Lesson 4411

 Lesson 4411)(02-29-24) Luke 16:16-17 

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.“ 

 

Today’s quote states that the Law and the prophets were in effect until John (the Baptist); since then, eternal salvation by grace through faith has been the law for both Jews and Gentiles. However, it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. This passage emphasizes the continuity and fulfillment of the Law through the proclamation of grace. This quote underscores the enduring validity of the commandments even though, today, Jesus has already fulfilled them for those of us who put our faith in Him.

Lesson 4410

 (Lesson 4410)(02-28-24) Luke 16:14-15 

“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” 

 

In today’s quote, Jesus tells of the greed of the Pharisees, who were lovers of wealth and fame, they ridiculed and rejected Jesus' teachings. Jesus responded to their smugness by telling them that while they can falsely justify themselves before men, God knows that they are only concerned with themselves and their appearance to others. He emphasized that what is highly esteemed with mankind is detestable in the sight of God. This quote highlights the contrast between earthly and divine values. Therein, Jesus criticized the Pharisees' hypocrisy and their emphasis on outward appearances rather than the genuine righteousness that is demanded by God the Father.~

Lesson 4409

(Lesson 4409)(02-27-24) Luke 16:1-13 

“And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” 

 

Today’s quote relates the Parable of the crooked Steward. A rich man's manager is accused of wasting that man’s possessions. Facing being fired, the manager reduced the debts owed to his master by some of his debtors to secure their favor for future support. When the master learned what the Steward had done, he commended the Steward’s shrewdness, but condemned his dishonesty. Jesus used this story to make several points: the importance of shrewdness in worldly and spiritual matters; the idea that one cannot serve two masters—God and wealth; and the concept that faithfulness in the small matters correlates with faithfulness in the large ones, just as unrighteousness in small matters reflects potential unrighteousness in the large ones. The parable emphasized using worldly possessions to gain eternal friends and the impossibility of serving both God and money.~

Lesson 4408

 (Lesson 4408)(02-26-24) Luke 15:25-32 

“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” 

 

Today’s quote continues the Parable of the Prodigal Son, it is focused on the elder son's reaction to the celebration for the younger. When the elder returned from working in the fields and learned about his brother's return and the celebration that the father had arranged for him, he became angry and refused to join in. His father came out to plead with him, but the elder son expressed his frustration, feeling overlooked despite his years of faithful service without transgression. He resented the celebration for his wayward brother who had squandered his inheritance. The father responded by affirming the constant presence of his eldest son, stating that everything he had belonged to him. However, the father insisted that celebrating the younger son's return is a good thing because he had been lost and was then found, was dead but again lived. This part of the parable highlights themes of jealousy, grace, and the joy of reconciliation, contrasting the human tendency to earn favor with the unearned grace of the father.