This is a hard one. When I first started studying and writing about Jesus’ spoken words, my intent was to shut out all the noise and opinions coming from the world and just concentrate for a while on exactly what Jesus had to say. His recorded words, not anyone else’s. Most of the time that has been very encouraging, sometimes it speaks close to my heart, and other times like this one, it can be a little hard to swallow. I kept wanting to add a “yes, but…” to Jesus’ words when reading this next passage. The Parable of the Unforgiving Slave Then Peter came to Jesus and said, “Lord, how many times could my brother sin against me and […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
The parables Jesus told were not just moral stories on how to live – they told us about heaven and hell. I imagine the questions people might have asked Jesus would go something like this: If you are the Son of God from heaven, then tell us what is heaven like, and is there really a hell? Wouldn’t you ask the same thing if you could? Jesus’ response is found in his parables. He did not really explain the physical nature of heaven in his stories, as our minds would not be able to fully understand that. But he did do a lot of explaining on how to get to heaven and avoid hell. When people say to me today, “I don’t think here is a hell,” or “I don’t […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
Not many things pass the test of time. Fads quickly come and go. Languages evolve. Styles change. But storytelling has always remained constant. Two thousand years ago Jesus told parables to the people, and those stories are still memorable and relevant today. Almost everyone has heard them in some form. We cannot say the same about most other things. But it was not a common practice in Jesus’ time to speak in parables. The disciples began to ask Jesus why he was spoke in such a way. In fact, they often questioned Jesus about why he did certain things, especially things that seemed contrary to the current thinking or way of life. Why did Jesus do what he did and say what he said? The only explanation is that He must have known something that we did not. Something we could not see. […]
Category:In Jesus' Words - from Matthew
About the Author
Sue McCusker is a writer, Bible teacher, and web developer who loves to share the stories of life, hope, and faith she sees around her every day. She has written for Guideposts and Angels on Earth magazines, and teaches the story of God in women's Bible study.
Subscribe
Happy are the feet of those who bring good news! Isaiah 52:7