PARABLE

PARABLE.

Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:1-10)

These 2 parables reinforce each other, although with different emphases, revealing the heart of Father God towards His children, that is, us.

Firstly, Jesus is again criticising the supposedly righteous religious people who do not see themselves as sinners. We have dealt with this previously.

Secondly though, these parables illustrate that God's nature is centered upon a desire to build a personal relationship with those He has created in His likeness.

While God could have made us like robots, robots cannot form true relationships, as they are programmed, not having a choice (or no more than a pre-programmed one) about what they do. Real relationship can only come when two people choose to relate to each other, in free will.

God set up a freewill test for Adam and Eve which, as we know, they failed.

And what was true of Adam and Eve was true in Jesus' time, and is still reality today. Many people, whether through choice, or a lack of knowledge, not having heard, do not have a personal relationship with the Father which, from New Testament times, must come through Jesus.

I am sure God cries (not theologically correct, I know!) when He sees His 'sheep' or His 'coins' lost to Him! For that is the heart message of these parables. He will go to great effort to restore the relationship, whether it be to someone who has never known Him, or to one who has walked away, for whatever reason.

In order to come to Him, we must first, as both the parables conclude, repent of our sins.

On the first Day of Pentecost after the ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came in power upon the church, as Jesus had promised He would. Peter confirmed the need for repentance as he told the people there;

As have a look at the Parable of the Wedding Feast

God (Jesus) HAS called, IS calling us and WILL call us. Are we listening?

Kathy and I take the opportunity to give you our best wishes at this (incorrect) time that we celebrate the birth of Jesus. May we search for Him and be found by Him!

IMAGES AND ART: Jerusalem

Jewish Quarter

The Broad Wall

Reconstruction work following the 1967 war allowed archaeologists to excavate various areas in the Jewish Quarter. One of the most significant finds from the OT period was the Broad Wall. Built by Hezekiah in the days before the 701 B.C. invasion by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, the Broad Wall enclosed the Western Hill and increased the walled area of Jerusalem five-fold.