Parables Part 2

 

    Jesus took the Sabbath seriously because it is an important day to God, but no so serious that it became a religious act or justification.  Worship is about God.  Religion is about deeds that make a person look a certain way.  Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.  What he says goes.  He led by example, like healing on the Sabbath , but backed it with reason in parables.  That is was a big no-no to the super-religious.

    You can do what needs to be done on the Sabbath.  Eat what you want.  The point is to rest and focus on God.  You can focus and pray when doing mundane task.  Don't let people make you feel guilty or judge you for not meeting their standards for the Sabbath.  

    Jesus would rather you work for the good of others than be idol and look good.  Jesus  brought justice by making things balanced.  It can't be all one way or another.  His way gives hope through mercy.  The Religious leaders added onto the laws that God had given Moses to make the sabbath "more Holy" and suite their desire.  Jesus would never stand for that, so they hated him.

    Jesus understood that by watching him that most people were not getting a clear message, so be taught in parables.  He taught how to pray through the Lords Prayer.  Prayer needs to be persistent and bold.  You won't bother being bold if you don't believe it would work.

    God and Spirit are love and they give it freely, but their love is pure, not tainted by the world.  Jesus showed this love by being able to drive out demons because of it.  Pure love is powerful.  His power was not understood.  People started sending blessings to his mother like she was responsible.  Jesus had to use parables to correct them.  He was nothing like Satan, but their evil words portrayed their hearts.

    Parables are powerful because it hits a person where they are and they have to really think about the meaning.  It always goes deeper than the initial thought.  For an example: blessed are they who hear and obey.  Without context that could be confusing, but it is impactful.  We grow up in an wicked world which wants to destroy the light that Jesus is still giving the world.  His light can't be hidden or destroyed.  Follow him faithfully and you will not be consumed by the evil.

   

Matthew 12