“Deliver Him to the Torturers” (Matthew 18:34)
Have you ever noticed how some of the parables of Jesus have strange, uncomfortable endings? Take the parable of the Unforgiving Slave (Matt. 18:23–35). It’s a story [...]
parables
The True Meaning of the Treasure and the Pearl (Matthew 13:44–46)
Maybe you are familiar with the parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl. In the first parable, a man uncovers a buried treasure in a field, hides it again, and then [...]
Who is the Good Samaritan, Really? (Luke 10:25–37)
Few parables have generated as much controversy as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus told this story to a lawyer who was asking questions about how to inherit eternal [...]
Out today – The Grace Bible: The Parables of Jesus
If you have been waiting for a grace-based guide that covers ALL the parables Jesus told, your wait is over. My latest book, The Grace Bible: The Parables of Jesus, has just [...]
3 Mistakes People Make When Reading the Parables of Jesus
The parables of Jesus have twists and turns that can leave you scratching your head. Why does Jesus say “Come as you are” in one parable but “Count the cost” in [...]
Why ‘Count the Cost’ Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means (Luke 14:28–30)
Reading the Bible through the lens of grace changes everything. Often I find myself reading familiar scriptures and thinking, “I never saw it this way before” or “Jesus [...]
The Parables of Grace
Have you ever noticed how Jesus said his yoke is easy and light, but sermons on his teachings often sound hard and heavy? Something doesn’t add up. Take his parables, for [...]
An Early Look at Paul’s Next Book
My next book is a labor of love. I have been working on it for seven years and it’s time to let you know. It’s about a subject near and dear to my heart – the [...]
The Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13:6–9)
A man had a fig tree, which had been planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And he said to the vineyard-keeper, “Behold, for [...]
Who is the Unworthy Servant? (Luke 17:10)
Update: My line-by-line commentary on this parable can be found in my book The Parables of Jesus. How do you see yourself? As a valued son or a worthless servant? As a [...]
Why is the Narrow Gate Hard to Enter? (Luke 13:24)
Jesus spoke about entering the kingdom through a narrow gate, but what is the narrow gate? Jesus is. But what does it mean to find the narrow gate, and why did Jesus say many [...]
The Parable of the Two Sons
Update: My line-by-line commentary on this parable can be found in my book The Parables of Jesus. From time to time people ask me to write about the parables of Jesus. This [...]
The Parable of the Dead Rich Man
Update: My line-by-line commentary on this parable can be found in my book The Parables of Jesus. Jesus told stories to nudge people toward receptive insight. So why did he [...]
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
Update: My line-by-line commentary on this parable can be found in my book The Parables of Jesus. In Luke 15 and 16, Jesus tells five parables in a row. The first three are [...]
The Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27)
Update: My line-by-line commentary on this parable can be found in my book The Parables of Jesus. Jesus told two parables about servants entrusted with money; the parable of [...]
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Update: My line-by-line commentary on this parable can be found in my book The Parables of Jesus. Once upon a time there was a man who went on a journey, and before he left [...]
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1–8)
Update: My line-by-line commentary on this parable can now be found in my book The Parables of Jesus. The strangest parable Jesus ever told was about a man who cheats on his [...]
Fatherless Fiction
I have four children under the age of ten so I read a lot of children’s books. Sometimes I even read them to my kids! A recurring theme I have noticed in children’s [...]
The Parable of the Beaten Servants
Update: My line-by-line commentary on this parable can now be found in my book The Parables of Jesus. There are only two ways you can respond to Jesus; positively, in faith, [...]
How Should We Read the Words of Jesus?
Jesus is the greatest preacher of all time. He told stories and preached sermons the whole world needs to hear. The genius of Jesus is that he often preached one message with [...]
How to Really Overcome Discouragement: Lessons from the One Who Never Lost Heart
What do you do when you get discouraged? Maybe you’re discouraged right now. If so, you’ve come to the right place! I’m going to tell you something Jesus said that will [...]
Mixing Grace with Works: It’s Not About the Widow
Most Christians know it’s a bad idea to mix grace with works because of what Paul said to the Galatians: Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now [...]
Escape to Reality 