The Good Samaritan- not as you know it. #3

Like last week’s post on the Parable of the Sower, I’m sure many of you will already know the story of this parable like the back of your hand from Sunday school; to read the parable again, click here or find it in Luke 10:25. The meaning of the parable and the message that Jesus wanted to portray to us, through it, I believe is not the same as what many people believe. We know from what Paul tells us in Galatians 2:16, to inherit eternal life in heaven it is not about our actions, ‘doing what the Law requires’ but about our ‘faith in Jesus Christ’.

It all starts off, with ‘an expert of the law’, who stands up and asks Jesus exactly what we’ve just looked at in Galatians; ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Remember, though, the man asking the question is an ‘expert’ in what obey the law involves and teaches it to others in the Jewish Synagogue. Jesus replies by asking him, ‘What is written in the law?’. Knowing all there is to know about what is written in the law, he answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Indeed, that is what the law says, ‘do this and you will live.’ This is where we see the true meaning of the parable. 

The Parable of the Sower – Parables of Jesus #2

This may be one of the most well-known parables told be Jesus, but I believe that that is no coincidence. – Jesus often told parables as way of teaching. Parables; a story that teaches us a truth about God or, a story shows us behaviour that pleases God were used often by Jesus as people remember stories. When looking into the parable today, we will look at what happens, an explanation of the events and what lessons Jesus wanted us, and the people listening to him to learn.

The Story: 

If you want to, then the whole story can be read in Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 or by clicking here. This parable is very easy to remember as it consists of four simple parts. ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed’ and ‘as he was scattering the seed’ it fell on different ground.

• Some seed fell along the paths, and the birds came and quickly eat it.
• Some seed fell where there were lots of rocks and not much soil. The plants grew up quickly, but because the soil was shallow, their roots were not deeps enough. When the sun came out, it scorched the plants, they withered and died, ‘because they had no root.’
• Some seeds began to grow where there were thorns, which choked the plants as they grew up.
• Nevertheless, some seed fell on good soil, ‘where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.’

Explanation of events: 

You are not alone…

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes will be saved” – Mark 16:15-16

As Christians, we should have a passion to spread the good news of everlasting life in heaven, with the living God to all people. But I’m not here to preach to you about what you should be spending your time doing; who am I to do that? Today we will look into scripture to reveal what it says about how we are never alone on our mission to be game changers in this 21st century world.

The ascension isn’t about the absence of Jesus, but of his eternal presence on Earth. When Jesus left his disciples, he left them the Holy Spirit. An angel spoke about it and said, ‘”The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.’ Ephesians 3:17-19 tells of the true power of God.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will have the power to go about and spread the news of the gospel and change the world; just like the disciples. I have thought of various ways the Holy Spirit helps us in what we are called to do.

Where to start with the Bible?

The Bible is, in essence, the Christian handbook for life. It contains God’s Word to man, his instructions for living. Therefore, reading and studying the Bible is one of the most important essentials in spiritual development and ‘helping you get closer to God’. The following pages are for those in a relationship with God and also for new believers, who don’t know where to start on this seemingly daunting task.

Whoever you are, newly converted, or Christian since birth, if you struggle to know what to read in the sometimes unceasing Bible, this post is you for. We will look