The older brother is angry and finds fault because of the rejoicing over his brother’s return. He complains that his father is treating the returning prodigal too well, and that he himself has not been treated as well as he deserves. He is unable to share in the joy over his younger brother, and he gives way to envious thoughts.

The prodigal son is a picture of everyone before they are saved. We are all naturally proud and selfish. We have no pleasure in fellowship with God. We turn away from Him, going as far as we can. We spend our time, and strength, and mind, and heart on worthless things. The prodigal son finds out that the ways of sin

What the Scribes and Pharisees say is strictly and literally true. The Lord Jesus does welcome sinners. He welcomes them to forgive them, and to make them holy and ready for heaven. It is His job to do so. This is why He came to the world - to call sinners to repent. He came to earth to save sinners.

True Christians must be ready, if necessary, to give up everything for Christ’s sake. Jesus is not saying that it is the duty of Christians to hate their relatives. He means that those who follow Him must love Him with a deeper love even than their nearest and dearest relatives and friends, or their own lives. He is not saying

Jesus is taking the opportunity through this parable to remind those around Him that men may have the kingdom of God offered to them, and yet may choose to neglect, ignore, or reject it, and be lost forever. First, we are taught in this parable that God has provided everything necessary to save men’s souls. The great supper with enough food

Our Lord teaches us here to be humble. Humility should be a characteristic of every Christian. To know our own sinfulness and weakness, and to understand our need of Christ, is the very beginning of the Gospel. Humility has been a characteristic of many of the great Christians in the Bible - men like Abraham, Moses, Job, David, Daniel, and

Our Lord Jesus Christ accepts the hospitality of those who are not His disciples, but He is the same there as He is elsewhere, always about His Father’s business in a wise and calm manner. He always says the right thing, at the right time, and in the right way. He never forgets for a moment, who He is and

These verses should drive home to us the fact that our times are entirely in God’s hands. Christ’s time is not yet come for leaving the world. His work is not yet finished. Until that time comes it is not in the power of Herod to hurt Him. Until that work is finished no weapon forged against Him can prosper.

When our Lord Jesus Christ is asked a question about how many will be saved, He replies with a command. He is not going to gratify the curiosity of His questioner, but press home to him and all around him, their own immediate duty. In taking care of their own souls, they will soon find the question answered. In trying

The parable of the mustard seed is intended to show the progress of the Gospel in the world. The beginnings of the Gospel are exceedingly small. Its first founder is a poor man who dies on a cross. Its first followers probably do not exceed a thousand. Its first preachers are fisherman and tax-collectors, often uneducated men. Its first starting