JESUS, the Storyteller (22)

In Section Four, we lean in to hear

JESUS

the Storyteller

on a not so popular topic or at least one

we hope to not have to deal with 

"The Divine Auditor"

19. The Seed Sower 5/7 20. The Best Boss    5/14 21. The Eye Opener 5/21 22. The Divine Auditor 5/28 23. A Better Financial Planner 6/4 24. The God of Tomorrow        6/11 25. The Life of the Party          6/18 26. A Hospitable Host              6/25 27. The Object of Our Worship7/2 28. The Grace Giver                7/9 29. Discerner of the Heart       7/16 30. A Divine Divider                 7/23

A couple of weeks ago, I began somewhat of a challenge for you, as the reader, to guess which Parable you think James Merritt will be using in the devotional according to the title that he's chosen & given to this week's Story that JESUS, the Storyteller is sharing when the author gives us the title:

"The Divine Auditor"

Last week, I narrowed down your choices to the Book of Luke to help you out and also to broaden your knowledge of the Parables that were told in the Book of Luke. This week, I am sharing the Parables in the Book of Matthew so that you can choose from this list for this week's Chapter. 

Parables of JESUS in the Book of Matthew

 

1. Parable of the Lamp - Matthew 5:14-16 2. Parable of the Speck and The Log - Matthew 7:1-5 3. Parable of New Cloth on Old Garment - Matthew 9:16-17 4. Parable of The Divided Kingdom - Matthew 12:24-30 5. Parable of The Sower - Matthew 13:1-23 6. Parable of The Weeds Among the Wheat - Matthew 13:24-30 7. Parable of The Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:31-32 8. Parable of The Leaven - Matthew 13:33-34 9. Parable of Hidden Treasure - Matthew 13:44 10.Parable of Pearl of Great Price - Matthew 13:45-46 11.Parable of The Net - Matthew 13:47-50 12.Parable of The Heart of Man - Matthew 15:10-20 13.Parable of The Lost Sheep - Matthew 18:10-14 14.Parable of The Unforgiving Servant - Matthew 18:23-35 15.Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16 16.Parable of The Two Sons - Matthew 21:28-32 17.Parable of The Tenant Farmers - Matthew 21:33-45 18.Parable of the Marriage Feast - Matthew 22:1-14 19.Parable of The Budding Fig Tree - Matthew 24:32-35 20.Parable of Faithful vs. Wicked Servant - Matthew 24:45-51 21.Parable of The Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13 22.Parable of Ten Talents - Matthew 25:14-30

Now once again before you read on, I am asking you to stop & make a choice of which Parableyou think this one is and go to the comments to put in your choice to go with
#22. The Divine Auditor

before I continue

CHOOSE & COMMENT

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The Book of Matthew, the Gospel written by the apostle Matthew (the Levi), a former tax collector, makes sense that this Parable of The Divine Auditor would be one from Matthew, one of the 12 disciples. It fits - tax with audit, right. Hopefully, you've never had to go through an audit on your taxes. The original audience may have been the church in Antioch, Syria. Its members included Jewish and Gentile Christians. Matthew was probably a Jew of the tribe of Levi. Matthew was not the first disciple chosen by Jesus and he shares his story in Matthew 9.

The Gospel (Book) of Matthew was believed to be the first Gospel written, though we now know Mark dates earlier. Matthew's Gospel comes first because it most intensely is concerned with issues related to Judaism - it is a good bridge between the Old & the New Testament after 400 years. Then, as now, there needs to be a bridge between Christians & Jewish as we learn much from the Jewish tradition & Jews that have become Christians. Our minds and hearts definitely need to be more open and accepting of others. JESUS, as the Servant-Messiah and Son of God, represents the nation of Israel. There is no better author to begin telling us the Story - and His Story. But for this week with JESUS, the Storyteller, we will be looking at: 

 

#22. The Divine Auditor

(no one is a better Divine choice than JESUS, as Auditor)

since none of us really want to be audited, He would be the most fair

and my first choice.

as we continue & read the following

Scriptures:

Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16

Clearly with the list of Parables in Matthew, this parable had to do with finances, so that helped to limit your choice but if you had the Scripture reference above,you can easily select the correct choice.
These are the subtitle/segments for this week:

"A Kingdom Melody"; "A God-Given Opportunity to Play Our Parts"; "A God-Given Responsibility to Play Our Parts"; "A God-Given Accountability to Play Our Parts"; "Every Player Matters"

As you can see we have been given by God the
Opportunity
Responsibility
and
Accountability
to do/play our parts
EVERY.ONE.OF.US
MATTER
and
MUST
in God's Kingdom
"... JESUS told this Parable about People playing their parts and how important that is to the Church and to God's Kingdom. Not everyone plays the same instrument and not everyone has the same part. ... It's not how much you have that matters to Jesus; it's what you do with what you have that matters to Him."

"Lord, teach me to be a good steward of the talents You've given to me. Grant me the wisdom to use them wisely and the courage to share them freely."

Reflect on what the particular "talents'' are that God has entrusted only to you
- gifts, resources, treasures, abilities.
Now let's 
PLAY OUR PARTS
DO our PART
just as
JESUS
did
HIS
🕇🕆🕈
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JESUS, the Storyteller (21)

In Section Four, we encounter

JESUS

the Storyteller

19. The Seed Sower 5/7 20. The Best Boss    5/14 21. The Eye Opener 5/21 22. The Divine Auditor 5/28 23. A Better Financial Planner 6/4 24. The God of Tomorrow        6/11 25. The Life of the Party          6/18 26. A Hospitable Host              6/25 27. The Object of Our Worship7/2 28. The Grace Giver                7/9 29. Discerner of the Heart       7/16 30. A Divine Divider                 7/23

Since last week I began giving you an opportunity to make a guess in the comments as to which Parable James Merritt will be sharing in this week's devotional, based on the unique title he's chosen; I decided that I would help you out a little by giving you a list of Parables.

This week, I am listing the Parables given in the Book of Luke for you to make your choice:

1.Parable of The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:29-37 2.Parable of The Friend at Midnight - Luke 11:5-13 3.Parable of The Rich Fool - Luke 12:13-21 4.Parable of The Barren Fig Tree - Luke 13:6-9 5.Parable of The Invited Guests - Luke 14:7-14 6.Parable of The Lost Coin - Luke 15:8-10 7.Parable of The Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32 8.Parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31 9.Parable of The Persistent Widow - Luke 18:1-8 10.Parable of The Pharisee and The Tax Collector - Luke 18:9-14

Those Parables are unique to the Book of Luke. Yet you might find similarities of the Story from the other Gospel writers that present JESUS, the Storyteller and these Parables.

So now look over that short list and make your choice of which Parable you think is:

#21. The Eye Opener

Now before reading or even glancing at the rest of this blog

stop, go to the comments, and share your guess

CHOOSE & COMMENT

I must admit, this one is a little difficult for me!

Often as I read God's Word, particularly the Parables

as JESUS, the Storyteller

brings a life lesson to me

through His Story

my

EYES

are

OPEN

and

His Word

becomes relevant to me today

and each of us can apply it to our own life

making it personal & part of our story too

His Story in our story

JESUS

alive & living

in us & through us

if only we allow Him & His Story to

change us

by not only

OPENING our EYES

but our ears and our hearts and our minds

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Have you ever had the experience of having your eyes opened?

Maybe not your physical eyes (but that too) however your mental or spiritual eyesight?

To have a better understanding or a fresh perspective

perhaps to see things differently from someone else's view?

Similar, to the idiomatic phrase (and Elvis' song & others):

"Walk a Mile in my Shoes"

before judging someone (commenting on social media, etc.)

you need to understand the other's experiences, challenges, thought processes, etc.

The Scriptures for this week for 

The Eye Opener

are

 

Luke 10:25-37; James 2:14-17; Luke 6:32-36; Colossians 3:12-17; Hebrews13:1-3

More than ever, this life lesson needs to be heard and applied in the time we live.
The devotional is broken down into the following segments with these subtitles:

"A Surprising Neighbor"; "A Trick Question"; "Friend in Need"; "Rationalize the Situation in Your Mind"; "Respond to the Situation with Your Heart"

As with most messages, lessons or knowledge;it needs to be understood as we listen and go from our heads to our hearts
When our eyes are opened, I pray our hearts are changed
OPEN to ACT
OPEN EYES - OPEN HANDS
OPEN to SERVE
OPEN to LOVE

"Lord, I admit that I am tempted to pass by those who suffer. Give me courage to recognize a "neighbor" in the face of those in need."

There are so many life lessons taught in this Parable needed today in our world.

"Understanding the ..... Parable"for some in-depth info
So many comparisons and applications for today.
Let JESUS be the EYE OPENER in your life.

Did you guess correctly?

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My new friend & author, Shirley Alarie has a wonderful Life Lesson on this Parable & others.You can learn so much more from her devotionals at Finding God Among Us.And she will be launching a book at the end of 2023 or in 2024 onPARABLES of JESUS - LIFE LESSONSCan't wait!
Shirley Alarieis an excellent Resource!
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I also found various reading plans on You Version!
I have chosen this one:
JESUS
Parables on Justice