Post #12 – As Reported From The Book Of Luke
BREAKING — Another report of The Healer healing on the Sabbath has been confirmed! Responding to the invitation from a prominent Pharisee to visit his home, Jesus of Nazareth, knowing full well the Pharisee’s kind gesture was a front for an opportunity to trap Jesus in wrongdoing, purposefully healed a man with swelling in his body.
Jesus The Healer – Teacher – Son of Man, is not one to be intimidated!
His Parables Enlighten.
Jesus offered two parables at the dinner. Both significantly illuminate better ways to acknowledge God’s Kingdom. For the first, Jesus points out “…all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” He stated this after noticing the status seekers’ highly select seats at the dinner table.
He then made a specific point to the host, after astutely noticing the dinner was exclusive . “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
The Teacher’s second parable regards preparedness. Likening God’s Kingdom to being invited to a great banquet, Jesus explained victory is only won if we go when the invitation is extended. Offering excuses or delaying acceptance of God means when we finally do go knock on His door, He will not know us.
Following Jesus Means Commitment.
Drawing large crowds while still on the move, Jesus specified dedication is needed by true believers to follow Him. Specifically He included: “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Locals understand convicted criminals are forced to carry their own cross, a form of submission, if they are to be crucified. Jesus, in regards to His aforementioned quote, undeniably requires followers to put Him (Jesus) before themselves.
On a side note, this form of commitment will no doubt be critical to the ever increasing number of Christ followers.
Sinners And Tax Collectors Love Jesus.
Persistent with their previously noted actions, Pharisees continue to criticize The Savior. Critics reveal Pharisees avoid anyone found in the area to be “unclean.” It is Jesus, as displayed by His unparalleled loving actions, who goes against the grain of Pharisee law and reaches out to the unwanted.
In regards to this matter, Jesus offered another parable. The Teacher proclaimed the joy of finding the one lost sheep from among a herd of one hundred. In His own words Jesus concluded His story with: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
In fact, the matter is so important to the Son of Man, He continued with another parable pertaining to the same premise. This time describing the loss of a single silver coin from a collection of ten. Again, He likened the rejoicing of finding that single coin to the rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.
Ever Still The Visionary.
In order to share His lesson regarding the importance of repentance from another angle, Jesus continued His current teaching topic with a third parable. This time the headlining characteristic is a man with two sons. The younger son requests and receives his share of the family fortune then quickly leaves home. All the while residents reveal the eldest son diligently helps his father with their remaining estate.
Amid talk the younger squandered his fortune on prostitutes, he eventually returns with the hope of becoming a hired servant for his father. Instead, actions reveal the father is filled with compassion while greeting his son, and the son replies ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
While this descriptive scene continued to anger the elder son, house servants were instructed to properly adorn the younger son with clothing and jewelry and to kill the fattened calf for a feast. Again, The Teacher points out the reasoning behind the loving father’s actions and the core reason for the parable:
In short, Jesus The Healer – Teacher – Son of Man, provided knowledge for all who had ears to hear that heaven celebrates each time the lost are found.
Updated briefings of Jesus’ travels to Jerusalem will continue March 16. Stay informed!
Lift Him Up 
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