THE PARABLE OF A SHREWD MANAGER

Inside me, I was mixed. On one hand, I was happy at my grand birthday party thrown in for me by my colleagues but on the other hand, I was sad at the thought of leaving them soon. I helped them all get hefty bonuses and none of them knew how it came about. Apparently, they were stunned by my gesture more than the fat cheque they received and some almost worshipped me for that. I was hoping they would do something more for me than just organising a birthday party. How I wished they knew what transpired between the boss and me.

All the marketing staff knew all about my relationship with the Boss and how I used to boast of having large amount of bonuses from him. Envious of my success, they often showed their displeasure with me. That was egoism at the heights for me. 'Better than the rest' was my motto. When they found out I used unscrupulous means to fish for business and bonus, they hated me even more. Everyone knew what I did but I didn’t care a bit! I was taught to soar no matter what. I figured that a football squad must score to win even if they had to play rough.

Then the crushing blow came! My Boss told me to say my last wish in the company. All along he knew I was playing tricks in doing business and he kept his eyes closed. This was because I brought in loads of money to the company. “I cannot cover for you anymore as too many people knew of your dealings here,” he said softly to me. It was not my style to beg but that day I was desperate for the job back. Yes, I did earn loads of money but much of it went out to girls, wine and travel. In fact, I had yet to settle the loans for my house and cars.

He stood adamant however much I pleaded and reasoned. He kept on saying, “Say your last wish as your parting gift.” I had to be quick because he gave me two minutes to say my last piece or forever hold my peace. The first thing that came to mind or rather, the only thing that came to mind was the money. Perhaps one last big fat bonus! That’s when the Boss came in and gave me a shock of my life. “Oh, I forgot to tell you that your wish must not be for your own. You have been selfish enough. Two more minutes,” he uttered and left without mincing his words. I protested loudly and then went blank.

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager is only found in Luke 16:1-9. Jesus tells this parable to the disciples whom he knows one day will assume leadership in the Church and they need prudence in dealing with money.

First of all, this manager in the story is both greedy and selfish. His master finds out and subsequently fires him, asking him to give his last account. In the last day of his work, he goes around changing some amounts of the debtors since whatever he does is still legally binding. Perhaps there is a plot between the debtors and him, agreements that will help the dishonest manager gain friends. That is exactly what he has in mind, to at least get help from new happy debtor friends (these debtors are rich business people considering large amounts of commodities they needed – vv 6-7) when he leaves his job the next day.

The master commends this shrewd fellow as he could also be a shrewd fellow himself, albeit, a bigger one. As far as Jesus is concerned, he will never condone dishonesty. But the key principle he wants to share with his disciples is using the power in hand for a purpose. Shrewd here in the ancient Greek literally means prudence. Therefore they need to use discretion when comes to having position of influence or usage of material wealth. The shrewd manager uses his position for his own selfish gain when he is at his job and when he is about to be fired. Remember, Jesus shares to them that the manager is fired for his greed (v1). He has squandered the master’s wealth. He strongly implies to his disciples to be ‘shrewd’ for God’s purposes or to put on their thinking cap when they have the influence (v8b). The key idea here is prudence when dealing with worldly wealth – do you use it to gain eternal friends (evangelism) or do you use it for own pleasure?

There are two main questions concerning money in a Christian’s hand..1. Where did you get your money?; 2. How did you use your money?

The disciples in the early church did practice the teaching in this parable where many followers of Jesus gave what they possessed for the poor!

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need (Acts 2:45).

Christians sometimes are not too keen in talking about rewards in heaven. That is why many righteous people of God will be surprised when Jesus sees them and rewards them for doing things to him. Yes, to him and not only for him (Matthew 25:34-40)!

Money is a test of faith and faithfulness of a believer in Christ! Yes, there are rewards in heaven await those who work for His kingdom! God is no debtor to anyone!

NOTE: The above parable ends the series - The Parables of the Radical Gospels. There are some parables I did not put into this blog because of their self-explanatory messages.

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON

“You should go back to where you belong!” Joe kicked me softly as he uttered those words. I hated it whenever he pushed me. Our crammed dirty one-room apartment was all we could afford at that moment. My male ego would never ever allow me to even think of going back after the failures to get the contract. Nevertheless, the last time our demo disk got thrown out, I did remember the words of my dad, “Hip Hop doesn’t suit you. I heard about the gangs, drugs and all.” But I was more determined, not because of him but another brother of mine. He rolled his eyes at me that day and seemed to say, “You won’t amount to much. Just go.”

We lost count how many rejections of our demo song with the record labels, even those non-reputable ones. And band leader, Joe, was getting frustrated over the group. My dough was almost spent, mainly on getting connected with insiders and on drugs. Desperation led to mistrust between us. Petty issues would grow into huge arguments. At the later stage, I felt they had used me to achieve their own ambitions. Carl and George left to form their own partnership. The last I heard of them was they got a contract with a record label I paid so much money to connect.

The one thing Joe still hung on to me was drugs. He promised me dreams I couldn’t resist, about becoming popular and so on and so forth. That was until he had seen my last account in the bank. No money even for food, let alone drugs. We fought real hard that day after he spoke those words and then he too left. I had to find a way to survive. The urge for drugs was intense. It was all doom and gloom.

The drug pusher told me to get dough from my dad, so that I could go on pursuing my dreams. I bluffed them that I would and they had to trust me by giving me some stuffs first. When they left, I could not help myself but sobbed. The first thing that came to my mind after sobering up was resisting on going back to my father’s house. I had broken the old man’s heart. I didn’t want to shame him in front of his many associates, spoiling his reputation. Perhaps I could ask him to send me to Siberia to work, as far as possible from him. And as far away from that brother of mine as possible!

My former band members didn’t even pick up my frantic calls for help. That night I feared the drug gang would come knocking on my door. They might even kill me for cheating on them. I quickly packed and left in the middle of the night. Every little sound sent shivers up my spine. Just having enough money for the bus back to my hometown, I sat there dejected and completely worn out. Thoughts of playing with my loving dad when I was young came flashing back. Tears flowed freely. Bad son! Bad son! I was in torment.

And then I heard something extraordinary. It was almost unbelievable. The TV on the bus was displaying a photograph of a handsome young man. And then an old man appeared on screen, pleading with such pitiful voice urging the young man to return. With hands over my face, I sobbed. What kind of a man is he? Then I heard my dad cried on TV and said, “I have been waiting for you every day since the day you left.”

The parable of The Lost Son is only found in Luke 15:11-32. It was the longest parable in the Bible and the last of the three ‘Lost’ parables.

This story arouses many hearers to anger as asking inheritance from a father who is still alive is considered a deep disrespect. And then the anger may turn towards the father as he is willing to give it to the younger son instead of reprimanding him. The religious Pharisees of the day will certainly disapprove of such grace given. But the father knows that inheritance is meant to pass on, sooner or later, unless he wants control like the religious leaders of the day.

Young and immature, he squanders his wealth in wild living (15:13). Only in complete desperation, he thinks of coming back. Not as a son but as an ordinary servant. He gives up hope for restoration into the family because of his great sin. He reasons he could at least get back some dignity of a normal human life. To his surprise, he sees his father running towards him in a far distance.

At this time, the hearers of this parable are in a state of shock. How could Jesus tell such a story? How can a father run in such an uncivilised way towards a way ward son? The Pharisees could have lost their heads here when the father reconciles and restores the younger son to the family. He deserves to be ostracised or even beaten for bringing this shame to the village.

The strong emotions that emanate from this story are exactly what Jesus intends for his hearers. The party to celebrate the long lost son may be the last straw for the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. And then Jesus brings out the older brother in the story. He is angry with the father just like those religious Jews. How could you, dad? This is super not right! Did you ever hold a party for me for what I had worked for you all these years?

The father treats his sons as sons and never ever as slaves. They are forever his flesh and blood, no matter what. When the older son was with him, everyday was a party for the dad! But whenever he thought of the lost younger son, he longed for him to come back. He could not celebrate yet with him because he was lost.

At the end, Jesus in essence asked these Pharisees and religious teachers, are you slaves or sons? Is God your Father or you are just His hired servants?

Obviously, there are two responses from the hearers. First response, the poor and the marginalised sinners rejoice at the grace of their heavenly Father. The religious Jews on the other hand, are angered by grace shown to these messed-up people. They may think that they should receive more than all these dirty people.

Today, God’s grace and compassion still usher in souls into His kingdom. Some of these people are murderers, cheaters, prostitutes and gangsters! And heaven celebrates when they repent and accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour!

Do you have problems with this?

Next: Parable of the Shrewd Manager
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/03/parable-of-shrewd-manager.html

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SILVER COIN

I jumped like crazy after I got the call. My close buddies jumped too, not as high but I believe it was contagious. The laughter on my face gave them relief after they had seen how desperate I was before. The stale drab college dorm room where we stayed turned into cheers of victory. I could also hear applause outside for us even though they knew not what we were doing. Some even knocked on our door as they went pass to see what had happened. Bet they wanted to share in our celebration. Or I guessed just to quiet us down.

Before that awesome call, I was looking dejected and empty. I almost lost it if not for Becky who lent her broad shoulders for my head and her Tee for my tears. She did not shun me like the rest. Becky even influenced some friends to console me. “Why? I cried without shame. “Why am I so careless?” That day, news spread about my case at the college and how people changed their perception of me. Everywhere I turned, I saw cheeky smiles and shaking of heads at me. How terrible? I already knew they could not understand how I felt. Except Becky, thank God.

Both Becky and I came from broken families. My parents’ divorce had taken its toll of me. Like most children of divorced family, I put the blame of their breakup on my attitude. I tried hard but still they gave up. My single mom gave me everything she could but most of all, she gave me assurance that I was not to blame for her predicament. That was a great relief for me. I felt lighter after that and made up my mind to take care of my mom someday. Perhaps someday take care of my dad too, if I could see him again.

Life was difficult for us as my mom had to sustain us with two jobs. At one point, I was contemplating coming out to work myself. My mom detested that idea and assured me of her support all the way to college. Everything turned up as planned until that awful day I lost a hundred-dollar note meant for part of my fees. Some friends were like, “Come on, grow up! It’s just 100 dollars!” But Becky knew what hard-earned money meant. Her mom worked as a nanny and she grew up staying in someone’s house all her life. Although the owners did not treat them bad, money was hard to come by. Thank God that her mom was able to save for Becky’s education in college.

With the help of Becky and my roommates, we searched frantically all over the college. When you lost something valuable, sometimes there would be hundred of places that popped up in your mind. After a long time and some weary faces of my friends, I called off the search party. As my friends went back to rest, I continued the search. “What would my mom think of me now? Oh mom, I let you down again?” Sweat and tears streamed down my tired face. It was a terrible feeling.

Head hanging low, I walked back to the dorm slowly. I whispered a faithless prayer, begging God to send his angels to find it for me. My three friends were in the room to console me when I opened the door. It was a well-rehearsed choice of words but it was better than nothing.

My world seemed to crumble apart until that phone rang. “Joanne, I picked up a 100-dollar note on my way to class and I thought it must be yours. I saw you and your friends searching everywhere for something. And…” Before this guy could finish, I trumpeted a high-pitched shout to my roommates. “Where did I lose that and thank you, thank you,” I blurted excitedly. “I would bring it over afterwards. I found it outside the lecturers’ office. Oh well, I thought I was lucky but anyway, it’s yours!”

Wild celebration erupted right after that. I could hear someone commented loudly, “Come on! Grow up! It’s just 100 dollars.”

The parable of the lost silver coin is only found in Luke 15:8-10. This parable Jesus adds on to the first one (the lost sheep) to get emphasis in regards to the mercy of God culminating in the parable of the Lost Son. The three parables back to back make reaching out to the poor and marginalised sinners, a major focus in the heart of Jesus!

It is as usual, sinners who have been marginalised and condemned by others will always have the soft spot in the heart of Jesus. Those lost souls wandering aimlessly, looking for God to just look at them with mercy. They know they will never get help from the religious elites. But Jesus stops for them. He has dinner in their houses and embraces them as friends.

One silver coin may not mean much for rich people but this poor woman saves up for her future. This silver coin may mean food or hunger. This silver coin may deliver medication for a sick member of the family. Or even part of the dowry for her future husband. She looks frantically everywhere, forgetting all the dust on the floor which sends flying all over the place as she sweeps and swipes.

Yes, a small silver coin is just a day’s wages during that time and when Jesus talks about it, many poor people know its value and importance. The rich will ignore and could not be bothered about the lost coin. That woman represents a God who knows the value of a soul, no matter how rotten or how nutty they may be. God looks into the heart and knows that all these people just need a loving acceptance touch of a Saviour. Just a genuine care by someone like Jesus, will impact them for eternity!

The greatest lesson from this parable is how God will stupendously search for the lost until He finds them! One soul is such significant to God and how heaven even rejoices for even one of these who comes and embraces the Creator!

Do we search out the lost or do we just shrug them off?

Next: The Parable of the Lost Son
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/01/parable-of-lost-silver-coin.html

THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE

My darkest fear had finally become a reality! And the lightning and thunderstorm outside made it worse. My mom warned me beforehand that I would live to regret it. That day, regret was more than an understatement. I had ruined my life.

When my dad was very ill, he began to manoeuvre the directors to have me helm his company. Suspecting my constant indifference towards business, they fought against the idea. Finally they gave up and in I went. As a loving traditional father, he hoped what he had strived for would be carried on by his son. But it was not to be. Instead, it was a disaster just waiting to happen.

I remembered how I sat at his desk just a week after his funeral. It was an indescribable feeling. The aspiration to take over finally came. But I had an agenda. A wicked agenda that was. Every one that stood in my way was either fired or transferred out! Many advices were torn asunder and thrown aside! Including my mom’s!

I started to bully smaller companies and forced them to close down. They cursed me to bits but I cared not a bit! In my mind I thought those were worthless companies! Many people suffered under my destructive ideas! Although I felt like a champion but deep inside there would always be a tinge of fear for consequences. Months passed and those fears intensified. The board of directors dropped hints whenever we met. The loudest was my mom who outright warned me that my sins would catch up with me, just a matter of time.

Just a year only I took over the company, the profit plunged and overheads increased tremendously. I knew somehow something was not right but I was too lazy to do anything about it. I trusted “my” people to monitor everything for me while I went about living out my promiscuous life.

That night changed everything. Few men accosted me outside the bar and hit me real bad. Stabbed and battered, I lied unconscious on the dirt road next to the rubbish dump. Before I collapsed, I still remembered that in my mind, I told myself, ‘This is it! This is it!’

Lying in the hospital bed at this moment, tubes everywhere in me, I remembered my mom’s warning, “Just a matter of time!”

The parable of the barren fig tree is only found in Luke 13:6-9.

When Jesus tells this parable, He is responding to some self-righteous people who think that those who had suffered and died violently deserve it (v1). They reason that God has judged them is because they had sinned greatly. Or simply they are Gentiles and are not chosen people of God. Remember, Luke writes to everyone regardless of status and creed, souls as loved by Jesus, the Saviour of the world. That “holier than thou” mindset is prevalent in Jewish culture. It is dangerous and must be seriously addressed. And Jesus knows that. This kind of thinking will prevent them from accepting God’s grace that He comes to offer the world.

Jesus being radical with His teaching on parables, does not mince His Word. He warns them about the impending wrath. Jesus assumes the role of the prophet of old. Repent or else! And He utters it twice (vv3, 5). Those who think they can escape the wrath of God with their sins must think twice. It is just a matter of time.

No one will escape the judgement of God unless he humbles himself and acknowledges his sins before a righteous God. God does not want anyone to perish! He waits patiently! Jesus tells of giving the fig tree another year after a long wait for the fruit.

On another look at the parable, the owner seems to give enough time for the tree to grow fruit. It is the servant who asks for another year extension. God listens to the prayers of His saints. If not for the prayers of the saints, many people would have perished.

Let us all take this parable as a warning that self-righteous attitude will lead us nowhere but downhill. How many Christians who went through troubles and sickness had received a double whammy when “Holier-than-thou” people whacked them of having been judged by God.

Let us all remain humble at all times and also pray for God to wait longer so that precious souls can repent and be reconciled to God.

Next: Parable of The Lost Piece of Silver Coin
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2011/01/parable-of-lost-silver-coin.html

THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL

I came back to my room, confused and frightened. Staring at the still photo of my best friend near my bed brought chills down my spine. How could such a successful man die so suddenly? When he had everything going his way? My mind that day wouldn’t let me doze off as quickly as I usually could.

Memories after memories of Peter came rushing back like an overflowing river about to burst its bank. Peter had flooded me with so many nuggets of wisdom about being rich and successful yet one statement always hollered louder than the rest. “Grab everything NOW while opportunities are in front of you!” Even at the funeral that evening, scores of friends and colleagues spoke of him as a self-made man. One even said jokingly of Peter as “The Grabber".


But no one knew that he spoke to me privately about how he wanted to settle down and enjoy his spoils. He told me how he wanted to live like the conqueror, like the king who had just won a battle, savouring victory. All his life, Peter worked tirelessly to get hold of everything that life and opportunities granted him. Before he died of sudden heart attack, he already acquired a mansion with 10 rooms, huge swimming pool, few fountains leading to the vast garden, fourteen cars of all kinds, plenty of properties all over the city. Wine and women were his constant companions. He was the envy of the city!

I stared at the clock and it was 3AM. Then something like a feeling of depression wormed its way into me. I am rich but why am I still depressed? Death took everything away from Peter! I didn’t think he anticipated that ‘thing’ to hit like that! Far from sight and far from mind.

On second thought, I felt death could be knocking on my own door soon. I began to wander about the rightful place of money and material things I acquired. Never one time had I heard my late best friend said, “Let’s use this money for charity!” or “Let’s give some money away to the underprivileged people!” In fact, we had these people all around us. We didn’t even stop for them, let alone give.

Peter’s sudden death changed my life forever. In the wee hour of that morning, I knelt at my bedside and prayed a tear-filled heavenward-goal prayer. “Lord, all my money comes from YOU and I do not deserve a single cent. Please forgive my sin of greed and indifference. Lord, from now on, let YOUR will be done!”

Strangely, when I finished this prayer, my eyes felt heavier. When I woke up the next day, I felt so fresh as though I got a shower from heaven. Immediately, my mind whipped up an idea, “I will shower my world with all the blessings from heaven!”

The parable of the Rich Fool is only found in the Gospel of Luke 12:16-20.

In Luke’s world, the rich are the elite Romans who lust after all kinds of material gains. God is of course concerned about the Jewish populace and later churches being influenced by them. Already, they are some Jews colluding with the greedy Romans just to enrich themselves.

Jesus tells the hearers to watch out for all kinds of greed (v 15). It is not only the greed for money that concerned the Son of God but also lust for fame, sex, power. But to love money is the root of all evil. Greed of money will eventually lead a person to lust for all other worldly pleasures that go against the will of God.

It is therefore both appropriate and timely that Jesus shares the death of the rich man who thinks he has it all. The man calls himself a success but God calls him a fool! Death is not the opposite of life but a part of life. No one escapes death even when one chooses not to talk or think about it.

At the end, Jesus wants His hearers to see the temporal state of life on earth. It is not that God wants everyone to refrain from enjoying life or trudging through life like a pauper, rather, He wants them to focus on heavenly riches.

In God’s spiritual law, it is more blessed to give than to receive. Greed does the opposite. Greed always says what’s in it for me. It doesn’t care who is hurt as long as I get it. God and greed don’t mix. You will love one and despise the other. The man in the parable chose the latter and lost everything when death knocked on his door. He not only lost what he hoarded but also opportunities to use what he had to serve God.

What about you? What will you choose?

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:20-21)

Next Parable - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2010/11/parable-of-barren-fig-tree.html

PARABLES OF A PERSISTENT FRIEND AND WIDOW

My little Tommy fell asleep in my arms as we watched his favourite cartoon movie together. Twelve this year, he was talkative and playful. As I carried him into his room, I was crying. Those were tears of relief and joy rather than anything. I knelt down by my sleeping boy and thanked God profusely. Carla, my lovely wife, stood by me, as always, cried along.


“Can we take away your baby for some kind of a palliative care?” Those words still rang vividly in my ears when Tommy was born. The cold doctor delivered the bad news to us. We knew our baby had some kind of deformity but shocked at the doctor’s suggestion. Confusion and anguish jammed my mind. Both of us gave him an emphatic no! I still remembered telling God not to treat me like Job. “Please don’t give and then take away,” I prayed with extraordinary fervency.


“Is there anything else we can do about the baby?” Carla implored the doctor and nurses in between sobs. “Yes. Let go,” the doctor said in a tone as if he had seen it all. My wife hollered uncontrollably in my arms as we pondered the next best thing. I finally made up my mind to hang on until God told us to let go. “It’s going to be very difficult for both of you,” one nurse chipped in. Fears gripped us at those words as we were also struggling to make ends meet.


We took the baby home and trusted God. The severe Down-Syndrome child that befell us took a toll on us. But determination and love for our own flesh and blood overcame all adversities. The negative voices were not over yet as murmurings could be heard from our neighbourhoods. Some even called to offer solutions other than the ones we had decided. Carla and I have never been so close to the LORD before as this ‘project Tommy’ (as we used to call it) had brought us. Day and night we prayed for strength and wisdom. At times, when Tommy’s condition didn’t improve, I argued with Carla that we should listen to the doctor’s advice. Other times, especially when Tommy could utter some sounds, they were such sweet music to our ears.


Pastor and members of the church became our greatest cheerleaders. They helped so much that sometimes I felt we have taken advantage of them. Anyway, that was my prayer to God when I complained to Him about my tiredness. “Can you send me some angelic help, God?” Sometimes I did feel angelic presence especially the day we saw Tommy’s first full smile. Both of us cried unashamedly. It was an extraordinary and a victorious day!


Tommy grew up so well it astounded all doctors when we went for his usual check up. They credited the success to the love and patient of Tommy’s parents but we gave all glory to God. By ten, Tommy had become a memory genius. He could remember most of the names of the 300 odd church members. It was amusing to see how he could know all the names of the members who sat at the first few rows without them being present. He was such a joy to the church.


The most incredible moment came when he went up the platform in the church to share his testimony. I promised to buy him his favourite cartoon movie and watch it with him if he shared in the service that morning. There were hardly any dry eyes in the church that morning when he stood to share.


“When I was born, doctors gave up hope on me. They said I would die. Thanks to God and to my dad and mom who loved me so much, they never gave up on me. I know God loves me and He also has a plan for my life. Thank you, pastor and all of you for helping my mom and dad. Thank you. God bless you all.”


The parables of a persistent friend (Luke 11:5-13) and a widow (Luke 18:1-8) are only found in the gospel of Luke.


As usual, Luke writes the gospel concerning Jesus to a wider audience as he is a Gentile. With many Jewish friends, he is considered to have best of both worlds. The poor and the under privileged are common sight to him in the land of the Romans. The Roman citizens enjoy vast support from the governing bodies of the day while other second class people of the land left to fend for themselves. The words of the risen Saviour therefore are vital to these hard-pressed ordinary folks.


Both of these parables tell about persistency in asking for help. One parable speaks of a man who knocks loudly and shouts at his friend’s door at midnight to save another friend. He is not bothered of the commotion he caused to his friends’ family members and the neighbours. His ultimate goal – to save a friend. The other parable tells of a widow whose persistence in disturbing the judge makes her wish to have her case heard comes to reality. These parables tell us about the unwavering urgency in pursuing righteousness and justice!

In both parables, Jesus teaches on prayer. Prayer is God’s method of answering His people. Persistent prayer melts God’s heart. Never give up attitude talks about faith in action and someone who is serious about doing what's right. God stops for all these people! Remember how blind Bartimaeus defies all negative voices, shouts for Jesus! And it makes all the difference. Jesus stops for him. No longer sits in the dirt road begging, he now skips joyfully along with Jesus (Mark 10:46-52)


Children of God, let us never give up asking God to fulfil His will on earth. Not to satisfy our own lustful pleasures but that the whole world may know Jesus! Let us fight for justice! Let us run with righteousness! Let us persevere to hold on to what God has for us!


From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it (Matthew 11:12).



Next: Parable of the Rich Fool
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2010/11/parable-of-rich-fool.html

THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

I had never understood pain this great before as when my husband left me for another woman. The arguments and silent treatments I endured could not compare to the day when I signed on the dotted line of the divorced papers. How could he? He promised love forever when we dated and later married. I felt violated and betrayed. I had lost my joy and the sense of security for the future. I wanted out fast of this misery. I looked for quickest and easiest way to end my life.

Whenever I wanted to do something terribly drastic, a name kept popping up my fragmented mind. It was Cindy, my best friend. Surely she could at least listen to my desperate cries. I waited for her. I wanted some release. Finally, she bumped into me on the way to work. To my surprise, she asked me casually about how I was coping since the divorce. Why? At least she could do was hug me and perhaps cry with me. I wondered what had happened. You know, I was by her side when she went through a rough time with the back operation. Some said that I did much better in helping her cope than her own husband. I was devastated again. The pain actually intensified.

I asked heaven what was there left to live. Was there hope for people like me?

By this time as I was contemplating another round of putting myself to “sleep”, another name cropped up. It was Chad, my boss. He had been quite an understanding person to me. When I was having marital hiccups, he became concerned. He offered me a good holiday break and lessened my burdens in the company for a time. It was quite refreshing for me just to think of such a person at this hour of agony. But he too didn’t call to offer a sympathetic ear. I understand his predicament because it was dangerous for a married man to console a lady in distress. He took the cautious road. But at least a call of concern, that’s all.

I waited as I sat at my cubicle at work. After some time, his secretary came over with some documents from him for me to peruse. Apparently, she brought along a message from Chad to offer his sympathy for me. Through her, he also reminded me not to put the company at risk with her personal issues. It was beyond sickening. He would usually chat freely with me and bring those documents himself.

I could literally feel the ache and numbness in the heart as extreme frustrations took over. It was unbelievable for those whom I gave everything for to shun me at such a time like this.

Why? I cried so much on that day, my swollen eyes could barely manage tears by then. I felt like a bird with broken wings trapped in a tiny cage.

That’s it, I thought. I felt I didn’t belong in this world at all. This was all too alien for my mind, my dreams and expectations. It’s time to go and bid farewell. What was the best way to leave this earth painlessly?

Just when I was about to spiral deeper into the cycle of depression, I heard few faint knocks on the door. Who could that be? Who cares anyway?

I didn’t even want to open the door. I hoped whoever at the door would slowly slip away as everyone had done on me. But the knocks not only persisted but became louder. Finally, I asked for identity. To my surprise, it was a voice which I was totally unprepared for.

Devi lived next door to me. I shunned her appearance as she would always look like your girl next door. Plain Jane so to speak. One time, I even sneered at her for being alone and I was thinking maybe she was not attractive enough for any man. I looked back now with deep remorse. She would always smile at me and my hubby but we seldom reciprocated.

We disliked spicy food and sometimes we told her not to cook her stuffs so much as the smell was pungent to us. Strangely, since my husband left, I did not smell those cooking at all. Perhaps she knew I was suffering that she did not want to add to my distaste.

The girl next door clasped both hands together to greet me as I opened the door. I could see her eyes widened when she saw my blood shot eyes, swollen almost shut. To my astonishment, she was weeping as she stood there.

Hey, remember me? Hello! I was the one who treated you badly?

Perhaps it was a natural reflex action, I hugged her tightly. At last, I felt warmth in this cold universe. She was apologetic to me for crying but later told me about how she wanted to help but couldn’t find the courage. We chatted and cried. It was a long evening for Devi who was all ears at my long-winded session of blowing hot and cold. I had never found someone as patient as her. She would not speak a word for hours but her silence spoke volumes to me.

Later I found out Devi even took few days off just to help me. For few days we went out strolling along parks, stopped to look at flowers and people walking pass. We went for movies, eating ice cream at the road side stalls. We also went to a hill resort suggested by her just for me to recuperate.

I felt like Devi opened my cage and pulled me out. Although my wings were still broken, I surely sensed healing coming. Whenever I felt the pain again, she would hug me without words! We became best friends forever.

The lesson I learnt from my ordeal was not my brokenness but Devi’s willingness to offer me help even though I treated her harshly.

I found out later that my best friend, Cindy and my boss, Chad avoided me, afraid that I might destroy their marriages since I was still attractive and would be single again.

The parable of The Good Samaritan is only found in Luke 10:30-35.

This parable was told by Jesus in response to a law (Moses laws) expert’s question about who should be the neighbour found in the two Greatest Commandments (vv 25-29; ref. Lev. 19:18).

When Jesus tells a story to illustrate a point, he will often go for the jugular. He is that radical! It is also interesting for Luke to write this as he is a Greek. Perhaps, Luke too has been discriminated against by Christian Jews.

Samaritans are considered impure Jews or even discarded as Gentiles. The religious elites teach people to shun the Samaritans and never to associate with them. The disciples are also taken aback when their Master Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman at the well.

In the end of the story, Jesus forces the law expert Jew to answer Him. And he grits his teeth to acknowledge the Samaritan’s kindness. He says it reluctantly as he omits the word Samaritan with “the one who had mercy on him” (v37). It is exactly this deep seated discrimination that Jesus comes to dismantle. God sees the potential in everyone. Although this story is told to this religious fellow, Jesus nevertheless wants all His disciples to understand His heart. There is no favouritism and discrimination with God. His love reaches everyone regardless. And Jesus wants His disciples to reach out to those who may not be like them. Sharing God’s love to some people that they may find offensive. And to nations that may even persecute them.

Jesus foresees the future of the church with that story.

(Col 3:11-14) Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

In fact, He foresees the ultimate kingdom of God on earth where every tribe and language, every people and nation will fall within His overarching grace. And all will be able to worship God in Spirit and in truth.

Next: The Parables of a Persistent Friend and Widow
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2010/10/parables-of-persistent-friend-and-widow.html

THE PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED

Marion holds the cup with her trembling hand and manages a sip of the hot-brewed coffee. Gazing through a window in her ground floor apartment waiting for the sun-appearing moment is her hobby. “Hey, handsome, isn’t this a beautiful day?” she gently jokes, while holding the photo frame of her late husband. He died early in their marriage and left Marion to take care of four little kids, two twins in a row, one set of gender each. Odd jobs and routine house works took up all the time she had, hardly enjoying a trip outside of town.

While she gets all excited at a tiny light appearing in a small cloud far above her, a knock on the door interrupts her vivid attention. Pastor Jerry has been visiting Marion almost once every week but today he is exceptionally early.

“Hello, Pastor, today’s early?” she opens the door for him, a little disappointed on the inside. “Sweet Marion, I know. Sorry about that. I have some things to do afterwards and thought of coming earlier to see you,” Jerry apologises. He helps old Marion to her favourite chair and pulls a stool beside her. The sunlight through the window has enlivened the golden frame of Marion’s husband’s photo and her eyes catch hold of him. A tear drops suddenly from her cheek.

“What’s wrong, Marion?” the pastor enquires gently. “Oh, nothing. Just a little tired,” she tries to look cheerful. “Okay, good. I have twenty good minutes to spare and I was thinking over some things about you,” the clergy man clears his throat. “Since you came to church some years ago, you have not been involved in the ministries of the church. I was thinking if you would want to serve in any of the various departments of the church,” he proffers.

The church they go situated few blocks away has been the busiest church in town. Rev. Jerry often preached about Christians losing the treasures in heaven and believers must give account to Jesus.

“I am sorry, Pastor. I will if I am not busy,” Marion replies bluntly. She received Christ as her personal Saviour about three years ago and Pastor Jerry feels that she needs to earn some “points” in heaven. “Okay then. Hope to hear from you, Marion,” Jerry speaks quickly and Marion can feel his disappointment. He prays for her and excuses himself, a little earlier than expected, just like he dropped by just now.

Marion cries when she hears Pastor Jerry’s car zooms away. It is not that she doesn’t want to serve but she feels inadequate. Moreover she doesn’t like the limelight. She laments the fact that she is useless before God. Old and useless. She thinks aloud and cries some more.

Saturday is her favourite day when she gets to cook for her sons and daughters and their family. The rest of the week, they take her out. Oh, how she could not wait for them to return. She looks at her watch for the fourth time. Smelling all the favourite foods she cooked for her own flesh and blood, she sits there and grins. Before she can look at her watch again, few tiny knocks sounded at the door. It must be the grandchildren.

When she opens the door, before she can say anything, two girls scramble to hug her. “Grandma! Grandma!” As the hugs are going on, her eyes wink at all the sons and daughters walking in one by one smiling. “Johnson, stop your itchy fingers from the food before prayer,” she warns the youngest twin with a smile, like she have eyes on her back. All of them now have good jobs and earn more than a decent living. Laughter fills the entire apartment as they chat like long lost folks.

David the older twin son gives Marion a long kiss on the forehead. “How are you, lady?” he teases. “Okay, son, okay,” she answers, not as cheerful as before. David senses some discomfort from the old lady, whistles for June, the eldest sibling in the family to come near.

“Mom, you can surely talk to us, can’t you?” June asks with concern.

“I was thinking about my spiritual life. Well, I am going to meet my Maker soon enough. What have I got to offer Him?” Marion opens up.

While the children are playing away, her four kids sits her down calmly.

“Mom, you have more to offer God than all of us put together,” June begins first.

“And how’s that?” Marion answers unconvinced.

“Take a good look at the four of us, Mom. Who brought us up and make us stand on our two feet? Who taught us the values we hold so strongly now?” June continues.

“And who had cooked for us to make us strong physically so that we had enough energy to make a decent living?” Johnson chips in.

“Who brought us to the church so that we found Christ?” Rachel, the other twin daughter adds, wiping her tears away.

“Yeah. And who was there when we needed comfort and guidance?” David speaks gently, holding her mom’s face up.

“Mom, you were serving God when you gave your best to your children and you still are. We all love you!” June speaks firmly with a smile.

"And when you meet God one day, hold your head up high to Him and smile,” David adds on strongly.

Marion lets out a wide grin and tries to hug them all at one time. “I could do that when you guys were little but now, I can’t,” she jokes.

“That’s because God grows the effort you put in for Him,” June responds.

The parable of the Growing Seed is only found in Mark 4:26-29.

This story of the growing seed speaks of a simple trust in God when we serve in His kingdom. A normal farmer’s know how is to scatter seed first and then harvest them when the time comes. He would never bother to learn the dynamics of a growing plant with all its complications. All he knows is that it works and it works well every time provided there are no natural calamities.

But the farmer must be a good farmer to be called a farmer. A good farmer is dedicated to seed planting and harvest gathering. When is more important than why!

Many Christians are concerned about the ‘whys’ so much that they have forgotten about the ‘whens’. They have lost so many opportunities for harvest, lost souls slipped from their ‘net’. They talk and talk about the dynamics of fishing and never really do any fishing. In fact good Christian like good farmer is an oxymoron. Christians are good and farmers are good at what they are doing.

So, let us all know when to scatter seed and when to harvest. When opportunities arise, let us seize them with our very best!

NOTE: I am not saying we should not analyse anything but do not let our analyses paralyse our opportunities to advance the kingdom of God.

Next: Parable of the Good Samaritan
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2010/10/parable-of-good-samaritan.html

THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

Tom walks past two old men, both slumping on their wheel chairs, staring into space. The familiarity of the place makes him oblivious of those residents languishing in the old run-down centre. He has seen it all, the filth from the bodies and all. Worst were those who died with sores and liquids running down their faces. Sitting down at his office, he gulps down a hotdog, fresh from the oven. Checking his accounts again, he puts on a wide grin. Not bad for this filth factory! He smiles again.

Many years ago, this Home was the pride of the town. To register in, one has to wait for a long time, until everything is stringently checked and in order. Since Mr. Lansing took his business to another country, things began to deteriorate. His late co-worker’s son, Tom Watson runs like a tyrant businessman, careless and completely detached.

Those who are there now have few distant relatives who seldom drop by anymore. They trust the once-popular centre to handle everything, hence, only send in their money.

At Tom sits there about to doze off, a knock on the door jolts him. “Mr. Watson, there is a young man outside who wants to see you. He said something like wanted to be a volunteer,” an old worker opens the door. Tom waves for the old man to leave and ushers the energetic teenager to have a seat. “A volunteer huh? You mean you don’t want to get paid for helping here?” he quickly enquires.

“Yes, Boss! I am here to help, that’s all!” the young man answers politely.

“How can you help and what are the hours? We don’t want half-hearted religious freaks here,” the fat caretaker grunts.

“I will be here in the afternoons. I don’t mind to do anything."

“Very well, then! Can you help out in the kitchen as one worker is sick today?”

Johnny strolls into the kitchen and his eyes widen. It looks more like a garage than a place where health of the old folks are supposed to be taken care of. Vegetables are strewn everywhere, stale and brownish. He opens the old squeaky fridge only to find more almost rotten meat and vegetables. The floor reeks with combined smells of milk and medicine. No wonder he saw the sign just now from the outside, “Do Not Enter”.

Few small drops of tears fall from his eyes as he helps to clean up. “Hey, who are you?” a rugged man roars from behind him.

“I am a volunteer here,” Johnny quickly wipes his face.

“Oh, just don’t get too neat here. We may not know where to find things,” the cook speaks with a sarcastic tone.

Late afternoon…

Hearing laughter from the corridors which is rare, Tom takes a u turn. He peeks to see the teenager having a lively conversation with Uncle Joe, a long time resident in the Home. Knocking on the wooden frame to get Johnny’s attention, he whistles for him.

“I think you shouldn’t speak to the old people here, especially that old man,” Tom orders.

“Why not?” Johnny protests.

“They are quite sketchy of things here and tend to complain a lot. I don’t want them to discourage you,” the caretaker explains.

“As far as I know, they are fine,” the teenager shoots back. “Uncle Joe did complain a little bit but he has accepted his fate,” he adds with compassion for the tough old man. Resignation is the obvious sign for all these residents, just bidding for their time to go.

“I think I made a mistake to let you help here. Anyway, I still feel drowsy from last night’s football on TV,” Tom clears his throat.

“Please Boss! Let me help,” Johnny pleads.

“No. Please get out of here,” the fat man raises his voice. Few old people stare blankly at him. He lowers his voice but still holds steadfastly his decision.

The teenager cries and marches out of the door. He really desires to change things around here and he feels he can contribute substantially.

Next Morning….

Tom puts both of his feet on top of the table and reads the sports page. A knock interrupts his intent gaze. Two burly men in uniform stand in front of him. “Mr. Tom Watson, you are under arrest for abuse and fraud. We need you to follow us to the station for questioning,” one officer speaks with a stony face.

Trembling with fear, he protests. “You guys are crazy. What abuse?” Tom shouts back.

“There are two witnesses who will testify against you,” another officer puts it calmly.

“Who dares to do that, I’ll sue him!” the fat man yells on top of his voice.

“First, Uncle Joe, who have had enough of your antics at this Centre. And he… is my uncle,” the cop speaks angrily. “I didn’t know until someone reported you. He is the second person, Johnny Lansing, the youngest son of Mr. Lansing, the original owner of the Home.”

“You have no proofs,” Tom Watson grunts.

“These photographs from Johnny’s camera say it all,” the cop retorts, holds some clear shots from the Home. “How could you? You have carried away by your own laziness and greed. The whole reputation of the Home which Mr. Lansing and your dad built has been ruined,” he blurts.

As he is led out, a loud cheer can be heard from the residents. Tom sees his workers all already in the patrol cars. Before he enters into one, his eyes lock on the teenager’s. Johnny stands there, feeling a little uncomfortable. Next to him, his father, Mr. Lansing nods sadly at the handcuffed man. He remembers how he used to love him when he was little.

The parable of the Sheep and the Goats is only found in Matthew 25:31-46 and the last one in this Gospel.

Sheep and goats are quite similar in their looks but characteristically different in their behaviour. Goats are natural browsers and agile, they are actually quite independent. Sheep are more grazers, graze close to the soil surface whereas goats like to eat top of plants. One significant difference is that sheep have a stronger flocking instinct and become very agitated if they are separated from the rest of the flock.

When Jesus presents these domestic animals in the story, everyone knows what he is talking about. The Israelites have been using these animals for sacrifice and food for centuries! The goats are independent lots who browse everywhere for food, “touch and go” animals. These represent a part of humanity who is selfish, restless and thinks he’s okay without God. These groups of people listen to Jesus’ words but those teachings often fall on unfertile hearts. They care more for things than relationships.

Sheep eat tender grasses and they do it slowly, making sure everything is gobbled up before advancing. Sheep fear being lost. They desire a loving shepherd to guide them. These people in Jesus’ days are absorbing the words of God like a sponge. They feel good when they hear of a God who takes care of them and will never leave them. If nurture properly, these followers will never turn away from the Shepherd. As their relationship with the Shepherd strengthens, good works naturally flow out of them. They are warm and gentle people and desires relationships more than anything.

As Jesus ends with this final parable, he speaks about His kingship on earth where the kingdom of God would culminate. There will be a final judgment. They will be a separation of sheep and goats. The sheep invariably did something that they did not even realise (Matthew 25:37-40). That automatic natural flow of good deeds is borne out of a steady and close relationship with the Shepherd Jesus! Social gospel is not Jesus' intention here but He emphasises more of obedient servants whose adaptability and willingness speak volumes of their readiness to follow God.

Goats on the other hand, do not care at all. They live like there is no judgment and no repercussions for deeds left undone, needs left unmet when they were capable to fulfil. Eternal punishment reserve for these people is not because they did not do something, rather they refused to do and obey.

For those warm and gentle sheep who follow the Shepherd, the crowned King of all kings has this to say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).

Note: The Scriptures are clear that only those who genuinely believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God have eternal life (John 3:16, 5:24; Acts 2:21, 4:12)

Next: Parable of the Growing Seed
http://psbible.blogspot.com/2010/09/parable-of-growing-seed.html