He had gone too far this time. As if all the lies, deceit, and swindling of money from family and friends were not enough, this time Bill had burglarized our parents’ house. My brother had brazenly stolen anything of pawnshop value, leaving behind a trail of fingerprints and one key piece of evidence: unforced entry […]
The Parable of the Priceless Pearl
Scripture: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.] Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, Jesus speaks directly to his disciples and raises the bar. First, he […]
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Scripture: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.] Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, reemphasizing the key points of the Parable of the Mustard […]
The Parable of the Leaven
Scripture: He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” Matthew 13:33 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.] Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven’s growth to that of the smallest known seed in ancient […]
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Scripture: He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds […]
The Parable of the Weeds
Scripture: He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared […]
The Parables’ Purpose
Scripture: Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he […]
