YES, HE is Talking to YOU! (continued)
Love is the Fulfilling of the Law
In yesterday’s post we reviewed six of the more recent parables that we have commented on. This makes eleven parables discussed and then reviewed and today we will cover the last two of the first thirteen covered. We will then look at some additional parables and at some gospel stories which are not considered as parables by those who make lists but which meet the criteria as we see it; stories based on actual events that have a spiritual meaning hidden within them. This simple criteria can cover a good part of the teaching in the gospels and will include much that is not readily read as a spiritual message from the Master. The first example of this is the Story of Zacchaeus which is generally seen only as the event that it is in the ministry of Jesus but which, like a parable, contains a message for all who can read and hear it. First, let us finish our review:
- Parable of the Faithful Servant. The simple message here is “Take ye heed, watch and pray” and then also “Be ye therefore ready also” from the variations of this parable which appears in each of the synoptic gospels. But what are we watching for? What are we to be ready for? This is answered by the commentaries and by the churches as watching for and waiting for the end times and for the second coming of the Christ. This thought is the one that comes to us as we read because that is basically what it says and, since we do not know the time, we are to be ready at all times. What then is it to be ready? To be doing His word, living in His word at any given time throughout our lifetime. Being ready is then doing what is required to be in the Kingdom of God now and includes the essence of these sayings by the Master:
“Repent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17)
“That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
“Except ye be converted , and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdomof heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
“No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back , is fit for the kingdomof God. (Luke 9:62).We should get the proper understanding from these sayings and there are many many more. We must remember that Jesus also teaches us that the Kingdom of God is within us and we should see, through His teaching, that the Kingdom is a place where we all should be here and now while we are still in this life. This brings us to the point of our review of this parable. There is likely and end time but we know not when this will be and how it will happen nor do we know or understand the sequence of events; anyone saying that they do is only deluding themselves and others. For this event, should something happen in our lifetime, we should be ever ready; this is the teaching in this parable. But there is more here that does not rely on the end time and that is our own end, our own passing from this world to the next. Depending on what and how one believes our own death could be as that catastrophic end that we see here in this parable. For us however, if we are living our lives as aspiring disciples of the Master, we should see the end of this life as a triumphant return; because we are already in the Kingdom. There are yet millions upon millions who exist somewhere outside of the Master’s teachings on the Kingdom of God and for these this parable should be their call to righteousness and it is here that the be ready and the watch and pray are most important. Just as we do not know the end time, we also do not know our own end. There is a bonus for us in the Luke’s version and that is the teaching that not only should we be ready but also that we should understand that because we know we are made the more responsible for our destiny and that from us the more is required. The overall message is the same whether we believe that this parable is intended only for the end time or if we believe that it can also mean our own end and that is message, from a spiritual perspective, that we live every day as though it is our last. - The Parable of the Talents or Minas. This is the last parable that we covered before the review and there is yet some more that we can say about it. We posited that there are two distinct audiences for this set of similar but different stories. It matters not whether they belong together or are considered as separate; it is the message that needs to come through. In the one version there are ten who get a pound each, an equal amount with which to carry on the nobleman’s business; the rest of his citizens all dislike him. These citizens can be seen as the population of the place ruled by the nobleman and the ten seen as either examples or those selected to carry on the ruler’s business. One excel’s, one does well and the last does nothing in the example given by Jesus and we know not what happened to the rest of the ten. For our purposes we likened this to men in the world today; the Soul or the Christ Within is the nobleman or the ruler and the personality life is the servant given charge to carry on. We can consider the ten among those who heed the voice of the ruler, of the Soul and do carry on and we can consider the rest of the citizens as those who either do not hear or do not listen. This is the journey of the average man in life. Of the ten we have the example of three and two with success. These two have the reward of the commendation of the ruler, the Soul, as well as that which they have added to what they were originally given and then too, they are given additional responsibility. All this bears out the sayings of the Master “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance” (Matthew 25:29) and also “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). How so? Those hearing the call of the Soul are given some resource to work with and with it they make more and thereby have more. Using what they have in Love and Wisdom and Understanding and Righteousness they are able to bring more of this Light into their conscious lives. Now, with this additional resource they come under the idea that they are given much; they now have much, and of them now is more required. Simply, as we grow in the Kingdom of God we are accorded more responsibility as His servants until we could be considered true disciples of the Master. This brings us to the second audience which we will call ‘chosen followers‘; here the dynamics are the same. Based on their status, of the three in this version are given varying amounts “to every man according to his several ability” (Matthew 25:15). They have entered into this relationship with the Lord through their own Souls, their Inner Man, and they began this journey as did the average citizen. They are entering into a never ending upward spiral where: we have, we gain more and then are accorded more responsibility. Again, this is the spiritual journey of man. In this example given by Jesus we have those who have already made it past the role of the average man and here he finds himself in a truer relationship with the Lord; that of an aspiring disciple. What of those who gain nothing? We must liken them to those who know but do not do. They are those “which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes” (Luke 12:35) and though they are not in reality beaten the analogy is good in that they lose what they did have according to His saying “but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath“. In communion with our own Inner Man, our Christ Within, we are given tools to use to further ourselves and the Kingdom; using these we garner more and with more, more responsibility and more need to use all we have. This is by law and commandment but it is also by our own desire to serve. It is only when we sense that desire and turn away from it that we find difficulty and we will find ourselves forever starting over. There is no punishment save lack of progress in this life and lack of the Presence of God; there is Great Reward!
Our next parable is not a classified as a parable but is real life action story from the life of the Master Jesus. Behind this story is a real life lesson and guidance for us all and so we are looking at this as if it were a parable. The story goes thus: “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up , and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him , This day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:1-10).
Again there is the story that we read and a surface meaning to it. We have Zacchaeus, a rich publican, who is considered by the Jews as a sinner. Vincent says of Zacchaeus that he was of superior rank and presided over the collection of revenue in Jericho****. Vincent tells us of publicans in general that they were often chosen from the dregs of the people, and were so notorious for their extortions that they were habitually included in the same category with harlots and sinners****. It is of these type people that Zacchaeus is the chief, being of superior rank so he his not only a publican but the chief of the publicans; we can assume there is not much lower to go. So “he sought to see Jesus who he was” and Vincent tells us of this phrase that it should be seen as ‘he was busy seeking to see which one of the crowd he was‘ from which we should get the idea that he knew who Jesus was and was seeking to see him. This understanding is important so that we see that this man heard of and knew of Jesus and was so intent on seeing Him that he climbed into a tree. Remember here this mans position and how other saw him; and also put into this picture the meaning of the name Zacchaeus which is the just****.
Now comes the Master and, lo and behold, He knows Zacchaeus by name. He calls him by name and arranges to stay with the publican at his home. Though we have no way of knowing, it is most likely that these two had never met and we should see in this the idea of purpose on the Master’s part. Now the normal thing seen here is that Jesus again dines with a sinner and the message becomes that “the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost“. This is a good message for us to see and we should also note that there was in Zacchaeus true repentance and a new found spirit of giving and to make amends for all he had done wrong. This is a life change for Zacchaeus and although the story ends here, we must assume that he is no longer the chief among the publicans. Is this the purpose of this encounter, to show us this lesson on forgiveness and repentance? or is there more.
Let us look at this Zacchaeus as, again, everyman; but in this case everyman that feels and hears the call of the Christ Within. Now Zacchaeus is looking for the Lord; knowing that He is approaching and trying to see Him clearer and to feel more of His presence. Zacchaeus, as everyman, finally sees the Lord and the Lord, the Soul, the Christ Within, sees him and reaches out to him saying that “for to day I must abide at thy house“. Zacchaeus is overjoyed and invites the Master in. The Soul and the personality consciousness are now face to face. The sense of joy and of peace from being in His Presence overwhelms the personality and true repentance ensues. Zacchaeus, everyman, gives willingly half his goods to the poor in an outreach of brotherhood and compassion and Love and He makes restitution to all he had ever hurt. This is the story of Zacchaeus, of everyman, who hears the call had heeds it. This is being born again.
Note on the Quote of the Day
This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment.
We are leaving yesterday’s Quote of the Day again for today. Like Zacchaeus, we hear the counsel of our Souls, of the Lord and in this counsel we overcome the wiles of the flesh, the devices in a man’s heart. In this counsel of the Lord we find peace and joy and it will make our latter end, our remaining days, full of wisdom and Love.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand (Proverbs 19:20-21).
-
**** Word Studies in the New Testament; Marvin R Vincent D.D. 2nd edition, 1888
