Lesson 5381

 Lesson 5381)(10-31-26) Luke 13:18-22 

    " Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem." 

 

     In today's quote, Jesus compared the kingdom of God (the early church) to a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree and leaven (yeast or baking powder) that permeates through dough to eventually affect all of it. These parables teach us that the church of God began from humble and seemingly insignificant beginnings but has demonstrated an unstoppable, expansive and a profound growth that has come to be permanently entrenched throughout the world. ~ 

Lesson 5380

 Lesson 5380)(10-30-26) Luke 13:10-17 

    " And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him." 

 

     Today's quote describes Jesus healing a woman who had probably been crippled, probably by scoliosis, for eighteen years on the Sabbath day in a synagogue. When the ruler of the synagogue became angry that Jesus had performed this healing on the Sabbath, Jesus called him out along with those with him, as hypocrites. He pointed out that he and his fellow Jews always untied and watered their animals on the Sabbath and argued that this suffering daughter of Abraham, also a Jew, should be loosed from her bondage on the Sabbath day. ~ 

Lesson 5379

 Lesson 5379)(10-29-26) Luke 13:6-9 

    " He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." 

 

     Today's quote relates the parable of the barren fig tree. A man planted a fig tree in his vineyard and found no fruit on it for three years. He told the vinedresser to cut it down, but the vinedresser asked to give it one more year, to dig around it and fertilize it, to see if it would bear fruit afterward. This lesson illustrates God's patience and mercy toward us all. The fig tree represents those of us who have been given many opportunities to accept Christ, and despite our failing, God grants us a period of grace, offering extra time, and opportunity to change before final judgment comes. God's patience is tireless but not endless. If you haven't done so already, accept His amazing, saving grace today. ~ 

Lesson 5378

 Lesson 5378)(10-28-26) Luke 13:1-5 

    " There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." 

 

      In today's quote, Jesus used two tragic local events, people put to death by Pilate and victims of a collapsing tower, to correct the common assumption that sudden suffering proves some people are worse than others. He warned that all people are equally sinful and that we all face spiritual death unless we repent and turn to God. There is a lot to be said for this lesson today in that there are countless "Christians" today who believe they are better off spiritually than others because, like the Pharisees, they commit themselves to the bare minimum of what God has required of them. Nothing could be further from the truth. ~ 

Lesson 5377

 Lesson 5377)(10-27-26) Luke 12:51-59 

    " Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite." 

 

     In today's quote, Jesus explained that His coming brings division rather than peace, separating even families based on whether they have accepted His grace. He urges discernment, warning people to recognize the spiritual urgency of the age. We are to settle our spiritual debts before judgment arrives and stand fully reconciled with God. ~