Saturday, November 9, 2013

Parables And Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths

Luke 16:1-12  The parable of the unjust steward
When I first read those verses I confused by its message. I thought the story to be one of dishonesty. But as I read it a second time and study the New Testament institute manual I began to understand what the teaching meant. The passage from the manual explains it better than I could,
“It was not the steward’s dishonesty that was extolled; his prudence and foresight were commended, however; for while he misapplied his master’s substance, he gave relief to the debtors; and in so doing he did not exceed his legal powers, for he was still steward though he was morally guilty of malfeasance. The lesson may be summed up in this wise: Make such use of your wealth as shall insure you friends hereafter. Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefor!” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ,p. 464.)

Luke 16:19-31  The parable of the rich man and Lazarus
In those verses we learn truth about the spirit world, the place we all go after death to wait for the final judgement day. The parable explains how the spirit world was situated before Christ's visit, when he built a bridge between the paradise and prison so that His gospel could be preached to all. 

 
images from lds.org

 Luke 17:11-19  The Ten Lepers 
This account is a lesson about Gratitude.

video from lds.org

Luke 18:1-8  The parable of the unjust judge
The first verse in this parable explain what Jesus was trying to teach at that moment, "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men oughtaalways to bpray, and not to cfaint;"
Let us beware of the error of comparing his selfish action with the ways of God. Jesus did not indicate that as the wicked judge finally yielded to supplication so would God do; but He pointed out that if even such a being as this judge, who ‘feared not God, neither regarded man,’ would at last hear and grant the widow’s plea, no one should doubt that God, the Just and Merciful, will hear and answer. (New Testament Institute manual)

image from lds.org


Luke 18:9-14  The parable of the pharisee and the publican
Even though this parable mentions these two widely separated classes, pharisees and publicans, it is applicable to all men. We all need to be careful to not let pride abide in our hearts. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of humility, being Him the Son of God and going through all the pain while atoning for ours sins. 

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