I am doing a report on the Prodigal Son for my Christian Ethics class and we have to answer some questions and i can't seem to find nething that i can use. Can someone help me?
Here are the questions:

A) What is the setting of the Parable?
B) What everyday event or happening is this parable modelled around?
C) List and explain all the symbols in this parable.
D) In what way does this parable relate to the Kingdom of God?
-describe God's Kingdom?
-tell how we should live if we are to build God's Kingdom?
-tell of the future coming of God's Kingdom?
-describe God?
E) What does this parable tell us about the Reign or Kingdom of God?
D) What does this parable teach us today?

If someone could help me out, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks
^ TOP

Please send me via e-mail or inform me as to where I can obtain a picture of a mustard tree. Thank you!
^ TOP

I am teaching Bible School this week and as usual I have waited until the lst minute. Tonight I am doing the Parable of the Mustard Tree and would love to have the picture.
Thanks,
Nancy
^ TOP

What is the significanceofparables to people today?

Jesus used parabolic language so that the audience could make links to the story. do you think that converts of today can still make the links to the parables as they did 2,000 years ago? Do you not think that interpretation ruins the message of God?
^ TOP

I'm wondering about this connection - the "prodigal" son has a life issue - ADHD. Anyone who has lived in a family where one child has this life issue and another doesn't understands perfectly well the distress of the elder son on the return and celebration for the younger. The non-affected child, in many ADHD living situations, takes back seat to the behavior and emotions of the affected child as the parents spend most/all of their parental energy working with the affected child to maintain some sort of stability in the home and between the family members. The non-affected child does not KNOW that he is welcome to all the parents/father have as most of the family resources go to maintain the issued child.
^ TOP

The fig tree in this instance does represent us. ( In Gods Garden ).

Sometimes in life before we have excepted the Word of God we do not produce the desired fruit by God. (Compassion, kindness, wisdom etc)

In turn God "put shit on us" or fertilyzer. (A situation that stinks to us, but in turn allows us to grow spiritually.)

The Gardener, Jesus asks that God allow us to stay a little longer with the hope that we will one day fruit.

The fruit of God. - Gods Will.

If we fail to turn back to God and except His guidance, that we are indeed an unfruitful tree.

If this happens than we are not needed in Gods Green Garden.


^ TOP

I never see mustard tree (and seed) in my life. As a christian woman, its important for me to see this tree. Thankyou!
^ TOP

Please forward photo of mustard tree.

Thanks much.
^ TOP

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

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

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

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

Dear Mary, was just surfing for info and noticed your message. I have taught children's church for 7 years both in finland and Canda. Speaking of the parables, I have found an excellent teaching material. ( you may have heard of this already, since this message of yours have been here for almost a year now, thought I'd still leave you a note)
The material is called "the Parables of Christ" and it is published by CEF Press, located in Warrenton, MO. this material has 12 lessons which can be divivded into two- thus giving 24 lessions if you so choose. I have used one lesson per church. and have used this material for the entire year- twice already.
hope tihs helps you and may God bless your ministry with the children!!!
In Him, aura
^ TOP

please send me a pictures of mustard tree.
^ TOP

I am looking for information that is at once Biblical and biological and reconciling the seed and the tree or large shrub.
Thank you.
^ TOP

hello fellow my Christian neighbors!! i was wondering what yall thought of what the religious significance was of this parable, the Good Samaritan, and how it pertains to our lives today. What is God trying to say in this parable? what message is HE trying to convey? PLEASE get back to me!! thankyou ever so much
^ TOP

Once saved is always saved is true but in the right perspective.Because a promise is a promise and if it comes from God then why doubt it at all! But it does not end there as it is not just an orde rissued by choice but rather a call to special life. It is in fact a freedom to be obedient to God now at least. We are saved at the instance of our Faith recognition by God or His representatives but we are also known to the Graceful God that we are always in need of constant grace. It is the lamb who is sacrificed for our sins and it should be we who should acknowledge Him to be our necessary saviour, we who were sinners, and are not intending to be now ,but yet weak at times and are given an helping hand by the Lord Himself. Our attitude needs to be right towards God's Love and Loving redemption and it should be the reason to make an effort to produce fruit in life since after all we are saved once and for all. We still have our free will intact to refuse such salvation.. It is not we but the Lord in us who reaches us safely to God who saves people at all times.
^ TOP

The meaning of this scripture is very simple if you allow the other scriptures concerning the kingdom to interpret it. All that's being said hear is that "there is nothing hid which shall not be manifest". It's an example of how the word of God reacts with the human spirit and together they radiate the fact that his word was put in. If you take two balls of dough, insert yeast in one of them and come back in twenty minutes, it doesn’t take a genius to say "hey someone put yeast in that one". Yeast is not good or bad it's just a catalyst that works with something else for a desired end. Certainly it can be bad, "beware of the leaven of the scribes and Pharisee’s-hypocrisy" for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed (same idea). But it also says that the kingdom of God is like leaven.

The meaning is this. When we "hide" the word in our hearts, the leaven of god’s word will work with our spirit to "manifest" or bring to light or "reveal" the fact that we "sowed" to our hearts the word. It will manifest. Now, if there's nothing hid that shall not be manifest, shouldn't we as Christians be asking "then how on earth do I "hide" something? This is the idea here. We have a treasure hid in our hearts, and the person who discovers how to hide something, will be able to "manifest" or tap into that hidden treasure. He'll bring forth fruit.

^ TOP

Just seems like a good farmer to me. the tree is barren because of the poor ground that the dressser selected for the planting. the owner of the vinyard wonders why thre is no fruit and suggest that the dresser cut the tree down and maybe plant somethhng usefull in its place.
the dresser wants to wait another year after he fertilizes the tree and see if fruit is then carried.

I cannot see what else there is there. this is a story about a good farmer and his Land lord.
^ TOP

the parable of good samaritan is very interesting topic because what good deeds do we want to do is in the topic.and we know that love is very important in this world and without this is everywhere is chaos.
^ TOP

Are these parables really about money? Or are they about the gifts that we are given? The bible says as believers we are given gifts to do Gods work.
Verse 15 of Matthew 25 says one person recieved five talents, one two talents and one one talent, to every man according to his several abilities. If these are gifts such as evangelizing, witnessing, careing for the sick or those imprisoned, etc. then we are not all given the same gifts. One person may have many gifts, others fewer gifts, and some may only have one gift, but we are expected to show an increase in believers when our Lord returns. We are to bring others into the flock. To do the Lords work.
Those who used their gifts as they were instructed were praised by the Lord and promised more gifts because they had been faithful with the few things they were initially given. And yet those who were given a single gift and small amount of responsibility and did not act on their instructions had their gift taken away and were cast into darkness in utter dispair and shamed as an unprofitable servant.
The bible says we are called to be servants. When I envision a mansion in biblical times I see many servants, from the highly visible and well-dressed doorman and personal butler to the lowest person cleaning the toilets (or their equivalent in those times) and those performing all the jobs in between. The work of the Lord is the same, someone has to do the dirty jobs and praise God He gives certain people the abilities, the character and compassion to do a certain job. When He choses someone He gives them everything they need to do His work. BUT, they must step foreward grasp the hanldes of the plow, undertake their work and never look back. They must keep their eyes on the prize, Jesus Christ.
In His service, Daniel.

















^ TOP

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE IMAGE OF THE The Mustard Seed TREE.

THX, GOD BLESS,

JOSEPH
^ TOP

Amanda I will be presenting a program of the Mustard Seed in January 2004. I went to the Bible Book Store and purchased Mustard Seed pocket card to hand out to the ladies. But I need help on ways to present the Mustard Seed program. Got any ideas.
^ TOP

15When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'

20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'

22" 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'

23"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "

What would it be like in our day form? What is the catholic belief evident in my parable? And what dose it mean?

If anyone can please help me on this, please email me at:

grace.colquhoun@stclaresc.act.edu.au

^ TOP

This forum concerns the interpretation of Luke 16:1-13. Some scholars see an allegory of the love of Jesus in it; however, I see an eye-opener and direct commands from our Lord instead. That I do not discuss salvation (John 3:16ff, Romans etc.) here does not imply any lack of that teaching from me. I simply believe that the parables on which I have commented do not much concern salvation and justification or that others will easily expound those aspects while I delve through the commands and the predictions of Jesus Christ, lest we be deceived.

Regarding my posting and the kingdom of heaven, if your entire congregation dare ignore or refuse Luke 16:1-13 (KJV/Greek), unless it already consist of the rich, it will run out of money to give away liberally as Jesus Christ taught to do (Matt. 5:42 ) and start to despise Jesus' command to give freely and hew instead to its Budgets, the service of Mammon, just as Jesus warned (Luke 16:13 ). If we cannot afford to give freely for fear of what would happen to us without our wealth or our homes, how could we possible minister in any way true to Jesus? Then, problems with money and needs will load us down with habitual sins.

As for the very people whom I "want to use" winding up in Hell, if one came to me seeking relief from sin or some other lead to need for the gospel of salvation, I would indeed try to win them. I would not mince words about damnation to keep his favour; the command from Jesus is to make friends with the rich rather than to keep them. Still, I will not place irrelevant postings about salvation on this page devoted to a parable. This site is not the right place to win the lost; it concerns believers.

If all our congregations had done their hobnobbing already, there would be far more ready assistance for our needy and for more funds for world evangelism than we see under the evil servants in charge and under Modern English social expectations passed off as "God's will". There would be ample means for God's ends! Would I be glad!

Yours in Christ,

+++Kevin D. Rosenberg


^ TOP

I have not overlooked the last verse of the Parable of the Unjust Steward, that is, Luke 16 : 13. On the contrary, I have explained on the Unjust Steward site that most churches today are trying to serve both God and mammon. They have overlooked this verse by ignoring its context.

Our Lord Jesus Christ never expected His people to live completely providently. His way was that we would give freely to one another (Matt. 5 : 42 ), blow off our concerns (Matt. 6 : 24 ff ), continue to ask, seek, and knock (Matt. 7 : 7 ), and He likened whoever heard or read Him and would do so to a man who built his house upon the rock rather than to the man whose house built on sand fell with a great crash (the Parable of the Wise / Foolish Builders). On that page I have posted my stand that the things to be obeyed to be like the wise builder consist entirely of the Sermon on the Mount, yet it slipped my mind to include whatever may be needed to follow Jesus' teachings from it. In contrast, our Modern English speaking culture clearly ignores the Sermon on the Mount even at the pulpit. Americans today scarcely give to the needy who come to ask from them. Next, I show that it is this stinginess which shows that someone is serving Mammon in preference to God.

By condemning the servant of two masters as inadequate and refusing to acknowledge service of God as valid from those serving Mammon (wealth), Jesus Christ makes clear to us that any excuses of ours for withholding our wealth will anger Him (Luke 16 : 13 ). We should not rely upon prudent earnings of our own, but, rather, have the security of the favour of rich folk to lean on because they are more prudent than followers of Christ (Luke 16 : 8 ). Jesus went on in verse 13 to explain the two outcomes of trying to serve both God and Mammon:

"Either he [the servant] will love the one and hate the other," as happens when an unbelieving man cannot understand his wife's faith in Jesus Christ and thus makes ungodly choices, "or he will cleave to the one and despise the other." This latter result happens at churches all across the English-speaking world every time church staff hews to its Budget to withhold money from one who asks while at other times in the week professing strong faith in Jesus Christ.

I conclude that we cannot serve God on a budget. Still, if we have not yet obeyed Luke 16 : 9 - 12 and thus have not even met any rich friends of the members of our congregations, the predictable result of such genereosity is a totally unfair exploitation of our wealth by the needy until we have practically nothing, whereupon we shall be called by Christ to ask, seek, and knock despite the many martyrdoms of such persons among the churches run by evil servants today (Matt. 24 : 45 - 51 ).

I will never forgive the evil servants in charge of so many contemporary churches, the evil staff who are swift to get angry and to call the police and to complain about a presumed mental illness. If I must share heaven with them, they will be absolutely chastened first as I have requested -- or left behind to be martyred when I am raptured into heaven, or fast for forty days and pray together on their knees, and if any one of them have turned ten men or boys over to psychiatry, he or she has no chance whatsoever for heaven without amputations anyway. For example, evil servant Bill Meier in charge of Twin City Bible Church in Urbana, Illinois, known to defend sophisticated English manners in preference to Jesus, already stands with "a who...le WEE...k of RE...PEA...TI...NG 'terribly sorry beyond [b]wyrds for what I did to Kevin' " demanded of him by telephone as of May 2001, before his lawyers notified me of their threats. Where shall I post the messages to doom the evil servants? I need help to find the most visited Christian forum to doom the evil servant so that world evangelism might be accomplished for Jesus' sake under truer leadership.

Yours in Christ,

+++Kevin Douglas Rosenberg

a martyr for asking, seeking, and knocking (
^ TOP

i think it is a real tribute i do that you people can love god so mutch
^ TOP

Thank you for replying:My whole reason for writing the way I did was in case someone read it who does not know the word of God.Why refer to things some do not understand.Jesus used parables for a reason,b/c he knew everyone does'nt understand the word.(John 4:13)''Everyone who drinks this water will be thristy again,but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thrist.Indeed,the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'' This scripture speaks for its self.People cannot know God,Jesus Christ,nor The Holy Spirit through you.Yes we can wittness to others of God and His greatness,but that would only quench their thrist.People must get to know God for themselves,we are to witness to them yes,but they'll be judged alone.(Jerimiah 17:5)''Cursed is the one who trust in man,who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.'' People must trust God and know Him,not just read scripture;but have a intimate relationship with God.(Psalms 1:3)He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yeilds its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.Whatever he does prospers.The only way to obey this scripture is to be planted in a word church first.Futhermore,knowledge is good but wisdom is knowledge acted upon.Wisdom is very good ,but w/o the love of God both of these are void.I understand exacly where you are coming from and everything you said made sense,so this will be my last reply;B/C I don't intend on arguing the word w/ anyone.Perceptions are always different even when it comes to the word of God. So I pray that you be led by the Spirit of God. Love you with the love of the Lord!!!
^ TOP

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. A lot of people think that Jesus is saying that we should pray repetitiously over any one thing. Is that really what is being said in light of the fact the Jesus said, "pray not vain repititions like the heathens do"? When he says, "men ought always to pray and not faint", is he saying to pray continuously? Or might he be saying "every single time you pray, don't faint or stand upon that one prayer until your answered? I submit that that's what this is saying. But she came over and over again someone will say. No, it said, "she came unto him saying". She barely got in the door and wasn't even done walking when she demanded justice. Someone will also say but he said that he will avenge her lest by her CONTINUAL coming she weary him. She was coming day and night". No, lest means, because IF SHE CONTINUES to come, she'll drive him nuts. She only came once, but by the determination in her words she impressed upon him, "she means business". So where does faith fit in to all of this? Didn't Jesus say, "if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed you would say unto this sycamine tree be thou plucked up by the root and be cast into the sea and it would obey you? Notice the aspect of patience, HE WOULD NOT FOR A WHILE but afterward he said, "though I fear not God nor regard man, I will avenge her lest by her continual coming she weary me. She planted a seed in his heart by her boldness, words and address. That seed grew within his heart and consumed him. But only "after a while". She didn't come again because in her heart it was a done deal. "And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry unto him day and night?” I believe that Jesus is saying that instead of crying day and night, if we would just have the faith to approach God boldly, as a covenant partner, and regard it a done deal, we would qualify as one of those who are avenged speedily. Will he find this kind of faith on earth when he comes? You decide.
^ TOP

I am sorry. I thought this was about the prodigal son. This is indeed the complete text for this parable.
^ TOP

who were they really? what were some of their main beliefs? how did they relate to the Jews? to Rome? Where were they located? what rolde did they play in Jesus' life?HELP
^ TOP

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


YES this is the deal! Sometimes we might think and believe we are confessing and forsaking our sin and sometimes we make the same mistake as the Parisee's of ancient times by thinking and believing we are justified.
Their justification came by following the law or desiring to follow the law.Christians often feel justified because they feel they have a advocate yet they return to their own vomit like dogs as Peter mentioned in second Peter
In other words I can confess what I am as I am but not neccesarily have the will to do anything about it.It is as Paul said ;"I do what I should not do and do not do what I know I should.
The best we can do is to have the wish to change and even learn from our Pharisee friends..see their worth,their effort, their value and then beat our Chest saying from tthe bottom of our hearts
"Lord have Mercy on me A Sinner"
^ TOP

I first believed this was a great parble but now I don't. After much research I feel it lacks morale. What is it telling us stay at home and be a good person and GOd will love you less! I get the samemessage from th lost sheep?
ANy one want to debate this to the end?
^ TOP

THIS PARABLE (PRODIGAL SON) IS NOT ABOUT POSESSIONS AND INHERITANCE BUT ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE RETURN TO HIS LOVE BY ONE WHO WENT HIS OWN WAY. THIS IS ALL ABOUT GODS GREAT LOVE AND THE ENORMOUS VALUE OF HIS SALVATION. GODS HEART FOR HIS CHILDREN. EVEN WHEN HIS CHILDREN TAKES WHAT GOD HAS FREELY GIVEN HIM, AND BLOWS IT TO A POINT WHERE HE LEARNS THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST OF GODS CRUMBS ARE BETTER THAN ANYTHING THE WORLD CAN OFFER. THAT THE WORLD'S OFFERINGS ARE AN ILLUSION INTENDED TO APPEAL TO OUR OWN SELF AND INDEPENDENCE APART FROM GOD. THAT ALL THIS WORLD AND ITS RULER (SATAN) OFFER, IS A LIE AND WILL RUN OUT ONLY TO GET US TO WORK ENSLAVED WITH THE PIGS. FOR WE LEARN THE SMALLEST OF GODS CRUMBS ARE AS BIG AS HE HIMSELF FOR HIS ENORMOUS LOVE FOR US WHO ARE HIS CHILDREN WILL HOLD NOTHING BACK FROM US. THE OLDER BROTHER CAN LEARN MUCH FROM THE YOUNGER BROTHERS CHOICES AND BAD DECISIONS. THAT GOD IS SO GOOD THAT EVEN HE, THE OLDER BROTHER, SHOULD REJOICE WITH HIS BROTHER IN THEIR FATHERS ENORMOUS LOVE. THIS IS ALL ABOUT OUR WONDDERFUL AND GREAT LOVE NOT ABOUT POSSESSIONS AND INHERITANCEE OF THINGS.
^ TOP

have a good day. can you provide me the picture resembling the following
parables of Jesus,

1. The Laborers in the Vineyard
2. The Good Samaritan
3. The weeds in the grain
4. The Sower and the Seeds
5. The two Debtors

I'm very much thankful if you can provide it for me and let me to view it.


Thank you very much and may God bless you always.

Abet
^ TOP

Dear Bob,

I'm intrigued by your questions. I'm not sure how to answer them satisfactorily but here goes.

1. Luke records 19 parables not found in the other Gospels. This is also true of the other writers. Not all of them tell the same stories. There is no simple answer. It may be helpful to study Luke's purpose, readers, style, emphases etc. Have you read or studied the Synoptic Problem. This would be helpful. How do we explain the similarities and the differences if there are common sources?

2. Parables usually make a single point. This parable is one of three in Luke 15 that deal with the grace of God in seeking and saving what was lost. The lost sheep and the lost coin stress the work of God in the search for what is lost. and the subsequent joy when found. The third looks at the experience of the lost but it is underlined by the unfailing love of the father in welcoming home the lost son.

While the third is set in a family context it is not about family but about the father's love for the lost son. All three parables are a stinging rebuke to the Pharisees who, in their self righteousness legalism, despised sinners. It is part of Jesus' running debate with the Pharisees on the nature of salvation; is it by works or by grace? In illuminating the character of our Heavenly Father. Luke apparently did not think it necessary to include the mother.

3. There are interessting parallels of the grace of God to each but since there is neither reference nor allusion to Jacob I doubt if Luke has him in view. Luke is writing to a Gentile, mainly Greek audience. Jewish history would be of little help there.

4. I think that the robe, the ring, the shoes and the welcoming feast all indicate a complete reconciliation and restoration of sonship.

5. There are many paradoxes in the Christian faith. The tension between grace and justice is only one of them. Others would be the tension between love and fear. We are to both love and fear the Lord.
There is tension also between God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility. We like things to be simple, black and white, but it simply is not that way. The older I become the more I see the paradoxes as not only a mental challenge but, more importantly, a great means of growth in plumbing the depths of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray that this is of some help to you. It has been a privilege to interact with you.

Sincerely,

Tom
^ TOP

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
^ TOP

if the father represents God, the younger son represents us, who does the elder son represent?
^ TOP

This may not be a popular interpretation, but from the parable itself it is hard to conclude too much more than this being about God and His activity in growing the 'seed.' It is tempting to allegorize this (i.e. say that JC is the farmer), and it is tempting to say its about our 'producing fruit' or 'miracles.' Although scripture talks about this, this particular parable does not. The point...and I think this is very good news...is that God does the growing. He is the one able to do the unthinkable; grow His word in the midst of a sinful world. For this I am thankful, and don't take this as a license to be lazy, but an invitation to be faithful to the great grower.
^ TOP

He stands for the self-righteous Pharisee's who would rather see a sinner destroyed than saved. Certain things stand out about him.

(i) His attitude shows that his years of obedience to his father had been years of grim duty and not of loving service.

(ii) His attitude is one of utter lack of sympathy. He refers to the prodigal, not as any brother, but as your son. He was the kind of self-righteous character who would cheerfully have kicked a man farther into the gutter when he was already down.

(iii) He had a peculiarly nasty mind. There is no mention of harlots until he mentions them. He, no doubt, suspected his brother of the sins he himself would have liked to commit.
The Father searches for the lost son on the horizon, the father represents God (Abba), The lost prodigal represents the sinner (you and me)
The Lost comes running to the father because we have free will (choose life eternal, or not) The elder son is ungrateful of the blessings of the Father, he is judgemental, narrow minded, unloving, and uncaring,
instead of running to his brother in wild and loving abandonment he accuses and whines in petty greed and jealously.
the younger son while being lost, found the Holy spirit by confession of his sin, his poverty and filth brought on the conviction of his sin and it convinced him of his fathers rightousness.
The eldest son lost the presence of the holy spirit when he turned a blind eye to love and forgiveness.
When we are convicted of our sin and convinced of gods rightousness by the power of the holy spirit, (geist=Ghost=Spirit), we find the natural outcome is love and forgiveness (love all, worship one).
By losing his love and compassion the elder son (i.e. the pharisee's and the sadducees that made up the council of the sanhedren had lost the holy Spirit!
The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit!
Romans 10:14 says "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher"?
Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke with all longsuffering; for the time will come when they will not listen to sound doctrine!
^ TOP

Consider the usage of the word "Earth" elsewhere in Jesus' parables. The word earth is always used in reference to a man's heart. We sew seeds (the Word) in the earth (men's hearts).

Likewise, earth is used in this parable. He who was only given one talent (given one gift) hid it in his heart, afraid to use it for God's gain, and he lost it.

He who was given many gifts used them all, and was given more, because he has shown faith in what he all ready had, and would surely do the same if he had more. God is using his servants wisely.
^ TOP

If you are asking for the meaning of this word, the only advice I can give you, is that you say it no more!
The reason I say this, satan will deceive you with his unknown words and you could curse God, without even know it.
The second reason I say this, God will hold you accountable for every idle word you speak, so be sure, before you speak words, know the meaning, or say nothing!
^ TOP

Hello,
Thanks for all the comments. It's been very interesting reading the inputs. I've always felt for the older son because he had stayed with the father all the time and yet he felt that there was no reward for him. His father seemed to "prefer" the younger son who had squandered all his inheritance in loose living. I think I am guilty of this as well.

My concept of God's character is one who keeps accounts - that if I am good and do good deeds, He will love me more. But actually, God is not like that. He loves us whether we do anything good or bad. That's just how he is. God is LOVE. When Jesus died on the cross for us, He died while we were still sinners, even though we rejected Him, He chose to die for us.

I am so glad and grateful that my heavenly Father is always so loving and so good. His love for me is never dependent on my performance (preach to 1000 people or don't even bother to go to church). I am reminded that I must not be like the older son. I need to be set free from self-righteousness (just like the Pharisees). To recognise that I am just a sinner who needs Jesus so badly. There is nothing I can ever do to earn His love for me. Praise God ! ! !
^ TOP

" Three " is the number of Divine perfection. This number shows Divine perfection within that which is in view. "Three measures of Meal"- three measures of ground grain, used to make bread- are in view. The reference is to the Word of God [Matt.4:4;cf.Isa.55:1,2],though not the word in general sense. Rather , the reference, contextually, is to the word in a specific sence, a specific part of the word, a specific teaching in the word.
The subject at hand has to do with the WORD OF THE KINGDOM. It has to do with how the message surrounding the coming kingdom of Christ would begin to be proclaimed in Christendom and how this message would progressively change because of something [a foreign substance] placed within the message [Matt.13:19-24,31,33].
And ,again, it is that part of this Divinely perfect revelation having to do with the Word of the Kingdom which is in view. Satan simply began placing those proclaming a false message about the kingdom among those bearing fruit for the kingdom. The false message took root and began to spread, resulting in corruption and deterioration. Understanding the parable of the leaven is that simple. This parable has to do with a progressive, continuing deterioration. It has to do with the corruption agent placed within that part of God's Divinely perfect revelation referred to as " the word of the kingdom." And it has to do with this corruption agent working " till the whole [the message surrounding the coming kingdom of Christ]" has been leavened. Near the end when the Word of the kingdom has been completly corrupted, that which Jesus fortold in his parable will be fulfilled. In those days, at that time, the true message surrounding the coming kingdom of Christ will not be- it cannot be-heard throughout the Churches of the land.
^ TOP

Yes there is a case to be made about the elder son. In my Christain Fellowship we spent two weeks on this one parable; the first week we looked at how we can put ourselves in the shoes of the older son, and the sencond we talked about how, if we don't necesarily identify with the younger son, we probably do with the older one.
We talked about how sometimes as Christians we view that there are certain things we feel we have to do in order to recieve God's love. We have to go to church, not swear, follow the commandments, give to the poor....etc. And then we see/realize that there are other who are not doing all of the "required" things, and yet they still recieve God's love.
But the point that (I think) Jesus was trying to make is that there is no list of things you have to do to be loved by God. God loves all His children no matter what. And at the end of the parable Jesus never said whether or not the older son decides to go in and recieve his father's love, or stay out and get nothing.
Hope that helps!
^ TOP

http://www.ilhawaii.net/~danrubio/mustard/
^ TOP

The parable looks toward the gospel cry of righteousness by faith just prior to the second coming of Christ This message will go out across the world and many who have been quietly seeking the Lord through bible study and prayer, in places where the gospel has been otherwise supressed, will join their voices to those who are giving this "Elijah" message, whie personally putting away every known sin from their own lives and warning other to do the same. These 11th hour workers will be of every kindred and tongue, and from every nation and culture where the gospel has been deliberately supressed. They will recognise from the leading of God's spirit through their study of His word, the truth of this message- when they hear it, and they will also sound this last call of mercy where missionaries have never yet been able to reach. They will enjoy all the benefits of God's grace as co-laborers with Him according to His plan for mankind's eternal salvation-even though others have been faithfully giving this gospel message for many years. It is not for man to say who recieves what rewards Christ will give his children. His government does not consist of industrial laws where wages are determined by human policy, but by the grace of a loving God who rewards according to the state of a man's heart.
^ TOP

The message to this little story (told by Jesus) is to treat other people how you would like to be treated, no matter what. Help your enemies.
^ TOP

When the Prodigal Son got a job on the pig farm, it would have been total humiliation, since the Jews believe that pigs are unclean. To make things worse, he had to eat the husks thrown to the pigs because no-one would give him anything. What do the pigs signify? Is it because he had to look after a living being other than himself? It seems that in the famine, the pigs were the only ones willing to share their food with him. ... A bit like the Good Samaritan maybe? I would appreciate some feed-back.

Thanks ever so much.

God Bless

Love Wendy
^ TOP

Dear Peter,

Your note on the web touched me. It sounded like a cry for help from a young man struggling to stay afloat. Internet correspondence with people I don't know is not my habit but I feel a concern for you.

I am not privy to all that is in your situation.

How old are you and how long have you been a Christian?

Are both of your brothers Christians?

Does your brother who stayed home share your feelings?

On what terms was the returning brother brought into the business? Is he an employee or did he buy into the business?

Are you involved in an unequal yoke, ie. are both of your brothers believers? You could be faced with selling your interest and starting a business of your own.

How does your father see the situation? Can you appeal to him for guidance?

If you and your brother bought the business why do you still retain the irritations?

If your father has a will how can others take what is not theirs?

There is so much that I don't know but it sounds like it is time for a family conference to clear the air and redefine everybody's limits and responsibilities.

The closer we come to home the more crucial relationships become.

Have you thought of seeking advice from a wise business man in your church or community?

Above all don't become weighed down with resentment and bitterness. You need to forgive your brother and deal with him graciously. It only takes one to forgive. To forgive wrongs gives the soul buoyancy and joy.
It is a reminder that we also are forgiven by One who was offended by our sin in a way that we will never understand.


^ TOP

The section of the wise and foolish builders is basically the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. Therefore, in order to understand this final section we must have in perspective the complete Sermon on the Mount that covers chapters 5-7 in the gospel of Matthew. The Sermon of the Mount is a brief summary of the whole message of the gospel preached by Jesus. We can say that it is the gospel in a "nutshell." The wise-foolish builders is an analogy about obedience and disobedience. Jesus uses this analogy to explain who are those that are OBEDIENT and who are those DISOBEDIENT to his teachings. The wise people HEAR the words of Jesus and puts them into practice. The foolish people only LISTEN but not hear the words of Jesus and disobeys them. So, the analogy of the Wise and Foolish builders is about obedience and disobedience. The Wise people obey Jesus and build their house on the rock and the Foolish people disobey Jesus and build their house on the sand. Where is your house build? Are you obedient?
^ TOP

AM NONYE I WILL LIKE TO TELL OTHER CHILDREN LIKE ME THAT IT IS GOOD TO SAVER GOD WITH SPIRIT AND TRUET, COS IT IS WAS MAKE LAZARUS TO SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD TODAY, PRAY ALWAYS AND HAVE THE FAITH, THANK GOD BLESS U AS YOU DO.
AMEN.
^ TOP

I believe GOD was the Father in the story of the prodigcal son and He taught His child to love uncondionally by loving Him uncondional
^ TOP