Multiculturalism is destroying one nation after another by immigrants who come not to assimilate and unify for a common good, but to isolate themselves into communities with their own rules and practices.
What is the Methodology Behind the Parables of Jesus?
In our last foray into the life of Christ, we were witness to Jesus’ and His apostles whilst dining at Matthew’s house (See Christ the Miracle Worker is a Healer). In that account, I was remiss in not mentioning one other event that took place. Let’s fix that:
During the meal, the Pharisees were offended / angered, because Jesus’ disciples weren’t fasting:
Then they said to Him, “The disciples of John [the Baptist] often practice fasting and offer prayers [of special petition], and so do the disciples of the Pharisees; but Yours eat and drink.” Lk. 5:33 AMP
Jesus responds:
“Can you make the wedding guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But days [for mourning] will come when the bridegroom is [forcefully] taken away from them. They will fast in those days.” Lk. 5:34, 35. AMP
‘Fasting’ is a spiritual practice of denying oneself food and / or drink for a prescribed period to remove one’s focus from the flesh and shift it to the spirit, just as Jesus did before His encounter with Satan (See Christ as a Boy and a Warrior).
The Pharisees (who purposely ‘modified’ Scripture so that the laity would be forced to come to them for enlightenment), demanded fasting from their congregants twice a week indefinitely.
Fasting was also associated with mourning. And that is what Jesus is referring to here – rebuking the Pharisees, saying that when He (the Bridegroom) was with His disciples, it was time for rejoicing, not for mourning. Unbeknownst to the Pharisees, He was also alluding to His impending crucifixion.
Jesus continues by telling the Pharisees His first recorded parable:
“No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old one; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new [fermenting] wine will [expand and] burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one, after drinking old wine, wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is fine.’” Lk. 5:36 – 38. AMP
A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson – wrapped within the social framework of the hearer’s understanding. Jesus brought His teachings to the intellectual level of farmers and sheepherders, who most composed His audiences.
Simple, yet theologically sound:
‘Good parables…beef up an argument’s thrust by making it relatable and mentally sticky…They employ characters and themes that immerse us into the truths being taught. They force us to ask how we would act in a situation…teaching us about our relationship to the truth.’
Seeing Jesus from the East by Abdul Murray.
Returning to Jesus’ first parable, He described a process well known by His audience whereby a new patch of cloth will pull away from the older garment if it has not first been ‘pre-shrunk’ through a process of pressure, heat, and moisture.
Jesus is teaching the Pharisees that the old forms of Judaism could not contain the New Covenant message (Gospel), because it was not a ‘patch’ for the old ways.
Similarly, new goat skins must be used for fermenting wine because they were strong enough not to burst during the process like old ones would. Again, Jesus is pointing out that is that they cannot mix their message with His, and His saying that people want the ‘old wine’ is a reference to the Pharisees’ stubborn grip upon their old ways. Thus, the Kingdom of God would be denied them.
Now, we can push forward. It is approximately 28 A.D. Jesus and His disciples return to Jerusalem to celebrate a feast (some scholars believe it was Passover; others think it was Pentecost).
The Bible tells us that in Jerusalem there was a Sheep Gate, with a pool nearby called Bethesda. People who suffered from various maladies would gather around the pool because the angel of the Lord would appear at appointed times to ‘stir up the waters,’ and the first person that could enter the pool at that time would be healed.
Jesus approached the pool on the Sabbath and saw a man who was crippled and could not walk; and He omnisciently knew that he was in this condition for 38 years. Jesus approached him and said:
“Do you want to get well?” Jn. 5:6 AMP
The man first responded that no one would help him into the pool when the angel arrived.
Christ commanded him:
“Get up; pick up your pallet and walk.” Jn. 5:8. AMP
The man was totally healed! But Jesus disappeared into the crowd.
This was brought to the attention of the Pharisees, who became angry because the man did ‘work’ (picking up his pallet / mat) on the Sabbath. Then they interrogated him about how he was healed. All he told them was that a man commanded him to get up and walk, and he was healed.
Later, Jesus found the man in the temple and said to him:
“Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” Jn. 5:14 NLT
The healed cripple is jubilant, telling everyone that it was Jesus who healed him. When the Pharisees get wind of it, and they began to harass Him for healing (working) on the Sabbath. Jesus responds:
“My Father is always working, and so am I.” Jn. 5:17 NLT
The Pharisees felt that He broke the law of the Sabbath and blasphemed by calling God His Father and making Himself equal to Him. So, they want to find a way to kill Him.
Jesus perceives this and responds:
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself [of His own accord], unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever things the Father does, the Son [in His turn] also does in the same way.
For the Father dearly loves the Son and shows Him everything that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be filled with wonder. Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life [and allows them to live on], even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment [that is, the prerogative of judging] to the Son [placing it entirely into His hands], so that all will give honor (reverence, homage) to the Son just as they give honor to the Father. [In fact] the one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who has sent Him. Jn. 5:19 – 23. AMP
This is the turning point of Christ’s ministry. He is publicly declaring His deity – an equal footing with Jehovah, an extension of His will. And He has the power of resurrection, both in His incarnate time and on the judgment seat at the end of time. Also, He is to be revered equally along with the Father.
How BIG is your Jesus? He now elaborates on both the present and eternal ramifications of what He has just revealed to them:
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life.” Jn. 5:24 AMP
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a time is coming and is [here] now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself [and is self-existent], even so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself [and be self-existent]. And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is a Son of Man [sinless humanity, qualifying Him to sit in judgment over mankind]. Do not be surprised at this; for a time is coming when all those who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and they will come out—those who did good things* [will come out] to a resurrection of [new] life, but those who did evil things [will come out] to a resurrection of judgment [that is, to be sentenced].” Jn. 5:25 – 29. AMP
*…’did good things’, refers to behavior that reflects one’s faith in God. God wants your faith. You can’t earn your way to heaven. The only way is by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
“…I say these things so that you may be saved [that is, have eternal life].” Jn. 5:34 AMP
But now Jesus drives home the Pharisees’ present state, so that they may grasp how badly they have endangered themselves:
You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; and still you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. I do not receive glory and approval from men; but I know you and recognize that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in My Father’s name and with His power, and you do not receive Me [because your minds are closed] … Jn. 5:39 – 43. AMP
Do not think that I [am the One who] will accuse you before the Father. There [already] is one who accuses you: Moses, [the very one] in whom you have placed your hope [for salvation]. For if you believed and relied on [the Scriptures written by] Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me [personally]. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” Jn. 5:45 – 47. AMP
There is only one way to the Father, and that is through the Son. Amen.
Goodnight and God bless.
Christ the Miracle Worker is a Healer
We had just left Jesus as He was passing through Samaria, where He publicly declared His Messiahship to the Samaritan woman, who in turn, evangelized that information throughout her city. (See Choosing a Water That Makes a Difference.)
John the Baptist had just been thrown in prison by Herod Antipas, the governor of Galilee, because John had the audacity to rebuke him in public for forcing his sister-in-law to divorce her husband so that Herod could have her.
One year has elapsed since Jesus was baptized. Along with his 5 disciples, return to Galilee. And as if right on cue, Jesus is preaching the Gospel for real – bringing John’s message to its final fruition.
“The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].” Mk. 1:15 AMP
Christ is astonishing his audiences with His teachings in various synagogues.
He and His retinue returned to Cana, (the city where He performed His first miracle), in Galilee (where Jesus had said a prophet had not honor in his own country[1] indicating that the people were impressed with the miracles, but did not tie it to Christ being the Messiah).
And there was a certain royal official whose son was sick in Capernaum. Having heard that Jesus had come back from Judea to Galilee, he went to meet Him and began asking Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Jn. 4:46 AMP
It was an official under Herod Antipas. Jesus first responded (including as well to the onlookers):
“Unless you [people] see [miraculous] signs and wonders, you [simply] will not believe.” Jn. 4:48 AMP
The official pleads with Jesus to come before his child dies. Jesus answers with complete authority, healing the child without being there. He exclaims:
“Go; your son lives!” Jn. 4:50 AMP
The official had faith, went home, and his attendants said his son rose at the very moment Jesus had spoken…
Christ and His disciples enter a synagogue in Nazareth. Jesus reads aloud from the official Scriptures of the prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].” Lk. 4:18, 19. AMP
Jesus hands the scrolls to the attendant, and sits down to teach, gathering everyone’s attention and says:
“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.” Lk. 21: AMP
This was an obvious admission that He was the Messiah. The people’s response was however one of ‘prove it by performing more miracles.’
Christ responded saying that ‘no prophet was welcome in his own town and told them that in the prophets’ Elijah and Elisha time, they were only sent to Gentiles to heal, inferring that the same would happen here. The townsfolk were not happy:
…the people in the synagogue were filled with a great rage; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to hurl Him down the cliff. But passing [miraculously] through the crowd, He went on His way. Lk. 4:28 – 30. AMP
The bottom line was that Jesus performed no miracles because the people had no faith.
Christ and His followers went to Capernaum and entered a synagogue and was teaching with miraculous God-like authority, when a demon-possessed man in the synagogue cried out:
“Let us alone! What business do we have [in common] with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” Lk. 4:34 AMP
Jesus responded:
“Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further. Lk. 4:35 NLT
This miracle spread far wide in the region.
Afterward Jesus and crew went to Simon’s mother-in-law’s home and found her to be sick with a high fever. Jesus rebuked it and the sickness left her.
While they were there, many people brought their sick to be healed:
…people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed everyone. Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak. Lk. 4:40, 41. NLT
We are going to look at the apostle Mark’s account of the gathering of Jesus’ disciples and compare that with that of the apostle John’s which we’ve previously examined: (See Jesus Gathers Disciples, Performs a Miracle, and Cleans House).
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.
Now, He was going to expand upon their grasp of their calling, as He presses in:
“Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].” Mk. 1:17, 18. AMP
These are the same two disciples of John the Baptist, who left him to follow Jesus. This is just an official recognition on Christ’s part to ensconce them as official apostles.
A crowd was gathering and Jesus asked Simon Peter to use his boat on the shoreline to have a 180-degree venue to preach to the crowd.
When He finished, He told Simon Peter to cast out his fishing net, (he knowing they had no luck fishing the night before, and the fish were less likely to bite in the day. But it’s Jesus. Peter acquiesces.
…this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. Simon realized the power of Jesus once more, and his commitment to Him was strengthened.
They walk together a little farther and come upon John, (who’s already on board with Jesus), and his brother James, and father Zebedee. Jesus called John and James, and they became conscripted as new disciples, bringing the number to six.
Traveling along into a village, they meet a man with leprosy (or similar skin lesions) who bows to the ground begging to be healed, saying:
“Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Lk. 5:12 NLT
The drama is tense. We don’t know how many years this man has gone without being touched, as ‘lepers’ were cursed as ‘untouchables’ in Jewish society. Secondly however, the ‘leper’ is not doubting Jesus’ ability to heal him at all. Indeed, he is demonstrating his great faith. Jesus sees this and extends His endless compassion:
Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” Lk. 5:13, 14. NLT
Jesus might have been wanting to be a little more discreet at this time, but the knowledge of His healings was spreading like wildfire.
Jesus did the healing but is still showing respect for Mosaic Law.
One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. Lk. 5:17 NLT
The place was packed and some people outside wanted to bring a paralyzed friend for healing but couldn’t get through the crowd. So, his friends removed some roof tiles and lowered him on a bed down to Jesus.
Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” Lk. 5:20 NLT
Christ’s declaration threw the Pharisees into a tizzy because they believe that only Jehovah can forgive sins. He answers them:
“Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Lk. 5:22 – 25. NLT
Jesus was walking by the house of a tax collector named Matthew, stops, and says to him:
“Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk].” And Matthew got up and followed Him. Mt. 9:9 AMP
Moreover, He and His disciples ate at Matthew’s house with many tax collectors and sinners present. The Pharisees saw this and questioned the disciples as to why Jesus ate with sinners. Christ overhears them as says:
“Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but [only] those who are sick. Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I desire compassion [for those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].” Mt. 9:12 – 13. AMP
They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. They were completely amazed at His teaching; because He was teaching them as one having [God-given] authority, and not as the scribes. Mk. 1:21, 22. AMP
Jesus is filled to the gills with the Holy Spirit. He went out in the morning to pray by Himself, but eventually the disciples find Him, telling Him everyone is looking for Him. He replies:
“We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons. Mk. 1:38, 39. NLT
We’ve been blessed by a lot of revelation about our Savior today. The Son of God is without prejudice, fervently pursuing the salvation of all peoples. He heals the sick, casts out demons and cures paralytics. Even fish obey Him!
His Gospel (of which we are only scratching the surface) is amazing and life changing. He wipes out our sins with His forgiveness.
Christ loves you. Look at the lengths He is going to, to prove it to you. He’s building your faith.
There can be no doubt. Our Savior is a healer!
Personal addendum: As you know, I’ve alluded to a present health problem. Over the last 9 years, God has delivered me from 3 cancers, and He is about to knock my 4th and last one out of the park as well – all to His glory. He’s been with me all the way, healing me through His Son and the Holy Spirit as well. In this particular situation, I will require surgery to remove my colon so that colon cancer can’t come back, which will require a colostomy. It’s just a new phase in life where He is granting me the time I need to finish my work for the Kingdom.
So, having said that, I will not be making blog posts until the first of the new year. Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! And I hope to be back on New Year’s Eve.
Love you guys. Jesus has got this. He will be guiding my surgeon’s hands. Amen!
[1] Jn. 4:44, 45.
Choosing a Water that Makes a Difference
We had just studied the nighttime meeting between Christ and Nicodemus, as He tried to help him comprehend the wonder of a being spiritually reborn (see Nighttime Revelations of the Holy Spirit).
Now, we watch Jesus and His disciples as they travel through the region of Samaria. There was a city of Samaria as well as an associated territory. The city used to be the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. The territory was bordered by Galilee to the north and Judea to the south.
During the time of Jesus, the Jews looked down upon the Samaritans because it had been previously conquered by the Assyrians and the races were subsequently ‘mixed’, i.e., they were not ‘pure Jews’. Also, they did indulge in some paganistic practices.
Most Jews would travel around Samaria so as not to be ‘contaminated’. But look at this:
So when the Lord learned that the Pharisees had been told that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He left Judea and returned again to Galilee. Now He had to go through Samaria. Jn. 4:1 – 4. AMP
So, Jesus wanted to leave the area where His disciples (not Him) were baptizing because He didn’t want there to be any conflict with John over this misunderstanding. But look at the last sentence: ‘…He had to go through Samaria. No, he didn’t. He could have circumvented it like most of the Jews. He was being Holy Spirit-driven to go through for reasons we shall shortly see.
Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. Jn. 4:5 – 8. NLT
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jn. 4:8. NLT
The Samaritan woman is well-versed with the prejudices at that time. However, in typical Jesus’ fashion, He begins to open her mind:
Jesus answered her, “If you knew [about] God’s gift [of eternal life], and who it is who says, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him [instead], and He would have given you living water (eternal life).” Jn. 4:10 AMP
Jesus is pursuing this Gentile’s salvation!
She replies that He has no means to draw water and the well is deep. The Samaritan adds:
Where then do You get that living water? Jn. 4:11 AMP
Jesus keeps her on her toes:
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life.” Jn. 4:13, 14. AMP
He’s piqued her interest now. She says:
“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” Jn. 4:15 NLT
But Jesus is not done with her. She is still not in a place where she can hear His message for her. Seemingly unrelated, He says:
“Go call your husband,” he told her, “and come back here.” Jn. 4:16 CSB
She retorts:
“I do not have a husband.” Jn. 4:17 AMP
Now He’s got her where he wants her, a place to begin opening her mind. And He does it through His divine omniscience:
“You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus said. “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” Jn. 4:17, 18. CSB
Five divorces and shacking up with a 6th partner! Jesus is purposely exposing her sin, (without condemnation) so that she can be convicted by them. No one comes to Christ unless they first feel the weight of their sins on their soul. Only then can they see the value of salvation.
Jesus speaks no more of her sin. That’s love in action. He knows everything we’ve ever done, but His love doesn’t waver. Christ is ready to save all sinners.
The Samaritan woman is opening her mind:
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” Jn. 4:19, 20. NLT
She is asking him what she believes is a poignant spiritual question (and perhaps she wanted to shift the focus off her sins). Jesus expands upon her inquiry:
“Woman, believe Me, a time is coming [when God’s kingdom comes] when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You [Samaritans] do not know what you worship; we [Jews] do know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews.But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers.” Jn. 4:21 – 23. AMP
“God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Jn. 4:24 AMP
Jesus is saying that that time for worship is now. God is a Spirit that occupies all space and time but independent of both. Thus, He can be worshipped anywhere, at any time – regardless of race or ethnicity.
Worshiping in the spirit is only possible when we are spiritually ‘born again’.
This must be a little over her head. She reveals her heartfelt hope:
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ—the Anointed); when that One comes, He will tell us everything [we need to know].” Jn. 4:25. AMP
Jesus swings the doors of salvation wide open:
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you, am He (the Messiah).” Jn. 4:26 AMP
At that very moment, the apostles return with the food He had asked for, as the Samaritan ran into town telling everyone she had met the Messiah. The disciples were taken aback that Jesus was talking to a woman, much less a Samaritan.
They try to get Jesus to eat, but He never lets a teaching moment pass. He says to them:
“I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Jn. 4.32 AMP
The disciples are scratch their heads, wondering who had brought Him any food. Christ elaborates:
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work. Do you not say, ‘It is still four months until the harvest comes?’ Look, I say to you, raise your eyes and look at the fields and see, they are white for harvest. Already the reaper is receiving his wages and he is gathering fruit for eternal life; so that he who plants and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, ‘One [person] sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap [a crop] for which you have not worked. Others have worked and you have been privileged to reap the results of their work.” Jn. 34 – 38. AMP
In other words, Jesus is repositioning them back into His imperative – to save as many souls as possible, which outweighs the desires of the flesh.
Jesus and His quintet stayed in Samaria for two more days, whereupon many of the townsfolk received salvation and faithfully believed in their Messiah…
Goodnight and God Bless.