the part of the Samaritan was his willingness to go far beyond the call of duty. After tending to the man's wounds, he put him on his beast, carried him to an inn, and left money for his care, making clear that if further financial needs arose he would gladly meet them. "Whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again ' I will repay thee." Stopping short of this, he would have more than fulfilled any possible rule concerning one's duty to a wounded stranger. He went beyond the second mile. His love was complete.
Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick has made an impressive distinction between enforceable and unenforceable obligations. The former are regulated by the codes of society and the vigorous implementation of law enforcement agencies. Breaking these obligations, spelled out on thousands of pages in law books, has filled numerous prisons. But unenforceable obligations are beyond the reach of the laws of society. They concern inner attitudes, genuine person to person relations, and expressions of compassion which law books cannot regulate and jails cannot rectify. Such obligations are met by one's commitment to an inner law, written on the heart. Man made laws assure justice, but a higher law produces love. No code of conduct ever persuaded a father to love his children or a husband to show affection to his wife. The law court may force him to provide bread for the family, but it cannot make him provide the bread of love. A good father is obedient to the unenforceable. The good Samaritan represents the conscience of mankind because he also was obedient to that which could not be enforced. No law in the world could have produced such unalloyed compassion, such genuine love, such thorough altruism.
In our nation today a mighty struggle is taking place. It is a struggle to conquer the reign of an evil monster called segregation and its inseparable twin called discrimination a monster that has wandered through this land for well nigh one hundred years, stripping millions of Negro people of their sense of dignity and robbing them of their birthright of freedom.
Let us never succumb to the temptation of believing that legislation and judicial decrees play only minor roles in solving this problem. Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless. The law cannot make an employer love an employee, but it can prevent him from refusing to hire me because of the color of my skin. The habits, if not the hearts, of people have been and are being altered every day by legislative acts, judicial decisions, and executive orders. Let us not be misled by those who argue that segregation cannot be ended by the force of law.
But acknowledging this, we must admit that the ultimate solution to the race problem lies in the willingness of men to obey the unenforceable. Court orders and federal enforcement agencies are of inestimable value in achieving desegregation, but desegregation is only a partial, though necessary, step toward the final goal which we seek to realize, genuine intergroup and interpersonal living. Desegregation will break down the legal barriers and bring men together physically, but something must touch the hearts and souls of men so that they will come together spiritually because it is natural and right. A vigorous enforcement of civil rights laws will bring an end to segregated public facilities which are barriers to a truly desegregated society, but it cannot bring an end to fears, prejudice, pride, and irrationality, which are the barriers to a truly integrated society. These dark and demonic responses will be removed only as men are possessed by the invisible, inner law which etches on their hearts the conviction that all men are brothers and that love is mankind's most potent weapon for personal and social transformation. True integration will be achieved by true neighbors who are willingly obedient to unenforceable obligations.
More than ever before, my friends, men of all races and nations are today challenged to be neighborly. The call for a worldwide good-neighbor policy is more than an ephemeral shibboleth; it is the call to a way of life which will transform our imminent cosmic elegy into a psalm of creative fulfillment. No longer can we afford the luxury of passing by on the other side. Such folly was once called moral failure; today it will lead to universal suicide. We cannot long survive spiritually separated in a world that is geographically together. In the final analysis, I must not ignore the wounded man on life's Jericho Road, because he is a part of me and I am a part of him. His agony diminishes me, and his salvation enlarges me.
In our quest to make neighborly love a reality, we have, in addition to the inspiring example of the good Samaritan, the magnanimous life of our Christ to guide us. His altruism was universal, for he thought of all men, even publicans, and sinners, as brothers. His altruism was dangerous, for he willingly traveled hazardous roads in a cause he knew was right. His altruism was excessive, for he chose to die on Calvary, history's most magnificent expression of obedience to the unenforceable.

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if the father represents God, the younger son represents us, who does the elder son represent?
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i think your right. to much racism goes around everywhere leading people to death or the hurt of feelings inside. we should all love no matter what religion or what color cause in the inside, we all look the same and are all children of gods. atleast, this is what i think.
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I hope by now you have found some of the peace you were seeking. I never understood the parable of the prodigal son until I had one. The argument of the dutiful son always made sense to me. But now that I have a younger child who has gone off to waste and destroy his God-given talents through drug abuse, crime, problem relationships...I fully understand how gladly I would celebrate his return to us, not expecting any favored treatment from us. All the time I love both my children, but more of my prayers have been for the wayward one. The celebration would be for the answer to my prayers.
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I realize that your E-mail is not a serious one , and I do not know your real name, but I am praying that The Lord Jesus Christ will bless your life with his Holy Spirit in many ways. Consider your reply and know that you are not mocking me and other people , but you are mocking the Lord.

God bless you in every way.

Chris Godwin....servent of Christ
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I am discussing the passage on the Mustard seed this Wednesday and would appreciate a picture of the Mustard tree by the 5.1.2005. Tq. God Bless.
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Do upon to others as you would have them do upon to you.

Pretty simple, and yet a Golden Rule of life fom the Master.


As you treat others - so shall you be treated.

As the Buddist teach the Law of Karma so does Jesus teach.

What goes around comes around, but blessed and multiplied.

Give good tidings and they will come back to you.

Help others and they will help you.

Forgive others and they will forgive you.

The Golden Rule from all spiritual masters of the ages.

But this parable also explains the fact that Jesus lives and in part of all of us. In particular help those in need.

And it will be as if you are helping Jesus Christ himself.


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First, to fully understand what was happening, let's look at why the events in this parable happened the way they did.

It was common practice in these times that if a person owed somebody else, the person they owed was allowed to sell him, and his family, as servants until the debt was paid off. Here's another example of where it happened, this one in the old testament. 2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. A more detailed description of this practice is found in Leviticus:

LEV 25:39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

LEV 25:40 But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubilee.

LEV 25:41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.

LEV 25:42 For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.

LEV 25:43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor; but shalt fear thy God.

LEV 25:44 Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.

LEV 25:45 Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.

LEV 25:46 And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigor.

So this is what we see happening at the beginning of this parable. There was the servant of a man who owed his master a debt, and he was unable to pay it. The master did what was common in that time....prepared to sell him, his family, and his possessions in return for the payment owed. The servant begged for more time, and his master had compa/s/sion. He could have just had *some* but and gave him more time to come up with what he owed, but instead he had TOTAL compa/s/sion, and forgave the amount owed.

The amount forgiven was approximately $16,180,000.

After he was forgiven, this servant then went to one of his fellow workers who owed him (approximately $14). He choked him and demanded his payment. His fellow worker requested the same thing the servant had requested.....more time to pay what he owed.

You'd think that a man who'd just been forgiven an amount that nobody at that time would have been capable of paying off would understand and be compa/s/sionate towards another in the same position...and this wasn't even CLOSE to the same amount! Yet he didn't...he was angry and unforgiving, and had the man imprisoned.

When his master found out what he had done, he reminded him of his previous debt, and wondered that the servant didn't have the same compa/s/sion on his fellow worker.

The master then reinstated the debt. I'm not sure what the tormenters were...I'd guess it was worse than being sold, unless it means the same thing. Someone else can jump in and explain this part.

Anyhow, the moral of the story? Do unto others as you'd have done to you! Christians, you have been forgiven a debt you could have never paid. In comparison to that, how hard can it be to forgive your fellow men offenses against you?

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


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This has nothing to do with whether the samaritan was a christian it has to do with simply showing who is your neighbor and how you are to act to your neighbor. Not all the nonsense you are talking about.
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Understanding the Prodigal Son parable requires understanding why Jesus told the parable in the first place. He was speaking to a very mixed crowd. In Luke 15:1-2 there are at least 4 groups, sinners, tax collectors, Scribes and Pharisees. Jesus tells this series of three parables to drive home a simple point: God loves the lost and His heart's desire is to find all those separated from Him. Each parable gives a little different spin on His point.
In the third parable, Jesus gives two parts to the parable. In the first part, the younger son is the object of the parable. In the second half, the elder brother is the focus. Each of these parts speaks to the two classes of people to which Jesus was speaking i.e. the sinners and the Pharisees. The first would speak to those who had been separated from God (were prodigal in their relationship with God). The second half would be directed toward the Pharisees and Scribes (those who hadn't departed from God physically).
As I study this parable, it becomes apparent to me that neither son understood the father. The younger son thought that doing righteous things makes you worthy of the father's love. Wrong!
The older brother thought the same thing. Instead, the father was not focusing upon the behaviors of either son. He wanted to have a relationship of love with both brothers. He demonstrates this when he doesn't listen to the smooth lines the younger brother has rehearsed. He also says it to the older brother when he says, " Child, (a different term in the Greek than the word for son, "hwion") you are always with me, and all my things are yours. But it was necessary to kill the fatted calf and celebrate because your brother was dead and is now alive, he was lost and now he is found.
The father's heart desired whole relationships with both his sons. Neither understood. Could it be that in our attempt to be worthy of God's love, we miss what God is really trying to say to us: that we have a priceless value to Him, clearly demonstrated upon the cross.
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