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.


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

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.

The Dishonest Manager

By Mary Vee
Luke 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee

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

When only his disciples had gathered around Him, Jesus told us this story:

There once was a rich man who had many people working for him. He'd hired a manager to oversee the workers.

Among the workers was a man who oversaw the bills. This man figured out that the manager wasted the rich man's possessions when doing his job.

The rich man sent for the manager. When the manager arrived, the rich man said, "I understand you have been wasting. Tell me what you have been doing with my land, animals, and crops."

The answer given by the manager did not justify the costs spent to do his job. The rich man said, "This is your notice. You're fired."

The manager walked outside and paced. "What am I going to do? I'll have no income. My Master is taking away my job? I'm not strong enough to dig, and I can't bring myself to beg. I couldn't bear the shame. No one will speak to me and I'll lose all my friends. " He paced a little longer until a thought came to him. A perfect idea that would cause his friends and others in the area to welcome him into their houses.

Before his last moment working, he called in each of his master's debtors. To the first, he said, "How much do you owe my master?"

The man said, "Eight hundred gallons of olive oil."

The manager said, "Take the bill from my master, sit down quickly, and make the balance owed four hundred."

While this man changed his bill then paid his debt, the manager asked the second, "How much do you owe?"

The man said, "A thousand bushels of wheat."

The manager said, "Take your bill, quickly, and change it to eight hundred." And so he did and paid the debt. 

When the master heard what had happened he called in his manager and commended him. "You have acted shrewdly. Well done."

Jesus said, "The people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. Worldly wealth will only bring friends who seem to want to be around you. When the wealth is gone, that is when you will be able to focus on what is eternal.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

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.

Parable of the Lost Son Part 3

By Mary Vee
Luke 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee

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

In the last two weeks, I posted parts one and two of a story told by Jesus to the crowds who had gathered. Scroll down to read those if you missed them. 

The story begins with a father and his two sons. The younger one asks his father for his portion of the inheritance. He takes the money and travels afar, wildly spending until he runs out of money. The entire country is hit with a severe famine. The younger son finds work feeding pigs. He becomes so hungry he longs to eat the pig's food. At last, he chooses to go back to his father and beg to work for him. His father welcomes his some home with open arms and tells the servants to prepare a celebration.


Jesus continued the story. "The celebration for the younger son's return began. Food and drink lined the tables. Music played and the guests danced. The father was so very happy.

"The older son had completed his day's work in the fields and walked back to the house. As he crossed the last field he heard music and dancing. A servant happened to be outside. The older son said, 'What's going on? Is there a party?'

"The servant answered, 'Your brother has returned! Your father is so happy he has killed the fatted calf and ordered a celebration honoring the safe return of his younger son.'

"The older brother became angry and refused to attend the celebration. Word reached the father. He left the celebration to speak with his older son. 'Please son. Join the celebration. I have missed your brother so dearly. He's home. Celebrate with us.'

"The older brother shook his head. 'All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. You never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when your younger son returns after squandering your property with despicable people, you honor him with the fattened calf.' He huffed and looked away.

"'My son, hear me,' his father said. 'You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is now found. Now, please, my son. Come to the party.' He wrapped his arm around his son."

This ends this story. Later Jesus explained the story. There are those who will put their faith in Jesus when young and live a faithful life. But when the time comes for those who will enter heaven, the ones who believed at the end of their life will be welcomed equally. Jesus said, whoever believes in Him will have life.

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 Lost Son Part 2

By Mary Vee
Luke 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee

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

Last week I posted the first half of a story told by Jesus to the crowds who had gathered. Scroll down to read that one first if you missed it. 

The story begins with a father and his two sons. The younger one asks his father for his portion of the inheritance. He takes the money and travels afar, wildly spending until he runs out of money. The entire country is hit with a severe famine. The younger son finds work feeding pigs. He becomes so hungry he longs to eat the pig's food. At last, he chooses to go back to his father and beg to work for him.



Jesus continued the story. "The father went out to the road as he had every day since his younger son had left. He stood. Watching. Hoping to see his son in the distance. On this morning he stood the usual amount of time staring at the empty road. He began to turn but sensed he should look one last time.

"In the far distance, he saw a man walking. He shaded his eyes and squinted but couldn't tell who it was. He waited a long time for the man to draw near, near enough to see. He rubbed his eyes, blinked, then wept for his young son. "My son. My son!" 

He ran to his boy, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

"The son said, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

"'Oh my son, this is not so. I am so happy you are home.' The father called to his servants. 'Hurry. Bring the best robe and put it on my son. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and cook it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.'

"The younger son cried and kissed his father. 'Thank you. Thank you.'"

But this was not the end of Jesus' story.  

Come back to read the rest of the 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 Parable of the Lost Son

By Mary Vee
Luke 15

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee

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


One day, Jesus told this story to the crowds that had gathered, which included Pharisees. They quieted the second He began.

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one was full of life and no longer wanted to live at home and do his chores. The world beyond offered so much and he wanted to enjoy it while he could. 

The younger son went to his father and asked for his share of the family estate."

"The father loved his son and didn't want to see him leave, but he did as the boy asked. He sold off the younger son's portion of the estate and gave him the money.

"The younger son spent a few days finalizing his plans and packing his belongings. He said his goodbyes and set off for a distant country, thrilled to experience the adventure. 

"Money jingled in his bags. He stopped at the best inns and bought the best meals. Soon he had many friends. They invited him to parties and to their homes for meals. He lavished his friends with gifts and bought himself the latest fashions. Truly this was the life he wanted.

"Over time the money in his bags decreased. He didn't care. He planned to solve the problem later. 

"A severe famine came upon the whole country. He gave his last coin to the innkeeper while his belly groaned. He searched for work and found only one employment feeding pigs. Even with the work he still didn't have food. He longed to take some of the pig's food and eat it, but he wasn't allowed. 

"When he could stand the hunger no longer he said to himself, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to not only eat but share with others? Here I am starving to death. I'm going back to my father's home and say 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Please hire me as one of your workers.' 

"So, he left the pig farm and walked the long road back to his father's home. 

Come back to read the rest of the 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 Lost Coin

By Mary Vee
Luke 14

Peter

Jerusalem, Photo by Mary Vee

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


Jesus told this story shortly after a group of Pharisees grumbled about his last story. You can read it in my last post. 

Jesus began his story with this: "Suppose a woman had ten silver coins. One day she counts the coins and finds only nine. 

Wouldn't she light all the lamps and look in every corner of her home? Take her broom and sweep the whole house? Open cupboards and drawers? Move furniture, checking every inch of her home, searching for the one lost coin?

And when she finds it, wouldn't you suppose she would call her friends and neighbors and say, "Look! Rejoice with me! I have found my lost coin!

In the same way, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

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.

You Are The One Special Sheep

By Mary Vee
Luke 14

Peter

Jerusalem, Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 


Today's story started shortly after a group of tax collectors and "sinners" gathered around him. 

When Jesus began to teach, the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who were also there, muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." They scowled.

Jesus heard what they said. In response, he told this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them."

The men stopped grumbling and listened.

"Wouldn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"

Others standing in the crowd nodded.

"And when he finds the lost sheep, wouldn't he joyfully put it on his shoulder and go home calling out to his neighbors and friends along the way saying, "Look! Be happy with me. I have found my lost sheep!"

Jesus looked to the hills where a flock of sheep followed their shepherd. "In the same way, there will be more celebrating in heaven because of of sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

I wasn't surprised that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law grumbled and left. But the other men and women in the crowd stayed to hear more of what Jesus would say. 

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.

Can Salt Be Made Salty Again?

By Mary Vee
Luke 14

Peter

A road north of Nazareth, Israel
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter. 

I am here to tell you some stories recently told by Jesus. 

I and the other disciples walked with Jesus from village to village. Most of the time, curious crowds came and followed Jesus with us. 

Jesus often stopped and let the people gather near while he spoke. Jesus frequently explained new teachings with stories. 

Here is one of the stories told by Jesus. This one is called the Parable of Salt.

"Salt is good, right?" Jesus asked those listening.

The people in the crowd quickly agreed. Salt preserves, enhances flavors, and much more. True.

"If the salt loses saltiness, how can it be made salty again?" He asked.

This was a difficult question. One no one from the crowd seemed to have considered in the past. If the salt loses saltiness, we simply get rid of it. But Jesus asked how can it be made salty again. This, the people in the crowd didn't know. And in truth, neither did I.

"The bad salt can't be used for the soil or the manure pile. It has to be thrown out."

Jesus told each story for a reason. So the people would understand, He often ended the parable with "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

I remember Jesus saying His disciples are the salt of the earth. From this, I think He meant we are to teach others what we've learned from Him. If we don't study His word, or follow His ways we can lose our salt. 

Well, I can figure out what this parable of the salt means from this. 

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.


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

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.