On this Thanksgiving Day 2024, let’s remember how much God loves us in sending His Son to show us how to live. What are God’s orders for us each day?
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You might trust the words of a friend who had true, experiential understanding of a subject. Peter’s first letter to the church is written by a man who lived with Jesus and understood how to be spiritually one with the Father, as Jesus prayed he would be. Peter understood the rest and refreshing we have when God’s glorious spirit lives within us. We can trust his advice on how to live.
I Peter 4:14:
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
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More Than We Know
Most of us like to try and figure everything out. But there are some things that are beyond our mental understanding. God’s love in Christ is one of those things. It’s more than we know, but it is real and healing and makes life worth living.
Why Did Jesus Teach in Parables?
Teaching in parables, Jesus used well known settings to teach spiritual truths. (See FLJC #38) After his teaching of the parables to the crowds, Jesus desired some “alone” time with his more devout disciples. With them, he could reveal the spiritual truths of the parables to truly receptive hearts.
Matthew 13:10-14; Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9,10
[Matthew and Mark] [Matthew and Luke] [Mark and Luke] [Matthew, Mark and Luke].
But [And] when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve [disciples] came and asked Him about the parable and said to Him, “Why do you speak to them in parables? What do these parables mean?”
He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven [God] but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Therefore I speak to them in parables, so that in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn,and their sins be forgiven them.
Jesus explains to some of his faithful followers that the reason he speaks to the crowds in parables is because he wants to see the desire and humility to understand the truth that he is sharing with them.
And we find out what a sorry mess many of these Israelites were! In particular, the legalism of the Pharisees and Sadducees could not abide the counter power of the love of God and so they caused many to reject Jesus’ words.
Matthew 13:15
For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.
Most were willfully blind and deaf. Yet those who did seek diligently to receive the words of God that Jesus spoke, they received healing and blessing beyond measure.
Matthew 13:16,17
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
The disciples then asked for understanding of even more parables.
Mark 4:13; Luke 8:9,10 [Mark and Luke]
Then His disciples asked Him about the parable [of the sower], saying, “What does this parable mean?” And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?”
Jesus’ disciples did not understand some of the parables, but they truly wanted to know what the stories meant. So Jesus continues to answer them—with another parable!
The Parable of the Sower: By the Wayside
This next parable, the parable of the sower, is key to understanding all parables because it describes the four different reactions of those who hear the word of God.
Matthew 13:18,19; Mark 4:14,15; Luke 8:11,12
[Matthew and Mark] [Matthew and Luke] [Mark and Luke] [Matthew, Mark and Luke]
Therefore hear the parable of the sower [Now the parable is this]: The seed is the word of God. The sower sows the word. Those by the wayside where the word is sown are the ones who hear; When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then Satan the wicked one, the devil comes immediately and snatches away the word that was sown in his heart lest they should believe and be saved. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
Those who hear the truth about the kingdom of God, but it falls on deaf ears. They can’t receive it because they fail to understand. Our next group at least initially receives the good news.
The Parable of the Sower: On Stony Places
Matthew 13:20,21; Mark 4:16,17; Luke 8:13
[Matthew and Mark] [Matthew and Luke] [Mark and Luke] [Matthew, Mark and Luke]
But the ones [he] who received the seed sown on stony places, when they [he] hear the word and immediately receive it with joy; yet they have [he has] no root in themselves [himself], but endure only for a while. For afterward in time of temptation, when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they [he] stumble and fall away.
They received the joyful news initially, yet these people cannot endure the hardship of the world that tests their faith. Perhaps it’s the temptations of the false “good life,” or the affliction and hardship of the physical and mental challenges that come, or the persecution that is inflicted by others. But it’s not only the pressures of life that can thwart us, it’s also the pleasures!
The Parable of the Sower: Among the Thorns
Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:18,19; Luke 8:14
[Matthew and Mark] [Matthew and Luke] [Mark and Luke] [Matthew, Mark and Luke]
Now the ones sown [he who received seed] [that fell] among the thorns are they who hear the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of life, and the desires for other things choke the word, and become unfruitful.
Many cannot take their eyes off of what the world appears to offer. How sad to hear the Word of God, start to believe it, but then get distracted by the riches and pleasures of the world that choke it right out of their lives. But time for the good news—some will receive the Word on good ground!
The Parable of the Sower: Good Ground
Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15
[Matthew and Mark] [Matthew and Luke] [Mark and Luke] [Matthew, Mark and Luke]
But these are the ones sown [he who received seed] on the good ground, those who hear the word with a noble and
good heart, keep it, and understand it, who bear
fruit and produce with patience: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
This describes us! We just need to continue to avoid the snares of the pressures and the pleasures of the world. And with a noble and good heart, keep the Word of God in word and deed.
The Parable of the Tares of the Field
Next let’s explore the parable of the tares of the field that Jesus told to the multitudes earlier. He did not explain its meaning to the crowds, but he will now reveal it to his disciples who eagerly seek to understand.
Matthew 13:36-43 (Explains Matthew 13:24-30)
And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.
Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace
of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Those listening to Jesus must first recognize that Jesus himself is the sower of the good seed and the good seed is the Word of God. When we accept this, we become sons of the kingdom. And ultimately we’ll “shine forth as the sun” in the kingdom of our heavenly Father forever!
Some choose the Devil’s offer and may appear quite powerful in this world, but will end up being cast in the fiery furnace, destroyed forever.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Matthew 13:44
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Have not we all spent our lives looking for hidden treasure? It was a favorite game for me when I was a child. I didn’t know at the time that I would find the true treasure of life in the Word of God that pointed me to the Son of God. But when I did finally find it, I decided to invest my life, all that I have, in the kingdom of heaven.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
Matthew 13:45,46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
First hidden treasure, now costly pearls? I’m all in!
The Parable of the Dragnet
Matthew 13:47-50
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a fishing net that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
What a comfort to know that I have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. HE paid the price for me! I will not be thrown away nor cast into a furnace of fire.
Matthew 13:51,52
Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
What a joy it is to be rich in understanding these parables. They truly show us the knowledge and wisdom we need to make the best choices in this life.
PREVIOUS: Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #38 The Harvest
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Casting out and Casting on
The Gospels are full of records of Jesus healing people and casting evil spirits out of them. In fact, in the Gospel of Mark [where Jesus is portrayed as a servant] there are the most records of him commanding evil spirits to leave the bodies and lives of men.
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Faces on a Cliff
Visiting Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota was a long-awaited adventure. Sherry had visited with her family when she was young, but it had always been a dream of mine, ever since I saw a ViewMaster slide of it as a young boy. But what about these faces on a cliff?
Hebrews 12:1:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Seeing the witness of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln can be inspiring. Washington the “father our country”; Jefferson the “father of the Declaration of Independence” that set the foundation for our constitution and laws; Roosevelt whose “Bully pulpit” preached American values; and Lincoln who often quoted the Bible and fought to keep our nation together. Lincoln, whose image stands to the side of the other three, spoke the words of Jesus that a “house divided cannot stand.”
If I were to carve faces on a cliff, I might choose four others. Just as Washington, Jefferson, and Roosevelt are in a group in chronological order. I would put Abraham, Moses, and the Apostle Paul in a chronological group. Abraham is the “father of all who believe.” Moses declared independence from the evils around him and provided a law for a godly lifestyle. Paul used every opportunity to preach the risen Christ and the power of the holy spirit.
Just as Lincoln fought to bring all Americans together, so Jesus Christ fought to conquer sin and bring all nations together in one new body. I would put Jesus Christ off to the right like Lincoln. He deserves the greatest place of honor as God’s only-begotten Son who always did the Father’s will. But unlike all others, God raised him from the dead, and he is now Lord of all.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
It is nice to see the Washington-Jefferson-Roosevelt-Lincoln images to help us remember their accomplishments to bless our nation. And maybe we’ll never see the Abraham-Moses-Paul-Jesus Christ images on a cliff. But their example and accomplishments will bless all nations for eternity!
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Brothers and Sisters in the Lord
The epistle of I Thessalonians is thought to be the first letter Paul ever wrote to a Christian church. It followed his visit to them, as recorded in Acts 17:1-9. It was not an easy time, but Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy gave their all to help these new believers to the faith. The hope of Christ’s return and our gathering together unto him fills this epistle.
This letter is also full of love and thankfulness for their meek hearts and diligent care for Paul and his companions. He addresses them as “brothers” 14 times in this letter, showing that we all have the same heavenly Father, and there is no special “rank” in the body of Christ. We are all individual members with something vital to contribute [Ephesians 4:16].
Let’s look at each of these uses, and learn more about being brothers and sisters in Christ and how to finish strong each day. It is helpful in our study to note that God uses numbers with a specific purpose. At times, the numerical order of how a word is used in the Bible can fit with those purposes.
Bible teachers [like E. W. Bullinger in England] looked at how numbers occur in the scriptures. Here are some patterns they observed. The number one shows a beginning or unity; two establishes things; three is completeness; four refers to the world; five is God’s grace; six refers to human things; seven is spiritual perfection; eight is a new beginning [one more that perfection]; nine has to do with judgment; ten is perfect order; eleven shows imperfection [one less than twelve]; twelve is used of perfect leadership and service; thirteen shows rebellion [one more than twelve]; and fourteen is established [two] spiritual perfection [seven].
I Thessalonians 1:4
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
1) That is the foundation, the beginning, of our brotherhood and something we should know. We have all been called by God. When we answered that call by believing on Jesus Christ [Romans 10:9,10], we became sons of God and brothers and sisters in the Lord. We are spiritually unified in the body of Christ [Ephesians 4:3-6].
I Thessalonians 2:1:
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain.
2) What else should we know? The service done by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy was not without effect. They established the Thessalonians by setting an excellent example of Christian love and service. We can do the same to inspire and encourage other believers.
I Thessalonians 2:9:
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
3) And what should we remember? Paul and his companions worked night and day to have their physical needs met, so they could meet the spiritual needs of the Thessalonians. They gave themselves in complete service to preach God’s good news about Jesus Christ as Lord.
I Thessalonians 2:14:
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews.
4) These new believers in Thessalonica were facing stiff opposition, just as Judean believers did in Jerusalem and its surrounding area. There will be worldly challenges and tribulation, be we find comfort in knowing we are all fighting the fight against the adversary together as the church.
I Thessalonians 2:17:
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
5) God’s grace to us is amazing and astounding. Even though we may not always be physically together as Christians, we can hold each other in our hearts. And we look forward to being together again in this life whenever we have opportunity.
I Thessalonians 3:7:
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith.
6) When Timothy came to Paul and told him how the Thessalonians loved him and wanted to be with him, Paul was greatly comforted. Even though we, born like all other men, face affliction and distress—we can find comfort in each other’s love and care.
I Thessalonians 4:1:
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
7) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy took the time to show these believers how to live. It wasn’t just talk, but set an example on how to please our Father in daily living. Paul’s prayer was that they would spiritually abound more and more in their walk with God’s perfect help.
I Thessalonians 4:10:
And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more.
8) Paul is talking about their love here. They showed God’s love to all those in their geographic region. They got out and loved others. Paul wrote to the church at Colosse about seven ways to live for God—and the eighth was God’s love, the bond that ties them together perfectly [Colossians 3:12-14]. Paul wanted the Thessalonians to make a new beginning of each moment they lived, and to increase more and more in this love.
I Thessalonians 4:13:
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
9) One of the greatest things we can know and remember is that Christ will come back for us, and we will have new spiritual bodies like his glorious body [Philippians 3:21]. That is when all true judgment will take place, and we will be rewarded for the good we do in this life.
I Thessalonians 5:1:
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
10) Paul knew these believers had eternal life and would be gathered together with Christ. He did not need to remind them about the future events that will befall others. God’s perfectly-ordered justice will occur in the future, and we have been saved from the wrath to come [I Thessalonians 1:10].
I Thessalonians 5:4:
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
11) Paul told them that they were children of the light and the day. They would not be overtaken with evil in the future. Despite our imperfection as people, we are saved through Christ’s perfect work for us.
I Thessalonians 5:12:
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.
12) We should get to know other believers who act as “big brothers and sisters” to help us grow in the Lord. They put in the time to help us grow as they warn us of the adversary’s devices and help us walk by the spirit according to the scriptures. That is God’s order for leadership in the church.
I Thessalonians 5:14:
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
13) Those who rebel from God’s order, the unruly, need to be warned. Those who have been abused by the world’s evil, the “feebleminded,” need our comfort. Those who are immature, the weak, need our loving support. We can be patient to all in a world of confusion and distrust.
I Thessalonians 5:25:
Brethren, pray for us.
14) What will establish our spiritual wholeness and help us as brothers and sisters in Christ? The effectual, fervent prayer of believers will prevail [James 5:16]. We are to pray always in the spirit and watch for God’s solutions and deliverance [Ephesians 6:18]. We all need each other’s prayers. Jesus stayed up all night in prayer before choosing his apostles [Luke 6:12]. We should take the time to go to the Father in prayer for ourselves and others throughout our lives.
These are such great truths to remember as brothers and sisters in the Lord:
We are called by God; we learn by the good example of other believers; we can give our all in service; we comfort each other in life’s challenges; we long to be with each other; our love gives comfort; we can please our Father more each day; our love can grow bigger and bigger; we look with hope to Christ’s return; we are saved from future wrath; we are saved by Christ’s perfect work for us; we should get know and appreciate those big brothers and sisters who help us grow up spiritually; we warn the unruly and comfort the hurt and support the immature; and we constantly pray for each other.
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Strong to the End
God wants us to finish strong in this race of life. During the nearly 20 full marathons I’ve done, I often remember getting past the 20-mile mark and growing tired. It would be easy to stop and say I’d done enough. But with God’s help, I summoned the resolve to pick up the pace and run strong across the finish line. The same is true as we live each day, knowing Christ could return for us at any moment. The finish line could be now or years later.
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It Doesn’t Change What’s True
I’ve applied for a teaching job in North Carolina where we are moving to. I want to teach because I love a learning environment and to see young people grow into noble and well-rounded adults. I also enjoy working with other educators who do the same. But whether or not I get this job doesn’t change God’s power, love, or kindness to me. I want to do His will, and I know that, as my loving Father, He will meet my every need. How do I know that? Because He promises it in Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
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Our Children’s Children
One of the great moments in my life was on August 9, 1992, when our son Elijah was born. Another amazing day was when he married Aimee, and we finally had a daughter. Then on March 3, 2021, they had Florence. Seeing our children’s children is one of the great joys in life.