Irmela

3. What was the synagogue president's position? How could he be so utterly blind to what was really going on? Is his blindness credible, or is he just a foil in the storytelling? The ruler of the synagogue had allowed Jesus, as a Rabbi, to teach on the Sabbath day. Possibly because of public demand. From the outcome of what happened, he was quite obviously not 100% behind Jesus. He was very much like the Pharisees (hard-hearted to all that were different from them) who kept the law and also all the "trappings" (man-made rules) that go with it. This shows by his reaction to the healing. All these extra rules made him/them blind to reality. Unfeeling to God's love and care towards humanity.

2. What effect did Jesus' proclamation in verse 12 have on the woman's healing? Why do you think Jesus laid his hands upon her? He called her to Himself and said that she was released from her infirmity. Now she was set free from the spirit that was bending her double. But she was still in that bent over position until He laid His hands on her wherupon she was instantly made straight. Jesus showed kindness, understanding and love in His touching her. He saw her need. By doing this He showed that she was not untouchable. With pain in the lower back. Movement can be very restricted and a touch in a certain spot brings about that movement is easier and the back can be straightened better. I am sure Jesus knew that and that He gently touched her healed back which then moved into the normal straightened position. So by mentioning the above I feel that there were two reasons He touched her. What an awesome loving Saviour.

1. Describe the woman Jesus sees in the synagogue, using the text as well as your imagination. What did she look like? How old do you think she was? How do you think she felt? How did people in her community feel about her? I would think she would be in her late 30's or early 40's seeing she was bent over for so long already. I can imagine her to be a bit unkempt as it would not be easy to look after oneself in such a condition. Very likely moving around with a stick. The text says she could not lift her face, so I guess she would not easily have moved around in a crowd. I guess her life to have been a lonely one. I understand from the Bible at other times when someone was healed, the question came up ... Who sinned? ... So the community at large would shun her and wonder what great sin she had committed. (even in the OT we find Job's friends believing him to have sinned grievously ).

5. What lessons does the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree teach us disciples? What does this parable mean to you personally? (13:6-8) We are not there to just take up space in God's vineyard. We are there for a purpose. To bear fruit. If this does not happen we will be dug out and thrown out. God is merciful. But there will be a time and His mercy will run out. After that (as with the tree) we will be cut down and thrown out. Christ as the vinedresser has pleaded for me. He has nurtured me. He has had mercy on me many a time. Has given special attention to me (teaching from His Word, help when downcast, opened my eyes and mind to understand when I was living wrong and much more) for which I am eternally thankful for.

4. What lessons does Jesus' commentary on tragic deaths teach us disciples? What are we supposed to get out of this? (13:1-5) Tragedy is not a punishment for sins. All have sinned. Sin (nevermind what sin) separates from God. We need to repent. All of us. (not only the ones society looks down on or frowns upon). We need to be ready when we are called to leave this earth, be it after an illness, a tragedy, an accident, long life, whatever.

3. What lessons does the Parable of the Guilty Defendant teach us disciples? (12:57-59) To settle a dispute out of court instead of letting a judge decide and cast you into prison. Spiritually taken. You are guilty and subject to God's judgment. Plead for mercy now before it is too late. Turn to Jesus now while there is time, before judgment because then it'll be too late and judgment will be passed, where there will be no more mercy.

2. What are the "signs" in our own day that point to the soon coming of the Son of Man and judgment? (12:54-56) The times are turbulent. There are wars and rumors of wars. The lifestyle is like Sodom and Gomorrah. There are false leaders claiming to be from God. Many are led astray by false prophets. Now the worldwide Pandemic also. If we read Matthew 24, much of what is spoken about is taking place. The Gospel can reach many (even in isolated places) who beforehand could not be reached. All the above point to the soon coming of the Son of Man. But in spite of everything the exact day and hour are not known by anyone, but the FATHER.

1. Why does the Gospel of Peace often bring divisions in our families? What can we do about that? Why does Jesus even mention it? (12:49-53) God did not make robots . He made us each unique. On top of that He gave us an option of choice. To follow Him is a choice. In a family there are many individuals. Each one has to ultimately choose the path he/she will follow. The path may not necessarily be the same one. It is not easy to see someone you love, follow a path that you would not like them to follow as it ultimately brings pain and distress. So it can bring conflict and division. The best thing to do is to pray and give the situation to God. Allow Him to deal with it in the way He knows is best. I think Jesus mentions it because it is so easy to think that because we have Christ, Peace will reign triumphant. In the long run and finally it will. First and foremost sins must be dealt with. Later will come the judgement and finally a reign if PEACE in the New Heavens and New Earth, where righteousness dwells.

5. Do you believe God has entrusted you with "little" or "much"? What can you be doing to maximize your potential as a productive servant in God's household? Because you have been given much, what "more" do you think God is now asking of you? Each ones "much" is different. With age it also changes. For now in the circumstances we are in I need to be faithful in praying. Bringing before the Lord the needs I am aware of and where I can, fulfill it as the Lord leads. (with the potential He has empowered me with).

4. Why are church leaders tempted to become petty masters rather than servants to their fellow servants? The return of Christ has been looked for for a long time. So it could be that the thought of His return is not immediate and so they take it on themselves to fulfil the Master's position instead of the position allotted to them, that of servants of the Lord and your servants for His sake in His interests. What is the sad analogy to this parable's beating, and luxury, and drunkenness. The tending, feeding and guiding is often neglected as the question is put "Am I my brother's keeper?". In actual fact we are all responsible for each other in the great Household of God. In Acts 20:28, Paul encourages the elders whom he had summoned to come to him, to tend, feed and guide the church of the Lord. In 1 Peter 5:2 the pastors and spiritual guides of the church are counseled to tend the fock of God (nurture, guide, guard and fold) willingly, eagerly and cheerfully. By the neglecting of feeding and tending the "flock" they are being beaten in a way, (they are "malnourished"). The luxury and drunkenness speaks of self comfort and luxurious lifestyles of many in high positions. The congregants are encouraged to give extensively and instead of this being used to tend the flock and be used for outreaches, etc., it is used to line the pockets. There is a fine line between using and abusing the authority God has given unto men.

3. In the parable, the master rewards his head servant with responsibility over all his possessions (12:44). What is the spiritual analogy of this part of the parable? Which of Jesus' promises for the future does it refer to? If we are found faithful in fulfilling the tasks allotted to us, we will be entrusted with more responsibility. Or given more authority. Jesus promises a reward in Heaven, viz., a 'Crown of Glory', which fadeth not away.

2. Head servants must be both faithful and wise "managers" (12:42-43). How do we learn to be faithful? What is the process by which we can be restored in faithfulness if we have neglected it? How do we learn prudence and wisdom? We learn by example of others who are following the Lord. We learn by reading and hearing the Word of God. There are many examples of what to do and what not to do, both in the Old and New Testament. We learn by being entrusted with little or minor duties and when doing these faithfully and can be counted on to do them without fail, we are given more responsibility. If we have failed or shirked our duties we need to apologize, truly repent and prove by our actions that we mean what we say and that we can be trusted again. We learn wisdom by the Word, by not giving up, by trusting God, by being faithful to Him.

1. What is the answer to Peter's question in 12:41? Peter's question comes after the parable of watching and being alert. The first one was for the return of the Master from the marriage feast and the second one being for the thief who comes to destroy. The latter explanation being the return of the Son of Man going to be unexpected just as a thief comes unexpectedly. We all need to be vigilant and on the alert. Did Jesus intend these parables for the Twelve or for all his disciples? To all, who become members of the household of God (the living church), bond-slaves of the Lord and stewards.

5. Let's get personal. What helps you keep your spiritual edge? What kinds of things cause you to lose your spiritual alertness? Don't speak hypothetically, but personally. Reading the Word. Sharing the Word. Spending time in worship and prayer. Listening to Spiritual msgs sent on WhatsApp. When I get busy with all sorts and start looking at others and comparing how they feel at liberty to live etc. I need to keep focusing on my Lord and live like I understand Him to want me to live. I need to be ready for Him at all time and not fill my thought life with garbage.

4. A second mini-parable involves a thief and a homeowner (12:39-40). What is the point of this parable? A thief comes unannounced. He breaks in when he is least expected. The second-coming of our Lord will be like that. Unexpected. Not to cause devastation (to His own) as a thief does, but to bring His loved ones Home. To the ones who are not ready, it will be devastating because their time to repent and turn to Him will have come to an end.

3. The master in Jesus' parable is pretty strange (12:37). When he arrives home and is pleased with his servants, he fixes them dinner! What is the point of this part of the parable? Jesus was not only a Leader, He was a Servant Leader. In this parable Jesus points out that the Master too knows how to serve and does so, to show His delight in their faithfulness (in waiting up for Him) and thus He rewards them to a dinner He Himself has prepared. By this we learn to serve and keep the servant mentality.

2. What kind of energy and investment does it require of the servants to be ready during the nighttime hours? They need to have enough oil nearby to refill the lamps, as there was no knowing at what time the master would return. They need to keep themselves awake and ready to serve the master when he came.

1. Describe the ideal servants waiting up for their master. What qualities is this wealthy slave-owner looking for in his servants (12:35-36)? They are ready for service, even if the master is delayed in coming. They are ready to open the door to welcome the master. You can see they are ready for service by the way their robes were tucked in by the belt. Not only in their outlook are they ready but they also have the lamps ready. Every so often they need to be filled with oil and the wicks need to be appropriately trimmed. This takes effort on the parts of the servants. They do not just relax and at the last minute light the lamps and get dressed etc. No. They are ready to get going at a moments notice. They actually look forward to his coming. The master is looking for diligence, alertness and honor in his servants.

6. Where is your treasure? Where is your heart? (12:34) How can you know? It is very easy to just state that my heart is with God. My hearts desire is to do His will in small and everyday living as well as in the unexpected big things requested by Him from time to time. To do these things without grumbling but truly to and for His Glory. We can know where our treasure is by that which holds us. If we are not bound by the cares of this world I guess we can safely say our treasure is laid up with God.

5. Why should you sell possessions and give to the poor (12:32). What sense does that make? I think this means do not collect and have things that are not a necessity. If you have an abundance, give the extra to the poor. Should you already be in that place of having enough use the extra funds in giving to those in need.

4. What is the significance to you that the Father has given you the Kingdom (12:31-32). How does it make you feel? What does it consist of? How is it effective in this life? How is it effective in the life to come? God's Kingdom is where He rules. God says in His Word that we are His heirs. It is not something we can easily understand. One of the mysteries which make Him be God. If I understood all, He would not be so great. I stand in awe of His kindness, love, favour, grace, mercy, pardon, His provision, His glory. His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. He is prepared to share this with me (us). Its mind-blowing. If my heart is filled with Him, with pleasing Him in all I say, do, think, that is His Kingdom come into my life. His rule. In eternity that is what it will be. Doing and being with Him. Not separated from Him.

3. Jesus refers to our focus on material possessions in three negative ways. The first is "worry." What are the other two: worry (12:22, 24, 25) ________ (12:28b) ________ (12:32) In what sense is this sin? Worry; little faith; fear If we are anxious or worry about our bodily and material needs, we are reflecting that we are not trusting God to supply those needs. Normally a child does not worry about those needs, he just expects them to be there, nevermind how. The clothes he needs are there (ready to be used as needed). Just so also when hungry under normal circumstances the food will be there ready supplied by the parent or carer. Just as the child looks to his parent to do the supplying, so we too should look to God to supply our needs. We ought not to worry about them. Worrying or not having faith that God will supply our needs as and when He knows is best is like mistrusting His ability in being a Good Father. Also by stating the above, I too do not believe it right to fold my hands, do nothing (laze around) and then expect food and other needs to appear on my doorstep. I believe part of God's supplying is enabling us to work and so feed and clothe and teach our families the importance of labour (be it in the field or wherever) and then getting sustenance etc., but ultimately realizing it actually comes from God. Should for some reason this not be so then God is in the process of teaching us something. Still we ought not to doubt that He indeed is watching over us through thick and thin, through hardship and in times of plenty. He is always there. Not trusting Him and worrying, is unbelief.

2. God's care over sparrows is mentioned in 12:6-8. Ravens are mentioned in 12:24. What is similar about these statements? How does the raven differ from the sparrow, from a Jewish viewpoint? God cares for sparrows as well as for ravens. No difference is made. A sparrow is a tiny (almost unimportant) bird. A seed-eating bird. From the Jewish point of view, it belongs to the "clean" variety. The raven, in turn, is classed among the unclean birds. It feeds on decaying flesh. Neither store in barns, yet both are noticed and cared for.

1. Jesus gives five reasons in 12:22-30 why we shouldn't worry and strive over the material needs of life, food, clothing, shelter, and the like. What are they? 1) Life is more than food; body is more than clothes. We cannot add to life anyway, be it the length that we live, of it or any other aspect, like our height, looks etc. We cannot change it. 2) The birds are taken care of. Even the birds of prey (a bird looked upon as unclean), surely God will provide for our needs also. 3) The field is clothed with flowers for the season and then burnt; yet come the season again, the field is beautifully bedect with colour yet again. Again it is God's doing. Surely He knows that we too need to be clothed and will provide clothes to cover our bodies. 4) The pagans worry about what to eat and what to wear. They run after physical and material needs. So we should be different. It should not consume our thoughts and desires. 5) Our thoughts and desire should be on God's Kingdom. That is eternal. That is forever.

6. How does one become rich towards God? (12:21) By laying up treasure in heaven. Living humbly for God now in giving to the needy, doing good deeds, helping someone on their feet by teaching them to do something instead of begging, praying, teaching about God, fasting, etc. all those things if done for God is like laying up treasure in heaven or becoming rich towards God.