In this study of the Parables of Jesus, we are reading many of the stories Jesus used to teach hearers about how to live as His followers. Each day we’ll read parables in their immediate context, focusing on a different category of parables each week. Then we will work through a series of questions to understand the meaning of the text and take to heart the “secrets of the kingdom.”
Editor’s Note: In this Parables study, Jesus Himself is telling us stories—stories He wants us to reflect on and process. Rather than asking our writers to write their own stories about Jesus’ stories, we thought it would serve you and the text better to provide questions to help you dig into the meaning of each day’s parable. If you find a parable or passage particularly confusing, stop and pray. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you in His Word, and thank Him that we can know Him without knowing all the answers to our questions.
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Week 2: Parables about Repentance and Grace
Stories about other people often reveal things to us about ourselves. This week’s selection of parables all deal with themes of repentance and grace, and in them we see that Jesus meant for His parables to stir the hearts of His hearers. As you read, let these parables serve as a kind of mirror, and ask what Jesus is showing you that you might not have otherwise seen. Use the questions below to help.
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Day 9 Reading: Luke 13:22-35, Matthew 7:13-23
Questions:
1. In several places in the Gospels, including today’s reading, Jesus says the last will be first and the first will be last. What does this mean?
2. What problem is Jesus’ parable, The Narrow Way, responding to, and what is the parable’s outcome?
3. What is the central point of this parable?
4. What is your response to this parable?
The thought that came to me was about the second part of the reading similar to one of the days earlier. I’d like to imagine the tree. An almost dead tree, one that bears bad fruits, branches falling off because of malnutrition, etc. Then a farmer goes out, prunes the deadness off of it, taking down all the bad fruit and dead branches, adding strings and supports, buying fertilizer and plant food and caring for it, day after day, he waters it… slowly green starts to sprout out, hints of a new life come about, small tiny fruits, bitter at first show up… he keeps pruning and nurturing… more fruits, good fruits, more watering, more plant food… more good fruit. Who revived the dead plant? It or the farmer? Who gets to show it off as the almost dead but now alive and giving off choice fruit?
I thought this way to say that we can’t make ourselves good or force ourselves into goodness, we can try. The difference between self-help and God-help is his power. His nutrients, the word, is transformative. It’s the only outcome possible from a relationship with the farmer. God’s power and spirit brings about good fruit, our efforts are expentionally multiplied because he, the farmer, is taking care of us.
CONVICTION!!!! Convicted. Lord. Whoa.
It is frightening to think about how easy it can be to disillusion ourselves into believing our comfortableness and often complacent faith will lead to salvation. As good and faithful as we try to portray ourselves, this is not always reflective of what’s inside, but eventually the mask can no longer be held and the truth of our inner state is revealed. Yes, the Christian walk that leads to bearing good fruit is difficult, uncomfortable, and counterculture, but he results and the God waiting for us are worth it. When I think about this a question come to my mind. Which is scarier: doing the hard heart work God asks me to do I enter deeper relationship with Him and allow Him to refine me or hearing the Lord proclaim that He never knew me because I didn’t really invest? I can say for certain the last option is scarier. I want to do the work now with God molding and supporting me. I want my life to reflect the good fruit that only the life source connection with God can produce. And one day I want to rejoice as He returns for me and lovingly claims me as His own!
Thank you for posting this Erica! Great insight and I completely agree. This parable really sheds light on how we should be living as Christians. It is a difficult road but we have a great God who is always there for us and lead us if we fix our eyes on Him.
“It is frightening to think about how easy it can be to disillusion ourselves into believing our comfortableness and often complacent faith will lead to salvation.”
Erica, I’m new to believing in God and accepting Christ as my savior. Forgive me if I sound ignorant but I’m still very much in the learning process. Still learning things that may seem second nature to those more seasoned in the gospel.
I feel over the short time I’ve been studying I’ve received mixed messages as to how one is saved. What you wrote that I highlighted above is one I want to understand more fully. Are we not saved by accepting our savior as the redeemer and by grace alone? It was my understanding that no matter how imperfect we are and how many “masks” we wear that as long as we accept Christ as having paid for our sins and we continue to repent we are given the gift of salvation. Must we do good works to be accepted by God? I guess my fear is that my humanness won’t be enough as I’m so very far from perfect!
I’m certainly not trying to get a free pass to heaven by doing nothing I promise! Ha! I’m just confused as to what “the good news” is and what it encompasses I guess.
Your words are inspiring and I would just love your input and perhaps help me clear up my confusion. XoXo
Shannon, I have been saved a long time and your questions are still valid for me. We are saved by grace, but then we are expected to serve God–that is the “works” part. “Serving” looks different for each of us. What you do to serve is between you and God, and it will change and grow over time. For example, some women serve God by staying home with their children. Other women serve by being in the work place outside the home and helping others by being a good friend and praying for others even if they don’t know it. Many of us do all of the above. Personally, I am a quiet Christian. For a long time I felt guilty about not “witnessing” with words to others, but now as a counselor candidate at a Christian seminary, I understand that my calling is more for listening to others, coming alongside them for a time to support them on their journeys closer to God. Being a good example is also very powerful if you’re shy or not called to overt service. So, dear Shannon, please do not feel there is a one-size-fits-all way to serve. Again, it’s between you and God. I take what Erica said as a great reminder that once we are given the gift of Salvation by grace, we need to give back to God through how we live our lives. Start by asking God through the Spirit to give you little nudges toward and away from how you are spending your life. He will guide you. If you fear making “mistakes” just move ahead, God will show you how to tweak things as you go. Keep in mind that He does NOT waste layers of our lives. Everything comes together for His good if you trust him–even things that you did or that happened to you before you became a Christian.
Bonnie, I read this first thing this morning and so appreciate you replying! I took a screenshot of your words because they are good ones to remember. One thing I’ve learned about God in the short time I’ve been on this journey is that He most certainly works through us to help others. I believe this is one of those occasions. Lots of love!
Hi Shannon, I just saw your questions and I don’t know if someone has already answered, but I don’t want them to go unanswered. Yes we are saved by grace alone, but James said that faith without works is dead. I think that’s where complacency comes in. Faith is like being in a boat. You’re out on the water, so your sailing (saved by grace), but if you’re not rowing, your not getting anywhere (heart work that produces fruit), and if you don’t maintain the boat it can get rundown (complacency, walking away from God). We are saved by grace and speaking with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and we believe what He did on the cross for us, we are not meant to live like our salvation depends on us. But because of what He did, I want to spend my life doing His work, and that helps me and the kingdom (I hope anyway!). I want to live my life as an act of worship to Him. I hope this helps. I hope you find lots of people near and far who will encourage you in your relationship with God! Peace be with you, sister.
Emily thank you for your response! I have been a Christian basically my whole life. After reading this
After reading this…. I found my self asking the same question as Shannon. I have forgotten that faith without works is dead. I’m reminded I need to put in the work to strengthen my faith and work to know God fully. I have spent too much of my life in complacency. I don’t believe our salvation can be taken from us, but I do believe our life on earth will be more worth it/ and more rewarding in heaven if we work for it (in a sense).
This parable is more important now than ever. So many churches have become false prophets for the sake of blending in with the world, and they are leading heir flock down the wide path to destruction. My pastor told us last week that in his prayer God has told him he is leading the church back to tradition. The ancient traditions of the churches in Jesus’s time. Anointing with oil, gathering in small groups, etc. I was so relieved to hear this during a week when a very famous pastor got national attention for sharing his very worldly opinion. Ayayay. Jesus Jesus Jesus draw near to your church. When the time comes, I want to be known by God. And at times I know that I exercise more selfishness than humbleness, which is not hard to do I today’s society. Jesus I pray that in everything I do that I would consciously be humble and grateful in your eyes and in the eyes of my peers. God cast out on me any selfish or evil behavior that does not glorify you!!! Happy thanksgiving sisters in Christ! I pray that’s above all you are blessed with comfort, peace, and you are fulfilled and satisfied with Jesus alone!
Luke13: 22 “Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, ALWAYS pressing on toward Jerusalem.” (NLT, emphasis mine)
Is there a more narrow door than the one Jesus went through? Even when he knew what awaited him, he continually pressed onward in the mission God had given him.
In all I do, may I be godly rather than religious. May I press on toward God and serving His kingdom regardless of knowing what lies ahead (or not knowing what lies ahead!). That as I walk the narrow road, I would return immediately when I stumble off of it into the thorns. That I would prune, water and nurture my walk to produce the good fruit of the Kingdom. That my life would honor the one who gave me Life. In Jesus name – Amen
Amen! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :D I will pray the same prayer as well.
Amen!
Love your prayer! Exactly what I needed to hear. Bless you!
Amen.
My son just came in as I’m finishing up this devotion. He asked what it was about. I shared with him that I remember when I was his age and being taught this very lesson. I am so glad that he knows that we all must enter through the narrow gate. Happy Thanksgiving to you all dear sisters! I am so thankful for all of you and all your support and prayers especially since I came out and finally voiced what’s been going on in my life the last four months. A couple of days ago a friend of mine texted and said that she’s been encouraged how strong I’ve been through all this. I take no credit. It’s all God. It’s all you my sisters holding me up and praying for me. It’s my mom, my best friend, all the Godly women around me lifted me up. I am not walking this journey alone. I am so thankful! God is good!
I feel you, Laura! It is alarming to read those words, because I think most of us question if we are doing enough or being enough to actually be included in the “few” that the scripture references.. truth is we could never do enough or be enough.. it is through “faith” in His work that saves and yes we are to respond and live in a way that shows (fruit) that we belong to Him.. and that does require us caring about how we live.. seeking Him with our whole hearts.. abiding in Him.. I don’t think we do all these actions because we fear not being included in the “few” these actions are a natural manifestation of salvation.. a saved life produces a fruitful life because the Spirit of God takes up residence in a regenerated soul and the Spirit is alive and working in and through the saved life.. all this to say, I don’t think we ever “feel” saved so we have to walk by faith “knowing” we are saved because God said to all those who call Him Lord to them He gave eternal life.. (paraphrased)
Laura, we believe, we trust His blood has given us life eternal, we’ve agreed with Him that we are sinners in dire need of a Savior who is named Jesus.. we are the few.. we are on the narrow path. Be blessed friend, you belong to Jesus, your name is written in the lambs book of life.
Diane, thank you so much for these comforting words. This has long been a passage I’ve struggled with and feared. Your words have soothed that fear and given me peace. Jesus’ peace.
Entering the “Narrow Gate” seems discouraging upon first reading, but I’ve come to look at it like this:
“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. . .”
I see this as when we lean on our own understanding, our own idea of fairness or right versus wrong, and act accordingly, tacking God’s name to the front of it. This isn’t following God — it’s following ourselves.
“. . . the one who does the will of my father. . .” (Matt. 7:21) enters the kingdom of heaven.
Actively seeking God’s guidance and following that gut-wrenching feeling when we know we need to do something, but really don’t want to. At least for me, this is following God’s will. It is difficult, and means setting our own understanding aside in favor of the truth.
Maybe it means not focusing so much on “Christian” laws that everyone needs to follow — because that is legalism, not seeking God’s will. Maybe it means taking the guidelines that the Bible sets for our lives more seriously. I think following Christ will most likely look different among each believer, but will consistently have the common thread of seeking heavenly wisdom above earthly understanding. Thoughts on this are welcome and appreciated!
Love this! I agree completely.
I also really like these thoughts!