can change that fact in Wikipedia at any time. (Also, I’d like to point out the work of my long-suffering editor, Mary Beth #notpaidenough, for having to put up with things like multiple simultaneous parenthetical phrases.))
Anyway, I bet as soon as Jesus said, “Hear another parable,” the disciples whipped out a beach blanket and sat down criss-cross applesauce, thinking, “Here we go!” Except for Peter. He got out his notebook so he could keep track of details to misconstrue. Here’s where the reality of no TV is important. This particular parable has a narrative arc, violence, a touch of choose-your-own-adventure, violence, direct references to Hebrew prophecy, and a somewhat cryptic forecast for Israel … and more violence. It’s basically Game of Thrones in Galilee without all the nudity. How could the disciples not be riveted?
Plus, it’s a bit of a smackdown. Jesus is always speaking to multiple audiences, meaning he is talking to the people right in front of him, but he’s also talking to us, the people who will study his words so intently that we will eventually number each sentence in our Bibles. The disciples aren’t worried about countless generations who will be reading their teacher’s words in the future. They are gleefully watching the Messiah drop truth bombs on the high priests who are out to get him. Scripture even says the high priests knew he was speaking about them, but they were too afraid to have him arrested. The disciples must have been having a good time.
The Takeaway
One can argue that almost the entire Old Testament is the story of the Jewish people being chosen by God, doing his will, falling away from him, paying the price for those actions, then coming back to God. Apply, rinse, repeat. Literally every commentary I looked up in my exhaustive research for this section (all two!) note that this whole parable is about God’s interactions with Israel and is predicting what is about to happen to Jesus — his crucifixion.
It also predicts that God’s kingdom will be given to another people. That’s us. That handing over started with the disciples and continues to this day. This is a pretty sobering concept that should legitimately freak us out a little … as all major responsibility should. I’m just glad cluelessness doesn’t knock me out of the running for the inheritance!
The Super Profound Secret to Getting More Done
Philippians 4:8–9
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
The Setup
In the interest of being forthright, the title of this segment is not altogether truthful. The information I’m about to share is not super profound, and it’s not even really about getting more done. But if I had titled it what it’s really about (Keep Doing Stuff, Have Peace), you probably wouldn’t be reading it. Well, I’ve gotten you in this far. Might as well keep reading now …
What Went Down
Paul gives us the kind of advice that usually only old people can pull off. You know the type of advice I’m talking about: incredibly wise and simple, unencumbered by daily grind stuff like mortgage payments or socks left on the stairs. He simply tells us to dwell on the good and do what we know is right.
The Takeaway
Now hold on. Before we discount this or just move on to the next amazing insight into the Scriptures found throughout this fine literary work, let’s just pause for a moment and actually think about these simple words.
I think it’s their simplicity that throws us off. We all want a technical solution for the troubles of the world, or at least we think we do. According to my quick Google search, Americans spend over $10 billion per year on the self-help industry. Have you ever listened to a motivational speaker? None of them tells you anything complicated. You know why? Details cloud the dream. Paul knew this. Motivational speakers say things like “Seize the dream you know is out there!” or “Own the reality you want to become!” or “I asked for a CARAMEL macchiato!” (That last one is them yelling at their personal assistant.)
Here, Paul is telling the Philippians that there is good in the world. Think about that stuff, the good stuff; stay positive. We don’t have to make it complicated.
I’m not saying there isn’t a place for SMART goals or detailed plans. But when it comes to your spirituality and those moments throughout the day when it’s just you alone in the vast universe of existence and there’s a choice before you to dwell on how something isn’t fair or how the world sucks or what you ought to say to that coworker next time he leaves the little plastic peel-off membrane from his yogurt on the counter — simply dwell on the lovely and gracious.
It’s not rocket science.
There, I just saved you the $2,500 you were going to drop at that Tony Robbins seminar you were thinking about attending. Why don’t you use just a fraction of that and buy a few more copies of this book to give to friends and family? And get me a CARAMEL macchiato!
At Least Put on a Tie
Matthew 22:1–14
And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.’ But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the streets, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The Setup
Basically, Jesus is retelling the parable of the vineyard, but in the context of a wedding banquet. Why does he tread this ground again? Maybe he focus-grouped the vineyard parable and got some feedback about folks being put off by the concept of land ownership. Maybe Peter pulled him aside and said, “Teacher, John’s having a really hard time staying off the sauce; can we maybe not talk so much about vineyards?” Or maybe he’s God and knows better than you, so stop criticizing!
Actually, he’s addressing some Pharisees and experts of the law who have come to catch him saying incriminating things. This parable sticks out in my mind because it ends on such a seemingly merciless note: wedding guests not dressed properly get thrown out into the street.
What Went Down
Game of Thrones, indeed! And you thought the parable of the vineyard was juicy. This one has a feast, a king, murder, burning whole towns, and weeping … and gnashing of teeth … always with the gnashing of teeth!
Have all those people who talk about Jesus being super love-hippie-dippie-flower-power-buddy-Jesus ever read this parable? This is some dark stuff. People get murdered. Towns get destroyed. People get thrown out of parties! That’s not exactly feel-good