ONE SABBATH DAY, JESUS WENT TO EAT A MEAL. The Pharisees had rigid ideas about working on the Sabbath, but they made it a day of feasting. They would say: "Greet the Sabbath with a good appetite; fill your table with fish, meat, and plenty of wine." AND PEOPLE WERE WATCHING. Jesus is a guest, but th... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN WHOSE LEGS AND ARMS WERE SWOLLEN. Jesus knows they are watching to see if he will heal this man on the Sabbath. DOES OUR LAW ALLOW? The Law of Moses did allow it, but their Tradition said it was wrong. BUT THEY WOULD NOT SAY A THING. They knew they did not follow what the Law said. THEN HE SAI... [ Continue Reading ]
SO BE TOLD THIS PARABLE. A parable uses common things to teach a spiritual lesson. DO NOT SIT DOWN IN THE BEST PLACE. Protocol gave special honor to certain places. Some of the guests were trying to get one of the _best places_ and the honor that went with it. IT COULD HAPPEN THAT SOMEONE. If you we... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN YOU GIVE A LUNCH OR A DINNER. There is no honor in giving with the thought of being paid back. Helping those who could not possibly pay you back pleases God. _"When you give to the poor it is like lending to the Lord, because the Lord will pay you back"_ (Proverbs 19:17).... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW HAPPY ARE THOSE. This is the happiness which God gives. It is a great honor to be "rescued from the power of darkness and brought safe into the Kingdom of Christ" (see Colossians 1:13)_. But many are not ready and willing for this!_ Matthew gives a similar parable in Matthew 22:1-14. COME, EVERY... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER COMES TO ME. See notes on Matthew 10:37-38. UNLESS HE HATES HIS FATHER. This is not "hate" in the sense of "despise, be hostile toward." Jesus says his disciples must hate _"himself as well,"_ yet each disciple is told to _"love your fellow man as yourself."_ The meaning is this: we must cho... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SITS DOWN FIRST AND FIGURES OUT WHAT IT WILL COST. This is just good sense. Before anyone follows Christ, they must learn what it will cost them, because everything that stands between them and Christ must be pushed into the background! But also look at the rewards!!!... [ Continue Reading ]
SALT IS GOOD. See notes on Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50. The Christian is the salt of the earth. The _taste_ is the spirit of love, good will, and self-sacrifice. One who does not have this _spirit_ is worthless to Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]