SGTJ DEVOTIONAL

 THE PARABLES OF JESUS

Today's Scripture

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world. - Matthew 13:34-35. (NIV)

The parables of Jesus are more than just simple stories; they are profound lessons wrapped in everyday experiences. Through these parables, Jesus communicated deep spiritual truths in a way that was accessible to everyone, from scholars to common folk. Each parable is a window into the Kingdom of God, offering insights into how we should live, love, and relate to one another.

3 Important parables of Jesus:

1. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23)
In this parable, Jesus describes a sower who scatters seeds on different types of soil. The seeds represent the Word of God, and the various soils represent the conditions of human hearts. Some hearts are hardened, some are shallow, some are choked by worldly concerns, and some are receptive and fruitful. This parable challenges us to examine the condition of our own hearts and to strive to be like the good soil, ready to receive and nurture God's Word.

2. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
This well-known parable teaches us about love and compassion. When a man is beaten and left for dead, a priest and a Levite pass by without helping. But a Samaritan, considered an outsider, stops to help the man, showing mercy and kindness. Jesus uses this story to illustrate that our neighbor is anyone in need, and we are called to show love and compassion to all, regardless of their background or status.

3. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
In this parable, a young man demands his inheritance, leaves home, and squanders it in reckless living. When he hits rock bottom, he returns home, expecting to be treated as a servant. Instead, his father welcomes him with open arms and celebrates his return. This story highlights God's boundless grace and forgiveness, reminding us that no matter how far we stray, God is always ready to welcome us back with love and mercy.

Follow these steps to apply the parables of Jesus to your daily life

- Examine Your Heart:

Reflect on the Parable of the Sower. What kind of soil represents your heart? Are there areas where you need to be more receptive to God's Word?

- Show Compassion:

Like the Good Samaritan, look for opportunities to help those in need around you and/or always look for ways to show love and kindness to others.

- Embrace Forgiveness:

Remember the father's response in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? How can you extend grace to others as God has extended it to you?

Today's Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom and lessons found in the parables of Jesus. Help me to open my heart to Your Word, to show compassion to those around me and others, and to embrace Your forgiveness. May I live out these truths in my daily life, reflecting Your love and grace to the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Scriptures reading

These are 5 bible verses on some of the Parables of Jesus:

1- Matthew 13:34-35

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world. (NIV)

2- Matthew 13:3-9

3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

3- Matthew 18:23

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

4- Luke 10:25-37

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

 5- Luke 15:11-32

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

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