Parables Of Jesus

Part 8

 

Parables of Condemnation

The Waiting Servants, Luke 12:35-48. The blessedness of the faithful watching servants is a happiness that gives eternal contentment and satisfaction.  The “Watching” is active; it is not just keeping up appearances and awareness.  The watchmen (Christians) are to keep their waists wrapped up and prepare themselves to celebrate and serve. The only way to keep their lights burning was to keep a good supply of oil, like the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.  The idea of being prepared is seen in Paul’s picture of the Christian soldier to have his shoes (preparation) on and ready to go fight, (Ephesians 6:15). The way Jesus ends the explanation of the parable is to point out levels of punishment for the crime of laziness, cruelty and selfishness in the face of knowing it was wrong. For people who are without the knowledge of God’s law, love and coming judgment day, God’s punishment will be sure, but less strict in comparison to those who knew better. See James 3:1, for insight into the possibility of different levels of judgment, the strictest for erring teachers in the church, severe for the disobedient Christian, and less severe for the totally ignorant in the world. Remember Hell is prepared for the devil and his angels, not you (Matthew 25:41). He is preparing an inheritance for you, not punishment, (Matthew 25:34). God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but we can perish if we choose to not prepare ourselves for the judgment day.

The Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13. There are some citizens of the Kingdom acting very foolish and not ensuring they have oil for their lamps. Christians who do not grow the fruit of the Holy Spirit are in trouble, Galatians 5:21-23.  Christians who do not want to be filled with the Spirit are unwise, Ephesians 5:17-18. Oil may have an allusion to the Holy Spirit Himself, Exodus 30:22-33, Psalm 45:7 & Isaiah 61:3, 1st John 2:20-27. Acts 10:38 & Luke 4:18 is the only occurrence in the New Testament showing an anointment of the Holy Spirit, it is harmonious with the fact that Jesus had the Spirit without measure, John 3:34, being God with us in the flesh, John 1:1-2,14. Christians invite the Spirit into our hearts through obedient faith in baptism, Acts 2:38-39, Romans 6:1-7, 8:9-11. Let us continue to walk in the Spirit so we don’t run out of oil to keep the light of the world burning!  The only sure way to be ready on THE day, is that we be ready EVERY day.  Being unprepared on THE day is to be unprepared forever. The preparation we need to do now, left undone, cannot be hurried and huddled up together on the last day. There will be no 11th hour deliverance on the last day. The door will be shut to those who are out of oil.

The Richman and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31. This parable is factual, instead of fictional, like most parables.  It is written in true parabolic fashion, but its contents are in the realm of our inexperience with events past the grave, therefore, we must take it as reality in good faith. The condemnation Jesus points out here is this: For those who do not share their riches with the poor, you heap up punishment for yourself in Hell. The young rich ruler, who Jesus loved, was going to meet an agonizing end, if he didn’t quit loving his riches, Mark 10:20-27. Jesus treated the thief on the cross with more mercy, than the rich young ruler. The Bible is given to us, for our persuasion towards making us more charitable, for God is love. We should forgive as we have been forgiven, Ephesians 4:32.  Part of our preparation for the last day, is sacrificial obedience, laying up treasures in heaven, blessing God and helping Him prepare for us an eternal inheritance!