March 24, 2023
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Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 14 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.5 through 5.8 (pages 137-140)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
The priests and the leaders once again question Jesus’ authority. They are so set in the law that they can not and will not see the truth right in front of them. The last parable of the wedding feast is Jesus way of showing them that He has arrived, the table is set, and all are invited but you must choose to believe and you must accept the way God is providing but so many want to come to God on their own terms and in their own ways but it is only through Jesus that we can come to the Father!
On lent 2023 day 14
These parables are very confusing to me.
All these accounts and parables are comparing the Jewish leaders who thought they were in and accepted by God, but did not do His will (by rejecting John and Jesus) and the tax collectors and sinners who the Jewish leaders thought were out, and they were ultimately the ones who were in because they accepted John and Jesus. Now because Jesus and John based their ministries on the same authority, why should Jesus tell the Jewish leaders that if they didn’t believe John. The son who said he was going to go and then didn’t are the Jewish leaders and the son who said he wasn’t going to go and did are the tax collectors and sinners. At first take, you would think the Jewish leaders were obedient and the tax collectors were not….but when the Jewish leaders reject Jesus they are being disobedient and when the tax collectors receive Jesus they are being obedient.
And the wicked farmers are a picture of how the Jewish leaders through the history of the Jews have rejected messengers that God has sent them. It was common in that day for owners of land to lease the land to farmers and then expect a return of what was produced. This is what God did with the Jews. But they rejected God and didn’t honor Him in their dealings. So God sent prophets to bring His message and call the people back but they killed them, just like these farmers in the parable killed the servants of the owner. Then the owner, like God, said he would send his son, of course they will listen to him. And yet the farmers, and the Jewish leaders, kill the son. And so what will God and the owner do: bring punishment on those who killed His son as well as invite other farmers to tend to His fields….once again a picture of the tax collectors and sinners. And the parable of the wedding feast is the same…..those invited (the Jews) don’t come….so God invites others…the sinners and eventually Gentiles. But even those who come can’t come on their own merit. They must come based in the merit of Jesus, with the clothes of righteousness that He provides. And so that is what it means for that one to be thrown out because he hadn’t believed in Jesus.
Does that help Suzanne ?
Helped me!!
Yes, thanks so much, Pastor!
you are both welcome!
Day 14 5:5-5:8
Once again the Pharisees question Jesus authority. Jesus tells the parables and the Pharisees just don’t get the message that Jesus is sharing.
“Yes , many people are invited. But only a few are chosen”
The Jewish leaders were hypocrites when it came to the people when Jesus asked them a question. [ When John baptized people, did his authority come from God or was it only from other people/ ] The Jewish leaders couldn`t admit that John`s authority came from God even though the people believed he was. They were afraid of the people. But they also couldn`t say it was of man. So they couldn`t answer. Yet in all this both in earlier and latter conversations they refused to acknowledge the truth of who Jesus Christ was and stayed in their own self righteous and pride. Even up to the death of Jesus when they wanted Jesus dead.
Day 14
5.5-5.8
Everyone is invited to the wedding feast, but many people choose to do something else instead. Only a few actually get it and come to the table. Reminds me of a song by Sidewalk Prophets.
Come to the table
Come meet this mightly crew of misfits
These liars and these thieves
There’s no one unwelcome here
That sin and shame that you brought with you
You can leave it at the door
And let mercy draw you near
So, come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free