The Pharisees Question to Trap Jesus

By Mary Vee
Mark 10:2-9

Photo by Mary Vee
Jerusalem

Usually when one or more Pharisee asked Jesus a question, they didn't want to be taught. No. Their goal was to trap Jesus or get Him to say a wrong answer.

But He never did. 

Like the time a group of Pharisees approached him near Jerusalem and asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

These men had studied the Law of Moses. They knew the answer. 

Jesus, God's Son, answered this way. "Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife? The two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. What God has joined together, let man not separate."

The Pharisees didn't like the answer. They tried to trap him again with this question. "Why then, did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

Jesus said, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

By this time they'd entered a house. The Pharisees stayed with Jesus and his disciples ready to fire more questions. "Explain your answer."

"All right," Jesus said. "Any man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against his previous wife. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery against her previous husband."

The Pharisees thought about His answer then said, "If this is so, it is better not to marry."

Jesus said, "Not everyone is mature enough to handle living the married life. Marriage isn't for everyone. Some, from birth, never even give marriage a thought. Other never get asked or are accepted. And some never get married for kingdom reasons. If you are capable of living the married life, then do it."

Come back to read more.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Pharisees Plot

By Mary Vee
John 11:28-45

A tomb in Jerusalem
Photo by Mary Vee

Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, died. They put him in a tomb with spices. But when Jesus arrived, he performed a miracle, raising Lazarus from the dead.

...Some of the Jews went to the Pharisees and complained about what Jesus did.  

When the Pharisees heard the news, they called a meeting, inviting the Sanhedrin.

In the discussion, they said, "What should we do? Here is this man performing many miraclous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation."

Caiaphas served as the high priest at this time. He listened to the arguments then said, "Think about this. Wouldn't it be better for one man to die for the people than the whole nation perishing from Roman hands?"

Caiaphas didn't openly tell the Pharisees and Sanhedrin he'd prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation and all the scattered children of God, or that his death would unite them, making them one. 

"There is only one thing we can do. We must find a legal way to take his life."

The men at the meeting agreed.

Jesus, God's Son, knew what the men planned. He no longer moved about publicly in Jewish villages and cities. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim where he stayed with his disciples.

Come back to read the next part.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

By Mary Vee
Luke 18

Peter

Photo by Mart Vee - The Wailing Wall, Jerusalem

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus used parables as a way to teach the crowds, or Pharisees, or even the disciples.

Today he told this parable to a specific group of people, the ones who felt confident of their own righteousness and as a result looked down on everybody else. 

This is the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector:

Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisees are a group of highly learned men. They have studied and prepared for their very important role in the Temple for nearly their entire life. They have the sacred scrolls memorized, quote laws, and are the religious teachers for the people.

The tax collectors are Jews who were employed by the Roman government. They are told the amount to collect from each person. They also have the right to require the people to pay more than Rome demanded. This money the tax collectors could keep for themselves as their salary. Most people didn't like the tax collectors because they demanded so much from the people.

On this day when the Pharisee and the tax collector went up to the temple to pray, the Pharisee stood on the highest step and looked out at everyone standing in the court. He held out his arms calling attention to himself and said, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men. I'm not a robber, evildoer, adulterer, and thankfully I am nothing like this tax collector who is standing next to me."

He looked down at the tax collector standing on the bottom step then said, "Oh God, you know I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I receive." He said a few more words and ended his prayer.

The tax collector kept his distance from the lofty Pharisee. He kept his eyes toward the ground, not even looking up at heaven. The tax collector beat his breast and wept then said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." That was all he managed to utter.

Jesus looked at the crowd and said, "This man, the humble tax collector, and not the arrogant Pharisee, went home justified before God. Everyone who praises himself will be humbled. He who humbles himself will be honored."

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Parable Of The Judge Who Truly Cares

By Mary Vee
Luke 18

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee, Arizona

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.

The last time I wrote, I shared the answer Jesus gave the Pharisees when they asked, "When will the kingdom of God come?" You can scroll down to the last post for the answer.

After the Pharisees left, and Jesus was alone with us, he told us a parable to explain his answer. This is the story he told:

"There lived a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor cared about anyone he met. 

"There also was a widow in the same town who came to him with a great concern, 'Grant me justice against my adversary,' she begged. 

"He refused to hear her case. 

"She came back the next day and stood in a long line, hoping to be heard. The judge refused to help her again. 

"The widow refused to give up. She returned and stood in the long line day after day.

"Finally, after many pleas, the judge said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about any living person, I will see this woman gets justice if only to make her stop bothering me.' 

"This is how an unjust judge thought 

"But, The Almighty God, the Faithful Judge who cares about his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, will always bring justice. He won't ignore them, and He will help them quickly.

"So, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

This is where Jesus ended this parable. What do you think? Will He find faith on earth?

Jesus told another parable when the crowds returned. Next week I'll tell you this story.

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Rich Man Who Begged

By Mary Vee
Luke 16

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee, Castle in Austria

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.

The Pharisees had challenged Jesus on a point about money. To answer their questions he told this story about a rich man.

"There was once a rich man who liked to dress in purple and fine linen. He lived in luxury every day, demanding only the best from his servants and expecting the finest foods, decorations, respect, and more in his palace.

"He refused to notice the beggars and poor outside the castle. He preferred they leave, go bother someone else. Go anywhere but in his sight.

"A beggar named Lazarus laid at the rich man's gate. Dogs came and licked the sores covering his body. He longed to eat scraps, anything that fell from the rich man's table. He begged for mercy. Anything to ease his misery.

"One day the beggar died. The angels came and carried him to Abraham's side and comforted him.

"Soon after, the rich man also died. His friends, family, and servants buried and mourned him. The rich man found himself in hell where he suffered great torment. He looked up and saw Abraham far away. By his side was Lazarus.

"The rich man called out to Father Abraham. 'Please, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

"But Abraham turned to the once rich man and said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. Now, Lazarus is comforted here with me and you are in agony. 

"Even if I wanted to help you, I couldn't. You can see there is a great chasm that has been permanently fixed. Look at it and see. It is impossible for anyone to go from here to help you. And--no one from your side can cross over to reach us.

"The man who was once rich said, 'Please, I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house. I have five brothers. Have him warn my brothers so they will not also end up in this place of torment.'

"Abraham shook his head. 'They have Moses and the Prophets. They have been warned already as you were.'

"The man who was once wealthy pleaded. 'No, father Abraham. I know my brothers. They would believe someone visiting them from the dead. They will repent, I'm sure of it.'

"Father Abraham answered, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. You would not have either.'

The power of Jesus' story left everyone silent.

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Pharisees' True Love

By Mary Vee
Luke 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus had barely finished a story about a dishonest manager when a group of Pharisees listening in interrupted. They sneered and scoffed at the story. 

The other disciples of Jesus and I looked at them. We knew how much the Pharisees loved money. How they tricked the people into taking money to fill their own pockets instead of using the funds to help those in need or maintaining the Temple.

Jesus didn't turn away from them. He faced these men and said, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men."

Sady, the poor often believed the tales of the Pharisees. They longed to find another coin in the dust of their home to give to the priests so that a loved one could be forgiven or healed or... as if the money could do this. These poor would rather starve than see their loved one suffer. 

Jesus said, "But God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men, all the stuff you own and lavish before the world to see was paid for by the people who gave their last coins, thinking they were supporting the Temple. This is detestable in God's sight.

"Yes, the Law and the Prophets were taught until John the Baptist came, preparing the way for the Messiah. Since then, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached. You, though, are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others. What the people see and call monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous. 

"But there is now a compelling invitation to every man and woman. The good news about the kingdom of God. Know this, the sky will dissolve and the earth will vanish before one speck of the law fades. Can you keep the whole law?

"You cannot use your legalities to cover up your sins. Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery. The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. This is the law.
To explain his teachings, Jesus then told a story about a rich man. I'll write to you about this next time. 

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jesus, The Master Storyteller, Infusing Truth into Story

Jesus spent much of His three-year ministry walking from one city/village to another, teaching and preaching. The truths He taught were at times complicated to understand.

He spoke with many men, women, and children who met Him for the first time. People from all economical stations, genders, ages, and cultures.

Today, when we meet someone for the first time, the person who tends to intrigue us the most and earns our listening ear is the person who tells us about themself through a story. A telling of something that happened to them. This opening to the real person invites us to listen and want to know more about the person.

Jesus told parables to those who came to meet Him. A parable is a special type of story. It is a short story using a setting that is meaningful to the listeners. Characters in the story are people the listeners could relate to. For example, if several in the crowd were farmers, Jesus put a farmer in the story.

Typical stories that we find in the library or bookstore focus on one main character, a single problem, and their journey to find the answer.

In Jesus' parables, though, the story illustrated a heavenly teaching. A concept God the Father directed Him to present. The story was always timely, exactly what the listeners needed to hear. The story was always told plainly. I imagine Jesus sitting comfortably or unfolding the story while walking. 

Jesus the master storyteller knew how to convey His message. He explained truths in such a way the crowds came back to hear more. Sometimes the men, women, and children walked for days then sat at Jesus' feet listening to Him teach.

The last post shared a few of Jesus' parables. You can scroll down to read them.

The next parable told by Jesus is a lengthy one, but a wonderful one. Come back next week to read the Parable of the Lost Son.


Photo taken by Mary Vee in Samaria, Israel

Mary Vee is a Bible College graduate majoring in Biblical Studies and Christian Education. She has also traveled to Israel. Mary has served as a missionary in Honduras, Mexico, and the Crow Indian Tribe in Montana.

In God's Eyes, We Are All Important

By Mary Vee
Luke 14

Peter

Sun setting in Israel
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 

Large crowds traveled with Jesus today. When it came time to rest He turned and spoke with the people. "If anyone comes to me and does not place his devotion to me above his father, mother, wife, and children, even his brothers and sisters, and yes, his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

"I will explain. If one of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn't you first sit down and figure the cost to see if you had enough money to complete the project?

"If you laid the foundation and could not finish the work you would be ridiculed by everyone who walks by. They'd laugh and say, 'Look, this fellow began to build and was not able to finish.

"Now consider a king who is about to go to war against another king. Wouldn't he sit down and determine if the ten thousand men in his army could conquer the twenty thousand coming against him? If his answer is no, he might send a delegation asking for peace while the other army is still far away. In the same way, you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciple."

Jesus broke from his rest. While He walked farther, He told those who still walked with him several parables. 

The Parable of the Salt:
Jesus said, "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, it can't be made salty again. It becomes useless and is thrown out. He who has ears, let him hear.

The Parable of the Lost Coin:
Jesus sat at a table for a meal with tax collectors and sinners. There also happened to be Pharisees and teachers there. The Pharisees grumbled saying "This man is terrible. He welcomes sinners and eats with them. He should know better." In response Jesus said:

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you joyfully put it on your shoulders and go home. Once there you will call your neighbors and friends and tell them,'Rejoice with me. I have found my lost sheep.' 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."

Sometimes we think we are the most important. But in God's eyes, we are all important.

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

If You Were Invited to a Grand Banquet, Would You Go?

By Mary Vee
Luke 14

Peter

Sun setting in Israel
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 

For the last few posts, I've written about a grand Sabbath dinner. At this meal, a pharisee invited Jesus and His disciples. There were many others who happened to attend as well.

Jesus has been teaching those who came while they waited for the meal. As it turns out he has started another story. This is what he is saying:

There was a man who prepared a great banquet. He sent out many guest invitations.

When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant out with this announcement, "Come. The banquet is ready."

Sadly, each invited guest gave an excuse for why he couldn't attend. The first said, "I can't come right now. I've bought a field and must stay here to care for it."

Another said, "I have bought five oxen. I must see if they can do the work I need."

Another said, "I am sorry, but I have just been married. I can't come at this time."

So the servant returned to his master's house with his report. "I am sorry, master, but everyone had a reason why they couldn't attend the banquet."

The owner was offended. In his anger, he said, "Go out to the streets and alleys and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and lame. Let them freely come to my banquet. Go now."

So the servant invited all the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame then said, "I have invited all the people you have requested. See, they are at the table, and there is room for more." 

The master said, "Then go out to the streets, the country roads, anywhere you find people. Invite them all. I want my house to be full. Mark my word, not one person from the original invitation list will get a bite of food from my table.

What would you have said to your invitation?

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

How a Humble Man and Woman Can Be Honored

By Mary Vee
Luke 14

Peter

Sun setting in Israel
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 

I am with Jesus and the other disciples at the home of an important Pharisee. We have been served a Sabbath meal.

Before we sat down, the guests rushed to sit at the seats closest to the host. These are considered the seats of honor.

Jesus stood watching them. Once they sat he told them this story: 

"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, don't immediately rush to one of the seats of honor. A person who is more distinguished than you may also have been invited.

"When the host sees you in the seat of honor, he will come to you and say, 'Give this man your seat.'

"You will feel humiliated by this and forced to give up the seat to the more honored gentleman. You will look at the remaining seats and find only one open in the place for the least honored person.

"Instead, when you are invited to such a feast, sit at the least favored seat. Then the host will come to you saying, 'Friend, move up to a better place." You will then become the honored person in the sight of your fellow guests. See, every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Jesus then turned to the host and said, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner and invite your friends, relatives, and neighbors, they will gladly come then invite you to their home for a meal. Back and forth you invite each other. 

"Instead invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind to your banquets. When you do, you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you like your family, friends, and neighbors, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

One guest said, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

This person understood what Jesus said.

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

The Narrow Door

By Mary Vee
John 10

Peter

The Jordan River.
Men and women being baptized.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 

The other disciples and I left Jerusalem with Jesus after the Pharisees threatened to stone Him yesterday. We crossed the Jordan and stopped at the place where John had baptized many in the early days. 

Rather than visit villages, we stayed in this place for quite some time. Word of mouth spread the news of Jesus' location. Many men and women came to talk to him.

During those days, some people said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, we have seen that all John said about this man was true."

During those days near the Jordan, many believed in Jesus. The restful days from our hectic schedule felt good. 

Some days later, we continued on visiting towns and villages. The route took us back in the direction of Jerusalem. Jesus taught all who wanted to listen at every opportunity. 

One man said, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"

Jesus answered, "The door is narrow. This is the only way, though. Only those who enter at this place will be saved. There are many who will try to go through this door and yet not enter. Once the owner of the house gets up to close the door, those who have not entered will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.'

"But he will say, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'

"Then you will respond, 'We ate and drank with you. You taught in our streets. We saw you there.'

"He will say, 'Go away. I don't know you or where you come from. Leave at once you evildoers.'

"At this time there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God go in...and you are forced to leave. Men and women will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 

"There will be those who are considered last who will be made first, and those thought to be first who will be made last."

A group of Pharisees arrived as he finished speaking. They said, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.