Monthly Archives: July 2025

The Parable of the Virgins

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Matthew 25:1-13

It occurred to me today that all the virgins believed the bridegroom was coming. We’re not talking about believers and non-believers. The difference was between those who did something about their belief and those who didn’t.

A.W. Tozer said a preacher can preach the Truth, but if it doesn’t “alarm, arouse, challenge” the hearer, he might as well be teaching the multiplication table. Those are truth, too. (from Mornings with Tozer daily devotional readings; complied by Gerald B. Smith; Moody Publishers, 1991, 2008; see July 26)

This parable teaches belief is not enough. We know the demons believe and they shutter. (James 2:19)

The question isn’t, “do I believe?” but rather, “am I living as though I believe?” I have to ask myself if my choices, my words, my attitudes reflect the fact that I believe Jesus is the Son of God who loves me, died in my place and rose again so that my sins can be forgiven, AND that that same Jesus is coming again.

Am I ready? Are you? Because this parable is also a warning to people who believe but haven’t let that belief change them.

Paul says in Romans 10:9-10 that if we believe and confess, we are saved. To confess means to speak the words from our hearts. But throughout Scripture we are told that we also confess Jesus by our actions. James says our faith in Jesus is dead without a life that backs it up by what we do.

I’m going to ask again, are you ready? Jesus is coming again. Life on Earth is coming to a close. And once the Bridegroom (Jesus) comes it will be too late to get ready. The sad end for those virgins who believed but who must have felt they had plenty of time to do something about their belief, was a closed Door. Hearing the words: “I never new you” will be the most devastating four words anyone will ever hear.

Let’s get ready. Let’s confess with our mouths and our life choices that Jesus is the LORD of our lives. Let’s do the work so that when – not if – He returns, He will welcome us into our eternal home, where our belief will be sight!

Jesus’ Return

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Matthew 24

Jesus is coming again. That’s a fact. When He does, life on Earth will end, the universe will crumble. There won’t be any need of stars or moons or suns. But until He comes, life will be hard.

People will be treated unfairly. Sin will be rampant. There will be natural disasters and wars. There will be liars who will turn hearts away from the Truth.

Sound familiar? Those things describe life since the garden. I think God would have us less interested in the signs and more interested in the condition of our hearts. If we’re looking at the signs, our focus is drawn away from the sin that so easily entangles us.

I think God would have us busy working to enlarge the kingdom instead of wasting time trying to put together a puzzle of which He alone holds the pieces, and that He will complete according to His own timing.

God hasn’t even told Jesus when the end will come. Let me suggest we stop looking for signs. They are out there. They’ve always been out there. The end is near. And that’s really all we need to know.

So let’s get busy actually doing what Jesus told us to do, go and make disciples. We don’t have forever, you know.

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

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Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24

Luke tells us that without exception, the initial invitees made excuses why they turned down the invitation. All of the excuses we read about here are self-serving.

I bought a field so I NEED to go see it.
I bought oxen so I’m GOING to try them out.
I just got married so I CAN’T go.

The old I rears its ugly head once again. I need, I’m going, I can’t.

I think that some people still today think they have a special exemption from God’s invitation. “God and I have an understanding.” “I’ve done lots of good things.” “I haven’t murdered anyone today.” They rationalize that if all that is true, surely God will let them squeak by. They’ll just find a seat in the back when they are good and ready.

This parable tells us God has made one invitation, extended it to everyone – good and bad – and we have one of two responses: yes or no.

That’s it. No “but I…”

Friend, you are not the exception. The guy wearing his own clothes (his own righteousness) found that out in no uncertain terms. Heaven has closed borders. You go through one Door wearing Jesus’ righteousness, or you don’t go at all.

The invitation is this: enter and enjoy the bounty of God’s kingdom now and forever. Refuse and there will be consequences worse than your most frightening nightmare.

Consider yourself invited. What is your response?

The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

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Matthew 20:1-16

I was sitting here this morning thinking about this parable, and how it speaks to death-bed-confessions like the thief on the cross. What is their reward? According to Jesus, the generosity of God rewards them the same as He does a Billy Graham. The newly saved person meets the Savior in the same way we who are seasoned Christians meet Him, as sinners saved by grace. The Kingdom of God is like that.

Oh we, like the early workers in the parable, think the longer we serve God, the greater our reward ought to be. We’ll certainly have more stars in our crowns and live in mansions next to their bungalows. Right? I mean, we’ve put in the time. That ought to count for something.

But this parable tells us our rewards will be exactly the same. So if that’s the case, what good is it to live a lifetime of faith in Jesus? What good is it to be separate from a world that offers so much, if in the end I’ll receive exactly what a last minute confessor gets?

I can’t begrudge a last minute convert’s eternal reward. In fact, I kind of feel bad for him. A person saved on his death-bed doesn’t know what he’s missed. He doesn’t know the joy of fellowship with the Creator in this lifetime. He doesn’t know the wonder of answered prayer, or the privilege of introducing a lost soul to his Savior. He never experiences the hand of God to guide, protect, comfort, and hold. The death-bed confessor doesn’t know what that’s like. But I do.

And I wouldn’t trade one minute of this walk with Jesus for anything. This precious time He has given me to experience Him, to serve Him, to get to know Him and love Him is a gift I cherish. May I be a willing and joyful worker in His vineyard no matter how long I have to serve Him in this lifetime.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

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Luke 16:19-31, 19:1-27

The Pharisees were “lovers of money.” (16:1) So, since Jesus knew their hearts He told them another parable that addressed that. Their money would not buy them a place in heaven. They were living their best life in this life. Eternity would be a different story.

I can’t help but think of Joel Osteen and other prosperity gospel liars who equate healthy bank accounts with God’s blessings. But was that Jesus’ message – ever?

Lazarus, whose health and finances were both bankrupt, went to heaven while the rich man found himself in hell. Neither man had their bank accounts with them. The rich man had his rewards during his short life on earth. Lazarus, whose short life had been hard, was just beginning to receive his rewards.

We – I – put so much thought and effort into what we have, what we invest, what we drive and where we live. We ought to be thinking about what comes next.

Now, here’s a question: is Jesus describing an “intermediate state,” an existence somewhere between earth and heaven where dead people wait for Christ’s return? Is that what He wants us to get out of this parable, this interaction between Abraham and the rich man? O’Donnell seems to think so. (The Parables of Jesus; Crossway Publishers; 2023; p 50)

Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross, “Today you’ll be with Me in paradise.” Was Jesus talking about a waiting room? Scripture tells us when Christ returns the dead in Christ will rise first. Are we to believe they will be raised from that waiting room?

We who are bound by time have to believe our loved ones are somewhere. Where has Mom been since 1996?

The answer is, she is outside of time.

A former pastor of mine said it may be we will all get to heaven at exactly the same moment. The “today” Jesus spoke to the thief will be the “today” I join Jesus in heaven.

There is no 2,000 years in heaven. There is no such thing as a second in heaven. It’s hard to wrap our finite minds around that. So don’t try. Satan loves nothing more than we follow rabbit trails rather than consider the real lessons God wants us to learn.

I’ve already thought about this intermediate state way too much this morning, when the thing Jesus wanted me to consider is my priorities. Am I focused on the now, or am I looking forward, eyes on Him and eternity where I will receive the riches of His glory… eternity in His presence!

And, when we see Him face to face, it will be exactly the right “time.”

The Prodigal Son

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Luke 15:11-32

Why did Jesus tell this parable? I think it was to soften the hearts of the Pharisees. Jesus often used parables to challenge their thinking, to convict them of their own sin and to emphasize their need of a Savior.

They would never admit to being the prodigal in this story. They were “obedient” servants. After all, didn’t they pray impressive prayers, give generously, and study and teach the Scripture? Weren’t they revered by the masses because of their obedience? Didn’t they look down on the prodigals from their lofty position of religious leadership?

Jesus wanted them to know they were receiving their reward in real time, like the prodigal son had. But, like the son, they would one day stand before the Father bankrupt, destitute, and undeserving of the Father’s forgiveness. Then what?

In the parable, Jesus made it plain that repentance came before reconciliation. The son’s repentance opened the door to his father’s home, and the celebration of a loving father for the return of his lost son.

It would take repentance for the Pharisees to receive the same kind of welcome from their Heavenly Father. The same is true for all of us.

The Rich Fool

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Luke 12:13-21

I find it sadly relatable that the man seems to have been present when Jesus was speaking to the crowd about the hypocrisy of false teachers, about the necessity of fearing God, and bowing to Him. Yet, he blew it off because he had an agenda:

I WANT…

The thing is, by Law, if his brother had received the inheritance, his brother was the first-born and doesn’t owe this man anything. The man wasn’t asking Jesus to help him get what he deserved. He was asking Jesus to force his brother to give him what he did not deserve.

Who doesn’t want something for nothing? Who doesn’t look at what someone has, and want it or better for themselves? The problem of envy is a monster in all of us.

Unless we have a change of heart. Unless we move our priorities from self to God. We can have the healthiest bank accounts, the nicest homes, the newest cars, and the most expensive clothes and be the poorest of the poor if our souls are bankrupt by sin.

Thank God, through Jesus we all can receive what we don’t deserve – the forgiveness of our sins, and all the spiritual wealth of being adopted into the family of God.

That being said, I think there might be a chance this parable can suggest a works salvation. O’Donnell, The Parables of Jesus (Crossway Publishers; 2023) says Christians “must use their God-given financial means to be generous to others and thus store up treasure for the life to come. (p 24, emphasis mine). He cites 1 Timothy 6:10 and Matthew 6:20.

I guess my question is – what constitutes treasures in heaven? If our good works are compared to filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), do we present those to God in exchange for treasure in heaven? Do we give to the poor to get a star in our crown? Is that what Jesus is teaching here?

Or do we combine this with what Jesus says in Luke 17:9-10, and give simply because it’s our duty and NOT expect even a thanks from our Master. We are servants who obey, nothing more, nothing less.

Does our treasure in heaven consist of things? Or will it be the eternal souls we have touched with the Gospel? I believe this parable and the consistent teaching of Jesus teach that the only thing that matters are the souls. He Himself became a servant, emptying Himself of all the riches of heaven, and became obedient unto death on the cross. Why? It wasn’t for a nice mansion.

And Jesus is our example to follow.

The Good Samaritan

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Luke 10:1-37

Sometimes when people ask a question about our faith it is meant to show us up. The intention is to get into a war of words they’ve prepared to fight, and catch us unprepared to equal their “intellect.” Jesus, of course, was prepared for this man whose question was asked to test Jesus. But Jesus wasn’t about to prove His superior knowledge. This wasn’t about who had the best argument. Jesus was first and foremost concerned about the man’s eternal soul.

So Jesus answered the question with a question: “What do YOU know the answer to be?” Brilliant! Let’s start with where you are in the matter. Jesus knew the man would have to admit he hadn’t lived up to what his own answer demanded. So if he wanted to go to heaven, he would need someone to fix that.

After telling the parable, Jesus asked which character obeyed the Law. It must have been really uncomfortable for the man to have to admit that a Samaritan had it over the Jewish religious elite.

The study guide I’m using to look at these parables, (The Parables of Jesus, D. S. O’Donnell, editor; Crossway Pub, 2023), says this parable demonstrates our need for the gift of salvation. I think that’s accurate. It’s more than just a story about doing nice things for people, or handing money to a beggar. Jesus’ first and only priority was and is the salvation of the world. He wants our priority to be the same.

The injured man would likely have died if he was forced to lie there. He could not save himself. He needed a Savior.

The study guide goes on to say, in the case of the priest and Levite, merely being religious is not an indication of a “deep heart change.” A real and necessary change of heart will result in active compassion for any individual dying in their sin.

Remember, Jesus tells us to love our enemies, do good to them, pray for them to accept the grace of God. Jesus’ own earthly brother said that Jesus is compassionate AND merciful (James 5:11). Jesus doesn’t just have empathy or sympathy for a lost soul. He offers mercy from the cross for all who believe.

We all are or were that dying man by the side of the road. We all have sinned and fall short of God’s requirement of perfection, and the price to be paid for our sin is eternal death. It’s hard to believe that there are people who are refusing the compassionate and merciful hand of the Savior. They would rather die there by the road.

So our challenge is to BE that Samaritan. I recently finished a study on the Fruit of the Spirit, and in this parable, the love of God, His kindness, and goodness are clearly seen in and through the Samaritan. Let the same be true of me and you as we allow God to fill us with His Sprit, then let it flow as we stop and minister to a person dying in their sin.

The Parable of the Sower

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Mark 4:1-32

I’ve started doing a study using the book entitled The Parables of Jesus (Douglas Sean O’Donnell; Crossway Pub; Wheaton, IL 2023). And I am doing something I don’t often do… I’m actually filling in the answers to the questions the author throws out there. So far, the questions have challenged me to stop and really consider what Jesus is teaching under the surface. I think I’m going to like it, and I pray God will grow me as I look at some of Jesus’ parables through this study, with an open mind and teachable spirit. And I pray for discernment as I read the opinions of the author.

I think it’s an example of the brilliance of God and His beautiful plan for Jesus’ life on earth, that Jesus taught using parables. He spoke truth boldly, yet on the surface the parables seemed like good, if not confusing stories. Underneath there was and is a life-changing message that can be understood at just the right time.

If the people during Jesus’ lifetime on earth would have believed too soon that He was the Messiah they were waiting for, they would probably have prevented Him from going to the cross. Jesus’ teaching would all make sense after the cross, but until then He veiled the truth with word pictures that had most of them scratching their heads.

As I have considered the Parable of the Sower, I realize that in the past I have spent a lot of time considering the seeds and soil. But these last few days I’ve realized I might have been missing the point. As a believer, the seed has already taken root in the good soil of my repentant heart. Now, according to this parable, it’s my turn to sow.

The study guide challenged me to look at the Parable of the Mustard Seed in light of the sower. I went ahead and looked at all the verses in this section, the Parable of the Lamp, and the scatterer of seed. This whole section is about sharing God’s Word consistently, boldly, visibly, and without worrying about something over which I have no control – how it is received, or what kind of “soil” it’s landing on.

I may think that, well I’m not a preacher or gifted teacher so this doesn’t apply to me. WRONG! If you are a Christian, you are to be a sower.

Your’s might be the mustard seed, that takes the shape of an encouraging Scripture said to a hurting friend, or a personal testimony over coffee, or reading Bible stories to you kids. Your friendship might open the door for the chance to share the Gospel with just one person whose heart is ready to receive the seed you sow. Jesus is talking about A mustard seed in verse 31. ONE mustard seed that takes root and grows into a solid Christian who is used by God to minister to others.

Isaiah 55:11 assures us that God’s Word doesn’t come back void. Sow it. Let God handle the rest.