The 13th chapter of Matthew is both a fork in the road and a litness test for the believer in Christ. Are you going to read the Bible with Jewish or Gentile definations? What is your interpertative stance? Do you read it as you always have or do you read it as it is?

Like all definations and types in the Bible, the must be taken in context and remain consistant with any usages in previous passages. Leaven is always used as a type of sin. To a Jew, putting leaven in the bread (the reference is the fellowship offering in the book of Leviticus) is a very bad thing. (In the book of Genesis, Sarah is asked by Abraham to make a fellowship offering for Lord and two angels and to use unleavened bread.)

This scripture is clear. In the kingdom of heaven there is sin that permeates the kingdom and is found everywhere. Now before you think that I am spreading heresy . . . just what is the kingdom of heaven anyway? Is it just a place of the saved or is it more than that.

Follow my logic. Both Jesus and John the Baptist began preaching, "Repent. The kingdom of heaven is at hand." They do not define this "kingdom" but just proclaim it. (It is from our New Testament only theology that we draw the conclusion that the kingdom of heaven is just the rehealm of the saved. In the Old Testament, the kingdom and the temple are always two separate entinitys. Salvation is appropriated at the temple. Justice and judgment is found at the throne. The law is appeased at the temple. The law is fulfilled at the throne.

The kingdom of heaven is the economy of God, not the people of the kingdom. It is how Christ will rule, not those who are ruled. It is Him, not us. We enter the kingdom by making Christ our King. (This is not Lordship salvation. Our salvation is by Christ our High Priest. Our purposes and placements are from our King. The kingdom of heaven exsists now in the spirit but one day it will be both in the spirit and in the flesh. Jesus will come back and rule from His throne in Jerusalem for a thousand years. Many of these parables in Matthew 13 are about His Millienial Reign. It is this Millienial Reign that will begin with the second coming of Christ and end with a war with the people of the earth who reject Him and follow Satan when he is loosed for a while. There will be fleshly people in the Millienial Kingdom and it is these carnal people and their pride that will be the sin that perminates the kingdom of heaven.

When you study the term "kingdom" from Moses thru David and the split kingdom, you will find that "kingdom" is not about who is being governed but how the people are governed. After His second coming, Christ will reign over the whole earth with a rod of iron but many will reject and hate this and thus be the unleaven bread that permeates the loaf.

I hope that this brief explanation is adequate. We are all woefully ignorant of the millienial reign. (Many popular end-times books and movies and teachers stop just after the second coming and do not realize that there is still an important chapter to go.

Write me if this is vague or confusing.

Peace
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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 prodigal son is a parable of imense propotion the can touch the very fonation that you stand on its various words of knowledge and wisdom leave many suttering for words
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If we study the parable of the Mustard Tree we see that it relates to common OT themes.

Daniel 4,Ezekiel 31&17 show us that Christ is speaking of a type of Christian nation gone bad.Since the birds spoken of in Ezekiel 31 Matthew 13 Revelation 18 seem to relate to demonic principalities that have strongholds in the places of worship in Egypt,Babylon(NT & OT) & Assyria.We see the current state of our churches in the U.S.

In the Torah Mustard is not kosher in vedgetable gardens because as a seed bearing plant it is only permitted to be grown as a field plant yet Christ(a strict Jew)plants it in his garden.

This speaks of the fact that the people who made up the initial Mustard Seed were a very small group of Gentile believers who were made righteous(kosher) by faith.They were grafted on to Abraham (made his sons by faith).

This small group of faithful people were none other than the seperatists(Pilgrims) who landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620.They were the ones who Christ brought to himself then planted in his garden.
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Some of us possess stronger ability to share God's grace, or our faith with others. Someone called to the ministry may be able to share the word of God more freely and to more people (i.e. possesses 5 talents). A deacon or a Sunday school teacher may be able to share the word effectively with a few people (i.e. possesses 2 talents). But someone who accepts Christ but makes no effort to share their faith and the grace of God, is like someone who buries their faith within themselves. Being too afraid to share the good news. Yes God does not need our help to save man, he could do all on his own if he so chooses (i.e. reaps where he did not sow, gathers where he scattered no seed). But God asks us to acknowledge him to man. To share the good news. This is our Talent, using whatever ability we have to share Him; not necessarily maximizing the use of our gifted profession.
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IP: 63.19.59.226
Email: James@Netsxcpe.com
Junk to be deleted tomorrow!

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God has possesed me i am loved wow......
God has chosen I am like that guy from the bible Oh i know Jane Goodall (monkey specialist). ooooooops i forgot to fill that in. thank you for your attention on slide show in Mrs. William's(Cheese Zit) i forget 2005 mmv iwill get pojints off. ops. ooops i spelled oops wrongim an idiot but God loves me. Does he love you. Thinkabout . I did. I did not take my pills .ha la ha la-Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God Oh God . Homer Islam iSland . i haste money. oooops i mean hate. how many times have i said ops. ooooops i mean oooops. God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God h God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me God has chosen me to bring god news to the poor. Oooops iam


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the fruit bearing has nothing to do with salvation. Jesus is talking to his 11 disciples, they are all saved. this parable is not about losing your salvation because we are eternally secure, nothing can pluck us out of Christ's hand or the Father's hand. nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

the parable is teaching that if we do not have complete continuous fellowship with Christ, spoken of abiding in him and he in us, then we will bear no fruit. what is gathered together is the carnal work, the wood hay and stubble which shall be burned, but if our works are precious stones gold and silver they shall remain.

the same can be understood when we look at Lot. he was out of fellowship with the Lord. he produced no lasting fruit all the while he was in Sodom. all he had was burned with that wicked city, yet he was saved yet so as by fire.

I hope this helps your understanding of this subject

sincerely

Fred
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The prodigal son is a lesson that not too many churches teach or believe in today.

It is a lesson in assurance.

God took for himself the name of "Father" so we could some how relate to Him. (Isa 55:8)

A Father can never say that a son or a daughter is not His.(Gal 4:6)and (Rom 8:14-17)

The father can write that person out of his will or kick him out of the house or correct him by discplinary measures (Proverbs 3: 11-12), but the child will always be the child of that Father.

Once you are born again (John chapeter 3 teaches one how to be born again) You can never "not be a child of God".

The world constantly misqoutes the Bible by saying "we are all God's children."Galatians 3:26 is often quoted without the second part of this verse.
Gal 3:26 "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."


We Christians should correct them and say we are all God's creation but you don't become a child of God until you are born again.

1Pe 1:23 "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." You see when you are born again it is forever.

The lesson in the prodigal son is that no matter how bad one acts (Thank GOD that this is true) you or I will never be disowned by the Father.



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First thing to note is that there are three parables given.

Why are they given? The occasion for Jesus to give them is back in chapter 15:1-3. The phrarisees and scribes are grumbling because sinners come to Jesus.

He then tells three stories (keep in mind these are parables - the details are not important but the main point Jesus makes).

Note these similarities -

1) Lost sheep --something is lost (sheep), something is found, the finder rejoices, others rejoice with the finder.

2) Lost coin -- something is lost (coin), it is found, the finder rejoices, everyone rejoices with the finder.

3) Prodigal -- something is lost (son), he is found (comes to the father), everyone rejoices (they have a party). But then we get to a different element than the first two stories, the older brother grumbles because the father receives the sinful younger brother. Does that sound like anyone else? It is exactly like the attitude of the pharisees and scribes in verses 1-3 (the reason Jesus tells these parables).

The meaning of these three parables is plain. The proper attitude should be joy when someone comes to Christ.

It is easy to get bogged down by trying to figure the meaning of each of the things in the story of the prodigal. I don't believe Christ ever intended us to try to place a meaning on every element of this story. Just like today when a preacher gives an illustration, every detail of it is not important - just the main point. I fully believe in the inerrancy of scripture - but I still think that these three parables have a simple meaning.

Todd
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I have a friend on life support. She was like Lazurus, full of sores that our eyes could not see, but the heart could. So many people became tired trying to deal with her sores (including myself). She felt as though no one really loved her. She had received Jesus, but I don't really think she understood his love for her.

The family is pulling the life support in just fifteen more minutes, Wednesday, March 25th at 5pm. Do we know whether she will breathe on her own? Is she already with the Lord, as there is no brain function? She probably knows better than we who remain.

I ask Jesus for forgiveness for anytime that I did not treat her as my neighbor and acted in part as the rich man did who received good things. This is a day to remember, that in life, always love your neighbor, show mercy, share your good things and try to endure with patience those who have a life of evil sores befalling them. This is humbling.

God bless,
Victoria Trees
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This has been a great study to learn how to apply this parable to my own life and pass on my findings in the LORD. I have a wonderful time looking at this small but great seed for my life.
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I also needed a picture of a mustard tree for my summer Sunday School Class. I have K-6th and we are doing the Parables over the summer. After quitting in flustration, at finding a picture of a mustard tree big enough to hold birds, my husband found one. He went to Google Images and typed in mustard. It brought up many pictures of various varieties of mustard plant. And a couple were big enough to house the birds. Hope this helps all the others who are trying to find one. God bless you all!

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Doesn't it bring Joy to your heart when you see people truly seeking the Lord? You are so right, the more we study the Word, the more He reveals Himself to us!
(Jmes-1-5) He does just as He promised He will do, if we only ask and trust Him. He will guide us to all truths! LOL patsy
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Denny,

I really enjoy your musings. I tend to agree with you about most of what you say. I think that makes you a very wise person - in my estimation :)

Humility is not groveling in the dust, calling God a liar. The apostle Paul called that "false humility". True humility is when we agree that God's view and opinion is reality. True humility is when we agree with God who says we are righteous. We WERE sinners but not now.

The parable of the "unprofitable servant", (Luke 17) when taken out of context might, at first blush, seem to be telling us to work hard for God and not expect any words of thanks. But Jesus had just finished telling of the great power that is available to us if we would just believe it. "Lord, increase our faith", prayed the apostles.

If I'm commanding sycamine trees to be uprooted and planted in the sea, then such power might go to my head, don't you think? Jesus warned us to do these great works of God and keep in mind that He is the source of our power.

Far from trying to connect people with a sense of inadequacy, Jesus parable is a warning NOT to let all this power go to our heads. Jesus has all power in heaven and earth and if we are in Him, so do we. If Jesus can walk on water then so can I. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me. If Jesus can heal the sick then so can I. If Jesus can raise the dead, so can I. "I can do all things", the apostle said, "through Christ which strengeneth me".

Do all things, small and great and remember always to give God the glory. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6) By acknowledging God in all that we do, He keeps us on the strait and narrow. That's a promise I can use.

And the scripture was fulfilled which said, "And Rob and Denny believed God and it was credited to them for righteousness."

God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Rest in the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit.

Your brother,
Rob

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You're right. Salvation is enough to be ready. And you can't lose your salvation. That's why they call it eternal life. If a person could lose it then it wouldn't be ETERNAL LIFE; it would be TEMPORARY LIFE.
Being ready means being truly saved and not just going through the motions. It means being born again by the spirit of God.
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Father God in the name of Jesus I pray that you will give me the power to confuse and confound the enemy. God I pray please bring the Holy Spirit into my office. God I pray that you will bring people around myself, my children, my brother, my sisters and all other family members that are under the Blood of Jesus. God I pray please heal Jake's ankle and let the swelling go down. God I pray for Bonnie that the might be healed. God I pray for Mr. Rick who has cancer that he might not suffer. God I pray please give Christopher protection over in Iraq. God I pray for you to send the right person to get me out of bondage. God I pray please give me the wisdom to know what to do. God I pray for you to lead, guide and direct me by your spirit. God I pray please give my son some financial help. God I pray please bring ministering angels to Debbie and get her the help that she needs. God I pray go ahead of me and clear the way today. God I pray that you might strengthen my faith and let me see your mighty power at work. God I pray please keep the devil and his demons off of my back. God I pray that you will stop this harassing spirit and harassing phone calls that I am getting. God I give you all of the praise and honor and glory for it. In the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen
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Vs 17 states "When he came to himself". It's important to stay with God.

When do not know how long God's mercy is going to last. You may not be

as fortunate as the Prodigal son coming to himself. You may not come to

your senses (NIV). "Stay with God"
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After reading all the comments on the Filling of the spirit I find this one to be right on the money. I was going to post a writing of my own, but after reading this I decided to commend this writing. God bless and an excellent job Robert.
Pastor Rick.
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many christians who read this parable, tend to see the two sons, and lack focus on the father.the sons represent humanity with all its frailty. having the distinct tendency to drift away from GOD .represented by the father,, the father fogiving the son is the embodyment of GODs true love for humanity.. in that GOD would use an earthly father to represent himself,Speaks of the true humanity of JESUS CHRIST the father , Who with open arms will fogive all who come to him.. IT is to be observe also a triune in this parable.. As it involves the father the son and the HOLY SPIRIT who pricked the heart of the repentant son, thus restoring him to the father....................GOD bless us all
Kitt Thompson.........
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Contrary to what many think, I would submit that the point of this parable is NOT to stress repetitious prayer. Jesus said, “Pray not vain repetitions as the heathen do, thinking they will be heard for their much praying.”

Just think about it for a moment. You could really get on the nerves of a friend by forever questioning their veracity, if they were to agree to help you out financially or in some other way. A non-stop “will you do it” would drive them right up the wall. Why on earth would God want us to beg and gravel, Squall and whine? Does that really build character? Wouldn’t it show more character to take a person at their word and then never bring the subject up again?

The word importunity is a bad translation for the Greek word translated such. It does not mean a persistent badgering-as though he doesn’t want to do it-though he may not want to. It means barefacedness, boldness, having the ba__…-you know what, to approach this person in the middle of the night because your in a jam and will not be denied. This person didn’t have time to keep coming again and again. He needed the answer right there and then.

Paul says in Hebrews “come boldly unto the throne of grace that we might receive grace and mercy in a time of need”.

This type of behavior demonstrates the highest type of friendship. “If my friendship means anything in the world to you, you’re going to do it and do it now!”

One time I came home in the late evening to find a friend waiting for me. It was very clear that he would not be denied. He needed help. Do you know what I did? Even though I was not in a position to help him out, I practically went into hock helping him out.

Trust me on this. The attitude, and the sound of his voice, didn’t leave any alternative. He was bold and he walked away with the help that was needed.

Showing this type of attitude with God is the highest compliment. For he is the one who calls us friends.



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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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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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Would it be possible for me to read how Brenda T:urner napplies this parable to her life to pass it on for tomorrow morning as a sermonette to children age 5 thru 4th grade?
Thank you.
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Mustard trees are mentioned in Matthew 13:31; 17:20 and Mark 4:31. The mustard tree of Scripture is found along the banks of the Jordan, near the Sea of Galilee, and near Damascus. Mustard plants may reach about 15 feet (4 metres) high in those areas.
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Dear Brother,

Greetings in the nameof Jesus Christ.

I am preparing a message on Christ the Good shepherd and would like to have some good messages of the same and hope you can help me. Waiting to hear from you very soon.

Your friend,
Cheryan
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The 5 wise virgins were getting married to the bridgroom.


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Dear Pastor

Who is mammon?

What does it mean 'to make for yourselves friends with mammon of unrighteousness' so they may receive ye in everlastings habitations?'.
Which friends? which habitations?
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I have been told by a counselor, professional, that i have Cyclothymia, but I am also a christian, and I am wondering, can saten attack one who is saved, just like symptoms of depression, as well, to trick you into thinking you have this when you don't, or, if you do, it is a trial? How should I look at this. I don't want to take meds, I am not suisidal, or bad behaviour, but I wonder if it is a trial, or if it is saten messing with me, to get me to doubt God. Do you understand this? THanks for the help if you can . I am just now seeing this might be the case.
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I never see mustard tree (and seed) in my life. As a christian woman, its important for me to see this tree. Thankyou!
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I was saved on Jun, 22. of this year. I felt the holyspirit come over me and through me, I felt so alive and clean. I was rejoycing!! It has been a month and a half now. and for some reason I have become, not interested in reading the bible..I feel losted. At first I read it. but not now. I have to keep fighting to get it back. Meaning I still and will always have it. But it seems I some how have given it back to God without knowing it. Although this I have been possessed, and if you think a saved christian can not be possessed? YOU ARE WRONG! Because one has to be saved in order to cast the demons out. But anyway...

losing your salvation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Samantha on Monday, March 24 2003

Fred what did you mean by yet he was saved yet so as by fire. I don't understand what you are saying here?

what does this mean??


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I was asked by a friend if I knew the name of the prodigal son. I'd never heard him referred to in any way except as "the younger son". Does anyone know of research that attaches a name to either the younger or older son?

Thanks!
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I have heard in the natural a mustard seed does not turn into a tree, it is an herb only. Is this true and where can you find info on a mustard seed tree?
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Dear Sir" I Would like to get a copy of your sermon about the good shepher. In august I requeste one time, so far I did not get it. I am a foreign student in OU.
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Verse 12 - He divided unto them... I believe to be a type of the church and Israel. The older brother still under law, yet a son. The younger a type of the apostate church, leaving the spiritual and leaning on the arm of the flesh. We have programs for everything. If God were to die Saturday night 85% of churches would open their doors Sunday morning and never miss a beat. The church for the most part is blind and wretched like the Laodacians and yet the Lord is ever knocking at the door of His own church pleading for entrance. The Father let the son leave. Unlike most of what goes on today, begging people to stay in church, visitation, special concerts, and just about anything you can think of; joined to a citizen of that far country. Teaching lost people how to be religious. But Hallalujah, conviction does come and the church will come to herself and rise up and come out from among them and be ye seperate. The younger repents, returns home and the Father runs to meet him. Galatians 2:20 - Maranatha
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Ok I do attend a catholic high school but I'm not that knowledgeable on this stuff so I have a question is somone could answer it quickly.........
True or False .... The message of Jesus given us in the parable of the Prodigal Son is God's unconditional forgiveness.
Thanx
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what exactly is gnashing of teeth?
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Of course you have other desires besides your greatest, "to see a sinner turn to the Lord". Still, the issue of desire for earthly things is best explained as follows:

Jesus Christ did indeed command us, that is, each congregation, to make friends with "the mammon of unrighteousness" (Luke 16:9 ). This is not sinful because it is God's command. What is sinful in seeking wealth is to refuse to let it go out as gifts or loans to whoever dare ask for it (Matt. 5:42, Greek ). It is to tell someone who has asked for something material or some money "No" or some worse warning when you have the right to give the stuff asked away which is sinful love of earthly things.

To seek the favour of rich folk out in the world is not sinful for Christians, but God's command for some people in each congregation to obey. We need fundraising from the rich because otherwise the poor will bankrupt us with their requests when we keep on obeying Christ, who condemns our natural refusals of material aid. And if we obtain wealth thus, it will be wealth which Jesus might call us to give away.


Yours in Christ,

+++Kevin Douglas Rosenberg

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I KNOW YOU WILL SEND IT TO ME
TANH YOU
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The French philosopher Simone Weil brought out some amazing insights on divine love based on this parable.

She notes that Jesus does not describe good neighbours as "loving" or "charitable", but "just". There is no distinction between justice and love. Greek justice occurs when two parties of equal strength come to an agreement. Supernatural justice occurs when an unequal relationship is treated equal by the stronger party - that is, the stronger party treats the weaker as his equal.

This is what the Samaritan did. Others walked by him, and saw an anonymous lump of flesh - they did not see a person. The Samaritan could not see the victim's humanity either, but he took that humanity on faith and acted lovingly towards the victim. Weil says that in this way, "Love shows us what is invisible."

The love of the Samaritan is not creturely love, it is divine love. She has an odd idea about Creation which I cannot agree with it, but it can deepen our understanding of love, so here it is:

God and His creatures are less than God alone. Creation was an act of loving renunciation - "He emptied a part of His being from Himself; that is why John says that the lamb had been slain from the beginning of the world."

When we love our neighbour, we are replicating God's love for Creation. We renounce a part of ourself. No person can love his neighbour. (I distinguish neighbour from friend, relative, beloved, etc.) God gives us that love.

"Only God, present in us, can really look at the afflicted with a look differing from what we give to ‘things’, can listen to their voice as we listen to spoken words. The love of our neighbour is the love which comes down from God to man."

Raphael Hythloday.
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Biblical Text: Luke 19:11-27

Title of Message:

Accountability and the Kingdom of God

Central Point or Truth:

There are three central truths, that judgment will come upon the unfaithful stewards and leaders of God’s people; that the Kingdom of God is present now; and the need for faithfulness and obedience. “The parable of the pounds is certainly not, as Luke 19:11 assumes, an announcement of the delay of the Parousia…” (Jeremias, The Parables, 99). Jesus had acquired the kingdom during the present time of his ministry, this being declared or manifested by his majestic triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The power and authority of the Kingdom of God is in operation now. “The kingdom of God involves two great moments: fulfillment within history, and consummation at the end of history” (Ladd, A Theology , 91). The kingdom of God is not only a future realm but the present dynamic power and dominion of Jesus in this present history as it is known. This parable conveys the point that “the ‘kingdom’ in question was not a realm or a people but the right to reign as king. According to this passage, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God in terms of the exercise of divine royal power” (Ladd, Jesus and the Kingdom, 132). This is contrary to traditional opinion that the parable’s central truth is about faithful stewardship after Jesus’ ascension and until the second coming of Christ. “Everything gets carried out with the dispatch. The ‘getting of the kingdom’ is not an unrealized event of the future, but one already accomplished in the story. The reward to those who have handled their charge well does not consist in some future overseeing of possessions, but present, and consist in power over cities within the Kings realm” (Johnson, 144). The kingdom of God now is not only God’s rein, which is similar to the concept that rabbinic Judaism held, “it is rather a dynamic power at work among men” (Ladd, 235). The power as demonstrated in the person and mission of Jesus the Christ. Those who did not recognize the present power and rule of the kingdom would be condemned at the future consummation of God’s kingdom. Johnson suggest that “we must take seriously the possibility that Luke intended his parable to confirm 19:11, for the progress Luke’s story after the parable shows us in fact a ‘manifestation’ of God’s kingdom ‘immediately’” (Johnson, 152).



Context:

The scribes had been entrusted with the spiritual leadership of the nation. These leaders did not accept Jesus’ authority. A recent political incident was a part of their memory. “This parable closely parallels the details of the trip of Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, to Rome in 4 B.C. to receive imperial ratification of his hereditary claim to rule Judea, along with the Jewish embassy which opposed him and Archelaus’s subsequent revenge of the Judeans” (Blomberg, 218). This parable is a warning of judgment.. “The sanguinary revenge inflicted upon the people by Archelaus after his return had never been forgotten; Jesus appears to have used this incident in a crisis-parable as a warning to his audience against a false sense of security” (Jeremias, The Parables, 59).
There was an expectation by some that the kingdom of God would appear immediately (Luke 19:11). Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and it was there that some possibly believed he might set up the manifestation of the Kingdom of God. The parable of the talents, particularly in Luke’s account, relates to his triumphant entry into Jerusalem as king. “The progression towards Jerusalem takes place ‘after he had said this’. These words establish a link with the preceding periscope. That periscope has indicated that the kingdom will not appear immediately in Jerusalem. However, the subsequent story has an almost immediate declaration of Jesus’ kingship in Jerusalem. The apparent futurity of the kingdom in v. 11 must be read in the context of the presence of the kingdom in v.38” (Guy, 128). Not only is the event after the parable significant. The event prior to the parable is also important to understand the parable. “Luke’s introductory clause, ‘as they were listening to this’ v. 11, counsels against making any significant structural separation after v 10 and deans that we grapple with the relation of the parabolic teaching in vv 12-27 to the preceding account of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus (vv 1-10)” (Green, 674). Salvation arriving at the present time to the life of Zacchaeus is a notable reference that Luke makes about the presence of salvation, today. The parable was told, according to Luke, for two reasons, he was headed towards Jerusalem and because they expected the Kingdom immediately.

Content / Exegesis:

Jesus was possibly speaking to the crowd, the disciples, and the scribes, his opponents. “In the journey narrative, Luke is generally careful to specify Jesus’ audiences, and purposefully. To the disciples, he has Jesus address teachings on discipleship; to the crowd, calls for repentance, and warnings; to the opponents, sayings of rejection and judgment. His failure to make this audience clearer to his reader leads one to think that the group to whom the parable was spoken was meant to consist in all those with Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, with the parable addressing each segment in diverse ways” (Johnson, 145).
The parable being addressed to the spiritual leaders of Israel is a warning of Judgment. Joachim Jeremias refers to this parable as being against the opponents of Jesus as being the claimant to the throne. “God has entrusted them (scribes) with much – the spiritual leadership of the nation, the knowledge of his will, the key to the kingdom. Now God’s judgment is at hand; now it will be decided whether the theologians have justified or abused this great trust, whether they have made good use of his gift or turned it to their won advantage and to the imposition of burdens on their fellow-men, whether they have opened the door to the kingdom, or shut it their judgment will be specially severe” (Jeremias, Rediscovering, 131).
The traditional view of the parable is that it is about parousia (return) of Jesus. There are some who do not hold to this traditional view. This may be because it is interpreted in light of the Matthean account of the parable. The other view under investigation is that the parable is about Jesus’ immediate Kingship, and the kingdom of God being present immediately, yet not in the form of the future consummation. “There is little in the parable itself which demands considering it an allegorical tale about the ascension-parousia. In particular, there is nothing in Luke’s version to indicate a temporal delay. Matthew’s Parable of the Talents appears to have affected the reading of Luke’s story” (Johnson, 143). Johnson also states that the getting of the kingdom is not a future event not yet realized but one that is already accomplished in the story (Luke 19:15). He also states that the reward do not relate to some future overseeing of possessions. “They (the rewards) play a present leadership role within the kingdom gained by the nobleman” (Johnson, 144).
The traditional opinion of Luke 19:11 is that Jesus is refuting the expectation of the kingdom. It is interesting to consider the view that 19:11 is not refuting but confirming instead of confuting. The verb “appear’ may have different meanings apart from only a full-scale, visible realization of the kingdom. “It is not al all impossible that Luke intended to mean that ‘the Kingdom of God was going to be declared.’ This would find immediate confirmation in the proclamation of Jesus as King in 19:38” (Johnson,150).
Fitzmyer argues that Luke intentionally altered Mark’s reference to the David kingdom to Jesus being just king. “It is not the kingdom of David that is coming, but Jerusalem’s ‘king’ himself” (Fitzmyer, 289). Fitzmyer does so because he understands that a declaration of a kingdom here would be incompatible with the postponement of the kingdom’s appearance in 19:11. Yet it is wise to consider that “king” implies “kingdom”. “19:11 is not a distancing by Luke from an imminent or present kingdom. Rather 19:38 is to be read in conjunction with 19:11. There is not yet a kingdom, but there is a king, and so by implication there is a kingdom” (Guy, 134).
Guy states that when it is argued that 19:11 is clearly futuristic and that consequently all the other present-oriented statements must be interpreted in a futuristic sense that may be an imposition of our twentieth century western understanding with its dichotomous approach to logic and thought upon first century Lukan thought (Guy, 136).
The parable of the talents is about the present kingdom of God in the life and ministry of Jesus. The key verse of this parable is 19:11: “While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.” The parable of the pounds does not deny the expectation but confirms it. “Jesus is proclaimed as a King and does exercise rule through his apostles in the restored Israel. This is a ‘manifestation’ of God’s kingdom” (Johnson, 157).
The parable is not only about the timing and manifestation of God’s kingdom but also about faithfulness. “Jesus underscores the certainty of the ‘appearance’ of the kingdom, but characteristically shifts the focus from the question of when to the issue of faithfulness in anticipation” (Green, 674). The kingdom of God is associated with faithfulness to its King. The message of the kingdom is associated with faithfulness to God’s revelation of his word entrusted to the leaders of Israel. Because of the lack of faithfulness judgment was approaching.

Practical Application:

The Kingdom of God’s authority may be exercised now. The future consummation and all of its glory is not an excuse to not use the dynamic power of the kingdom now. Faithfulness to God is not only being a good steward in holding the correct teachings and revelation of God but it also involves living a life of power manifested by godly character as well and ministering to others the powers of the world to come. The pounds that are now entrusted to believer is the preaching of the cross with its message of salvation, the healing of sick bodies, setting free from satanic bondage, and the other works that Jesus and his disciples performed.
The pound entrusted to Israel was the revelation of God’s redemptive plan and correctly representing the character of God. The teaching of the coming Messiah as a suffering servant was hid and exchanged for a mean legalistic Lord (“For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow” 19:21). The Gospel of grace must be preached and lived. This is only possible as long as the church is alert to the deception of legalism. The natural tendency of religious bodies it towards legalism and self effort instead of the grace and inner transforming power of God.
The futuristic aspect of the kingdom is a challenge for watchfulness and accountability. Because of the impending judgment Jeremias states that the primitive church interpreted and applied the parable of the talents as one of the five Parousia-parables. “The five Parousia-parables were originally a group of crisis-parables. They were intended to arouse a deluded people and their leaders to a realization of the awful gravity of the moment” (Jeremias, The Parables, 63). The other four crisis-parables are the nocturnal house-breaker, the bridegroom arriving, the master of the house returning, the merchant returning from his far journey. Ministry must be done today in light of the judgment seat of Christ.
The church, especially each individual Christian, must be burdened for the horrible punishment that awaits, the citizens (Luke 19:14, 27), those who do not serve Christ. Compassion for the lost will change the eternal future for some who do repent. If the church does not have compassion then that many more people will face an eternal catastrophic ending.
The parables illustrate the mystery of the kingdom of God. “the Kingdom of God has come into the world , but it comes with persuasion rather than power and must be accepted to be effective, even as the ground must receive the seed” (Ladd, Jesus and the Kingdom, 238). As agents of the kingdom of God believer should continually persuade others towards Christ.


WORKS CITED

Blomberg, Craig L. Interpreting the Parables. Downers Grove Inter Varsity Press, 1990.

Fitzmyer. The Gospel II. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1990.

Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke (Word Bible Commentary).
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.

Guy, Laurie. “The Interplay of the Present and Future in the Kingdom of God.” Tyndale Bulletin 48.1 (119-137) 1997.

Jeremias, Joachim. The Parables of Jesus. New York: Scribner’s,
1954.

Jeremias, Joachim. Rediscovering the Parables. New York:
Scribner’s, 1966.

Johnson, Luke Timothy. “The Lukan Kingship Parable.” Novum Testamentum 24.2 (139-158) 1982.

Ladd , George Eldon. Jesus and the Kingdom. Waco, Tx: Word, 1964.

Ladd, George, Eldon. A Theology of the New Testament.
Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1974.

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I'm giving a speech to a group of over achievers and using this parable as my core idea....but i'm relating it to the mantra found in Spiderman which says that with "great power comes great responsibility"....
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Hey, Rick......I don't know you personally, but I saw you were from home town, I thought I would say hello. I go to Spanish River and have lived in Boca 32 years now. How 'bout you?
There are quite a few interesting comments on this web-site. I think it's neat how people break stuff down and look for meanings. Like, "what do the sandals represent?"
I've been the prodigal son recently. got really off track. wheh! I mean really off track. It's so wonderful to be able to come to God with a broken and contrite heart and accept His forgiveness. What a pleasure being back in fellowship. Let me hear from you.
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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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the parable of the ten vgirgins is a warning for all the christians and for all christians to come that we should be ready,coz any time could be the day of Jesus' 2nd coming....

like in our generation,we can see that churches had begun to lose their fire for God's word to be told to eveyone.... some assume that Jesus will not come back until another century or so,not realizing that they are fulfilling the prophecy, bacause the parable is about the churches who got tired waiting for God and they were not prepaired when Christ came.

I hope that you won't be one of the foolish virgins,and so for me....
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I was struck that the father did not run after the son to bring him home. He let him go and I think that was another powerful part of this incredible story. You see so many parents in this day not allowing their adult children leave to make mistakes. For example, I can think of several families dealing with adult children involved in activities such as drug abuse and lack of drive to earn a living. In many of these families, parents enable their children because of fear of what would happen if the child was made to leave the family nest. I think the father may represent tough love - his son left and had to deal with the consequences of his actions. But when the son was as low as he could get - then he went home with the repentant spirit and the father forgave him. Now the son is back home and in the right spirit. I think we parents can learn alot about parenting from this parable. Am I reading something into this parable that really doesn't exist?
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I have recently womdered more about the 2nd and 3rd 'plants'. Many times I see people who have a sincere faith but have allowed the cares and wories to push them down. It is the same with those who face persecution. How wonderful that we have a Father of Mercy who sees the heart of the weariest and most discouraged of His children, and will call them home.

But at the same time, I wonder at the 4th 'plant'. Many feel secure that this about them...but where is their 30 and 60 and 100-fold harvest. Those who do not actively share their faith and live the life of Christ before ALL must take note.

God Bless.
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Jesus makes his point clear by telling the story in three parts. First thing to note is who was the parable told for? The parable was for tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees and Scribes. In my opinion the message applies to all four groups, but it was mainly for the Pharisees and Scribes. In the Parable of the Lost Sheep it has a pattern of losing something(a sheep) and finding it then rejoice TOGETHER. In the Parable of the Lost Coin it follows the same pattern; something is lost(a coin) but is found then is followed by rejoicing TOGETHER. Similarly the prodigal son was lost then found but was there rejoice TOGETHER? As you may have notice i capped TOGETHER to bring in a point. The older son did not rejoice together with the family. This is how the Pharisees/Scribes were. Even though Jesus was bringing people to God(teaching to repent,etc) the Pharisees tried to stop him and plotted against him. It is similar in a way how Jesus use "Should he heal on the Sabbath?". Rather than being bitter about it, they should rejoice. If Jesus is bringing a new soul toward God and if we are all children of God, we should rejoice! If the Pharisees/Scribes are all children of God they should rejoice together when a sinner is admitted in.
Also notice how Jesus did not say how the older son replied, which is smart because it was a question for each Pharisee as an individual to answer.

It is also incorrect to say there is only one thing you should learn from this parable, but many things. As you can see we gather up quite a bit of different points in the story.
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Many people take this at face value and interpret it to mean that God gives everyone literal talents, e.g., music, art, administration, etc., and that they should be applied to Godly pursuits. In my opinion, this is an entirely too literal reading of the text.

Moreover, the talent was a form of currency. So if there should be a literal interpretation of this text, it should more correctly be that we should re-invest the money God gives us in Christian enterprises.

But we all know that parables are "earthly stories with heavenly meanings." My understanding of this is that what we are to continually re-invest is what God gives to every believer, the whole of our spiritual life.
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There is also a reference to a barren fig tree in matthew 21: 17-22, the barren fig tree represents sinners, if they are not producing fruits for God, then they shall be cut down. plain and simple.
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The parable of the wheat and tares continues with the same subject matter introduced in the previous parable, the parable of the sower. Christ gave these first four parables" out of the house", and down by the seaside.[Matt.13:1].
The parable of the wheat and tares centers around those bearing fruit from the previous parable in order to reveal the method of Saten's attack against them. In this respect, this parable moves a step beyond that revealed at the end of the parable of the Sower. This parable continues with the same thought but then reveals a concentrated attack against those individuals bearing fruit. It reveals the exact method which Satan uses as he goes about seeking to stop that which is occurring.
Satan seeks to prevent fruit-bearing through a number of means revealed in the first three parts of the parable of the sower. And throughout the dispensation, he has been successful in his confrontation with the vast majority of Christians. He has succeeded in preventing most from bearing fruit.
But the preceding has not been true of all Christians. Many have been victorious over Satan's methods and schemes. They have overcome the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. And, as a result, they have brought forth and continue to bring forth fruit. And it is these Christians, the ones bearing fruit, that Satan is seen directing his attack against in the parable of the wheat and tares, seeking to stop that which is occurring.
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