Parables | KOINONIA ART

Jesus told the story of a father who had 2 sons. He said to one, go work in my vineyard. That one said “I will not”, but later he went and did the work.

The man had said the same to the other “Go work in my vineyard”; and that one had replied “Yes Sir, I will”, but he did not go.

Jesus then asked those whom He was talking to “Which do you think was the better son?”, and they answered rightly – forget what each son said, the one who did the father’s will – was the better one.

Jesus then told those to whom he was talking; those who ruled and who had the people’s ear – congress and the media, or the pharisees and the sadducees, that the prophets of the Lord, or John; came and showed the way of righteousness and those regarded as sinners – prostitutes and tax collectors believed him and stood with the church, but they after they had heard, still refused to believe and carried on with their ways.

He then told another parable and ended it by referring to a stone which the builders rejected, which had become the chief of the corner.

This is a parable to a nation where those don’t say what you want to hear but do what is right are rejected over those who say what you want to hear but do what is left.

We hope someone is listening. It is well.

Ebele UzoPeters

St. Matthew 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.

St. Matthew 13:46: “When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

In the Bible days, Pearls were very precious commodity. They were rare and quite expensive.

The Pearl is remarkably because,

A. It is durable. Other gems may rust away, but the Pearl stays. Other gems may lose their beauty as they get older, but the Pearl never loses any single of its glitters. Hence, in the ancient days, of was passed on from a royal generation to another generation. It never fades, never gets worn out.

B. It is little in size, but great in worth. The Pearl can be the tiniest object on your palm. It can be impercitible. Yet, it is of great worth. It’s worth is not in the size, its worth is in the quality of beauty and virtue it emanates.

C. A Pearl of great size brings wealth to you. A merchant could discover a pearl in his farm, and at the moment of discovery, take it to sell, and becomes a wealthy man over night.

What lessons do we learn from these?

1. Salvation is of a great value. Yes. It is the greatest gift you can ever possess. Your salvation is worth more than the biggest of buildings. Do you know what it cost God? It cost God His own son. The salvation of your soul is worth more than pearls and dollars and pounds and gold. It is worth more than all these things.

And so you must seek for it. Just like the man in the parable sought for it. And even after getting born again, you must keep working out your salvation.

In order to get this perfect salvation which we desire, you must sell all that you have. Not your material possessions. Not your skills and talents. You must give away your sins. Your pride. Your impenitence. Your hate and malice.

You must let them go, if you must procure the great Pearl of salvation.

Salvation is an exchange. It is the letting go of the lower to purchase the higher. It is the letting go of the Earthly, to procure that which is Heavenly. It is letting go of the sensuality and carnality, to procure the treasures of the spirit. It is letting go of the temporal, to procure that which is permanent. It is letting go of your burdens, to carry His yoke which is light and gentle.

There is no salvation without an exchange. You cannot obtain the Great salvation of being united to the Lord in flesh, if you cannot sell off your earthly lusts that stand between you and God.

This Great salvation is costly! You must be ready to let go of your positions and stature in the society to procure it at the last day.

Hebrews 12:1: ‘Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles’

There must be a throwing off, for there to be an obtaining. Let go of those besetting and entangling sins. Cut them off and sell them at the market of life.

You must sell off,
Your sins,
Your old worldly friends,
Your worldly habits,
Your self righteousness.

And choose to hold unto this great Pearl of salvation.

And here’s another thing, once procured, it never fades away.

This great Pearl was present with Stephen when he was being stoned to death. It was present with James when he was beheaded. It was present with Paul from the prison, to trial to judgment.

It never goes old. It stays with you, till you go and meet your Master.

I’ll conclude with this excerpt from a profound teacher of God’s word;

“When the pilgrims were in Vanity Fair, one chanced mockingly to say to them. “What will ye buy? “ But they, looking gravely on him, said, “We buy the truth.” At that there was occasion taken to despite them the more; some mocking, some taunting, and some calling upon others to smite them. Nevertheless, in spite of all the abuse, these good pilgrims would only buy the truth; and when they bought it, not for any price would they sell it again. Usually, in ordinary merchandize, what we buy we are at liberty to sell; but it is not so here, for the command is express, “Buy the truth, and sell it not.” And a most merciful provision it is; for, as one says, “Those who sell the truth sell their own souls with it.”

(Robert Macdonald.)

God Bless You 🙂