This is Day 3 of Doing Things a Little Differently Week. If you are here looking for a bedroom makeover--please check back Monday! Boy, oh boy, do I have some FUN pictures to show you! I am finishing up the big 10th Birthday Bedroom Makeover, and it is looking good.
If you're here looking for a cheap laugh or two...check back...because I thrive on laughter--cheap, or hard-earned.
This week, in honor of Easter, I am spending some time reflecting on Jesus' last week before his crucifixion and resurrection. Hopefully, I am preparing my heart to be changed during this Holy Week.
Day 3 - Tell Stories and Ask Questions
Jesus made his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Day 1. He cleansed the Temple of the dishonest moneychangers on Day 2. On Day 3, Jesus actually enters the Temple and spends the day telling Parables, asking questions, and quoting scripture.
Day 3 covers a lot of ground, chapter-wise. Matthew records Day 3 from Matthew 21:18 - Matthew 26:16. This day, Jesus tells the crowd of Jews in the Temple 6 different Parables. Also in attendance this day were the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were trying to trap Jesus in his words.
I just LOVE how Jesus answers the Pharisees' and Sadducees' wily questions--He answers them with questions they are not able to answer, and He answers them with scripture, which they are not able to refute. How perfect! (obviously!!)
Besides all of the wonderful content of Jesus' Parables, I glean 3 practical applications from Jesus' actions on Day 3:
1. Jesus tells stories to illustrate His point.
Don't you love that we have a God kind enough not just to make lists and lists of "Do's" and "Don'ts?" He gives us stories, which engage us enough to learn the point. His stories are rich, and full of meaning...much of which His followers did not fully grasp until after His death and resurrection.
2. Jesus asks questions
The Pharisees sure were trying to entrap Jesus with their questions of Him. Little did they know whom they were up against! Jesus answers some of these questions with questions--which they were unable to answer. I love these questions of His--like,
"I will ask you one thing too, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?"
and
"Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax... Whose likeness and inscription is this?...Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."
3. Jesus answers the entrapping questions with scripture
All through Day 3 when the Pharisees and Sadducees are trying to trick Jesus, He answers them with some of their "own medicine"--the scriptures they are so fond of quoting. They know they cannot argue the scripture He is quoting. They are stuck trying to find other ways to trick Him.
These 3 practical applications are such good tools for me to use...
I can't think of anything more powerful to prove a point than a true story from my own life. I need to be more in the habit of sharing with others the amazing things God has done for me. I need to share these stories more often with our daughters. I know I always feel encouraged when I hear of someone else's story of faith. I need to share mine more often. Every time I tell someone one of my stories, I end up being encouraged all over again!
I also need to remember the power of a question. It's okay to ask questions that have answers, too. Nothing can get to the heart of a matter quicker than a well-placed question.
And, finally, I need to know the scriptures better. If I am to use scripture in my conversation, I need to spend time reading the Bible, and spend time memorizing important verses. Because I want our daughters to know the Truth of scripture, I have framed verses all over our house. Hopefully, through the years of living around these verses, the Words will sink deep into their hearts and minds.
Enough from me...I'd love to hear from YOU!
How have you successfully used any of these 3 practical tools?
Any tips?
Do you have a favorite Parable?
