The Bible in Time...

Parables -  The Parable of the Mustard Seed Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Mustard Seed parables from Matthew 13:31-23 | Mark 4:30-32 | Luke 13:18-19 (Snodgrass). Luke 17:4-6 (Kendall) Kendall points out that the Mustard Seed parables attempt to have Jesus answer the question, “What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like or how shall we describe it? (Mark 4:30) This story tells us four things - Great things can come from tiny starts. God can take the most unlikely person and turn them into a holy vessel (to build the Kingdom.) God can take the most unpromising situation and turn it into triumph and glory. God can take the simplest insight and make it profound (Kendall, pp. 32 - 33) God’s rule is not like an earthly ruler but based on love as a servant. God will do things (ministry) for people in God’s own way. God will always break what we think is the norm of religion and transform it as an act of love no matter the size of ...

Parables - Jesus as Storyteller | 2nd Edition - The Parable of the Sower Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Sower parable from Matthew 13:1 - 9 and Jesus’ explanation from Matthew 13:18 - 23. Snodgrass suggests Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:3- 20; Luke 8:5-15 Jesus teaches us the acceptance of the Word of God by a variety of people.  Seeds on Path - bird eat them up - hears the Word but does not understand. (Kendall - The Supplanted Reaction - keeping blind.) Seeds on Rocky Ground - grew quickly but no roots and died - when persecution comes they fall away. (Kendall - The Superficial Profession - short time.) Seeds on Thorns - grew and were choked - hears the Word but cares of the world and lure of wealth chokes the word and the person. (Kendall - The Stifled Profession by the cares and worries of the world.) Seeds on Good Soil - grew and created much yield beyond imagination - the Word produces great fruit (Kendall - The Solid...

Parables - Jesus as Storyteller 1st Edition - The Parable of the Sower Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Sower parable from Matthew 13:1 - 9 and Jesus’ explanation from Matthew 13:18 - 23. Jesus teaches us the acceptance of the Word of God by a variety of people.  Seeds on Path - bird eat them up - hears the Word but does not understand. Seeds on Rocky Ground - grew quickly but no roots and died - when persecution comes they fall away. Seeds on Thorns - grew and were choked - hears the Word but cares of the world and lure of wealth chokes the word and the person. Seeds on Good Soil - grew and created much yield beyond imagination - the Word produces great fruit. In this parable, we are fortunate that Jesus takes the time to explain it to the disciples. The disciples are special to receive the teaching for there are many who don’t understand and ultimately have no faith.  The journey of the mature Christian will face ...