Jesus' Parable Of The Wedding Seat

Jesus' Parable Of The Wedding  Seat Is A Message About Humility

Listen closely, my little ones, to a parable that Jesus told. Once, there was a big, happy wedding celebration! A man was getting married, and he invited many people to come and celebrate.

When the people came to the party, some of them rushed to find the best seats. "I want to sit here!" one said. "No, I want to sit closest to the bride and groom!" another shouted. They wanted everyone to see how important they thought they were.

But then, the man who was having the wedding feast came in. He saw someone sitting in a very special seat that was meant for someone even more special. The man said gently, "Excuse me, friend, but that seat is for someone else. Could you please move to a seat a little further down?"

The person felt really embarrassed and ashamed. He got up from the seat  and walked all the way to the back. Those seats were far away from the wedding table, and they weren't as nice. 

Another person who came was given a really nice seat

Jesus looked at the crowd, smiled seriously and continued His parable. Then, another person came to the wedding feast, He said. Instead of trying to find the best seat, he quietly sat down in a seat near the back. 

Later, the man hosting the wedding feast saw this person sitting way down in the back. He smiled and said, "My friend, why are you sitting so far away? Come, sit closer to the front! We have a better place for you."

So this person was moved to a seat of honor. Everyone present could see that they were being treated with great respect.

Parable of the Wedding Feast Meaning

Now, let's think about what Jesus wanted us to learn from this story. In those days, when people had wedding feasts, important guests were given seats of honor. It showed how much respect people had for them. The most important people – like the oldest, wisest, or most respected leaders in the community – got the best seats.

Families were very close, and everyone knew their place. People worked hard, maybe as farmers, or making things with their hands. When they went to a wedding, it was a special time to celebrate with family and friends.

They believed in being respectful and honoring others. If you tried to take a seat that wasn't yours, it was like saying you were better than everyone else. That was considered rude and disrespectful. It would make the host feel bad, and it would upset the other guests.

But if you were humble and didn't try to show off, and you were happy to sit anywhere, then the host might notice your kindness. The host might then want to honor you by giving you a better seat.

God values humility

Jesus wanted us to understand that it's better to be humble and not try to be the most important person. In 1 Peter 5: 5, the bible says that God resists the proud, but gives grace or favor to the humble.

God hates it when people push themselves up to the front. He prefers if  they wait for God and other people to honor them.

Parable of the Wedding Seat Scriptures: Luke 14: 7-11

Luke 14: 7

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,

Luke 14:8 

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,

Luke 14: 9

and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.

Luke 14:10

But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.

Luke 14:11

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted

The Parable Of The Two Sons

The Parable Of The Two Sons Introduction

Listen closely, little ones. My name is Matthew, a disciple of Jesus. Let me tell you a story that our Lord Jesus, once shared with us. In the time in which Jesus was in the earth, families worked the land, and fathers loved their children very much.

There was a man who had two sons. He owned a beautiful vineyard, filled with rows and rows of grapevines. The grapes were plump and sweet, ready to be made into juice and wine. This man had two sons.

The father asked his two sons to help in the vineyard

One sunny morning, the father went to his older son. Maybe that boy was playing a game with his friends. "My son," the father said, his voice kind but firm, "the vineyard needs tending today. Will you go and work there?"

The older son, caught up in his own fun, frowned a little. "No, Father," he replied, "I don't want to go. I'm busy."

The father, though a bit disappointed, didn't argue. He simply turned and walked to his younger son, who was sitting nearby, perhaps helping his mother with a chore.

"My dear son," the father said, his voice full of love, "the vineyard needs your help today. Would you be willing to go?"

The younger son looked up at his father with a smile. "Yes, Father!" he exclaimed. "I'll go right away!" He might have even jumped up and started running towards the vineyard, eager to please.

The older son went although he had initially refused to obey

But as the day went on, something strange happened. The older son, after a while, began to think about his father's words. He realized that his father needed him, and that it was important to help. So, even though he had said no at first, he put aside his games and went to the vineyard. He worked hard, pruning the vines and carrying water. His hands became a little dirty, but his heart felt good.

The younger son did not go although he had initially promised to do so

And what about the younger son, who had promised so readily to go to work? Well, the day grew long, and the sun climbed higher in the sky. Perhaps he found other things to do. Maybe he stopped to talk with friends, or maybe he found a shady spot to rest. The hours passed, and he never actually made it to the vineyard to help his father.

When the father returned at the end of the day, he looked to see what his sons had done. He saw one son working diligently among the vines, his face a little sweaty but his eyes shining with effort. It was the son who had first said no. The other son was nowhere to be seen in the vineyard.

Which of these two sons did what their father requested?

Now, Jesus, our Lord, looked at the people gathered around Him, and He asked a simple question: "Which of these two sons did what their father truly wanted?"

You know the answer, don't you, my little ones? It wasn't just about the words they said, but about what they did. The first son, even though he said no at first, changed his heart and obeyed his father. The second son said all the right things, but his actions showed that his heart was not truly in his words.

Parable of the two sons explained

Which of the two sons really made the father happy? The second son of course! Jesus wants us to know that it is not enough to just say we will obey God's Word, or that we will follow God. We must also obey the Word of God. We must follow God with our actions. 

Even if we make mistakes or say the wrong thing at first, we can always change our hearts and choose to do what is right. God sees our hearts, and He loves us when we try, even when it's hard. The MOST important thing in the world is to obey God.

Parable of the two sons in real life

So, when your mother asks you to help with a chore, or when your teacher asks you to be kind to a classmate, remember the two sons. Let your "yes" mean yes, and let your actions show the love in your heart. For that is what truly pleases our Father in Heaven.

The Parable of the Two Sons Bible Verses - Matthew 21: 28-32. 

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 

30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 

31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 

32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Jesus' Prophecy That Foreigners Would Rule Jerusalem

Jesus' Prophecy That Foreigners Would Live In Jerusalem

Today, we'll explore Jesus' prophecy about that foreigners would rule Jerusalem. Let's follow the fascinating journey  of Jerusalem and its rulers after 70AD.  First there were the Romans, then the Arabs.

We've been exploring Jesus' prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem and how they came to pass with uncanny accuracy. Remember He is God and knows everything in advance. This is why we can believe and trust the word of our Lord.

Jerusalem's Story: A City of Many Rulers

Do you remember how Jesus warned His followers that Jerusalem would be destroyed? One of the things He warned was that foreigners would tread down the city. That means that they would rule over the city and its people. 

This is what Jesus said:

“And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (Luke 21: 26)..

The Romans Arrive 

Imagine powerful soldiers in shiny armor. These were the Romans, and they came to Jerusalem a long time ago. They took over around 63 BCE. 

For a while, things were okay, but then the Jewish people didn't want the Romans ruling them anymore. So, there was a big fight which began in 66AD and ended in 70 AD.

In 70AD, the Romans, led by General Titus, fought against the city and destroyed much of Jerusalem. They also destroyed the beautiful temple, just as Jesus had prophesied said many years before. 

After the Fight

After the Romans won, life was hard for the Jewish people. The Romans made new rules, and they weren't always nice. Sometimes, the Jews weren't allowed to go to Jerusalem, their own city. 

Later on, they were allowed to visit only one day a year, on a day to remember the Temple's destruction. The Romans even changed Jerusalem's name to Aelia Capitolina to show that they were in charge.

New Rulers: The Arabs

Years and years passed, and new people came to Jerusalem around 638 AD. These were the Arabs. They brought new ways of life and a new religion called Islam.  In Islam, people worship another god.

They built like the Dome of the Rock, which you can still see today! For a long time, Jerusalem was an important place for the Arab rulers.

So, Jerusalem has seen many different rulers come and go. It's had happy times and sad times, but it's always been a special place for many people.

A Long, Long Time Ago:

Jerusalem is an ancient city that is very special to three big religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jewish people have had a connection to this land for thousands of years, and this is a very, very long time, 

Coming Back To Israel

In more recent times, starting over a hundred years ago, many people who said they were Jews returned from different parts of the world to  Jerusalem. They wanted to build  homes there. More and more of these people came, and their numbers in Jerusalem grew. These people created a new Jewish state called Israel in 1948.

The Arab Response: Concerns and Conflict:

Remember we said that the Arabs had been living in Jerusalem since 638AD? They too had made it their home. As more Jewish people came, the Arabs had concerns. They were worried about what these changes would mean for them, their homes, and their future in the land. 

They felt it was their land, and they didn't agree with the idea of a new state being created there for the people called Jews. This led to disagreements and sometimes fighting between the Arab and Jewish people in the area.

A Plan to Share:

After a big war called World War II, the countries of the world, through the United Nations, had an idea. They thought the best way to have peace in the land where both Arabs and Jews lived was to divide it into two parts – one for a Jewish state and one for an Arab state. 

They also thought Jerusalem should be a special city that belonged to everyone. Jewish leaders said okay to this plan, but Arab leaders did not agree with it.

The Fighting Started and Jerusalem Was Divided In 1948

Because there wasn't an agreement, fighting began when the British (who were in charge of the area at the time) left in 1948, It was a war between the new Jewish state and the neighboring Arab countries.

During this fighting, Jerusalem became divided. One part of the city, the western part, came under the control of Israel. The eastern part came under the control of an Arab country called Jordan. This area includes the very old section with many important places that are important to the Islamic religion, 

Imagine a line being drawn through a city, separating neighbors and sometimes families. This is what happened in Jerusalem, and it was a difficult time for both Arabs and Jews who were affected by the division. It became hard for people to move between the two parts of the city.

The City Came Under One Control Again In 1967

Years later, in 1967, there was another war called the Six-Day War. As a result of this war, Israel took control of East Jerusalem from Jordan. This meant that the whole city of Jerusalem was now under Israeli control. Israel believes that Jerusalem is its capital city.

Still Talking About the Future

Today, the Israelis and Arabs living in the area still disagree about who should have control over Jerusalem. Both Israelis and Palestinians (the Arabs who live in the area) have very strong feelings and hopes for the city's future. It's a complex situation, and people are still working to find a way for everyone to live peacefully and for the city to be a place for everyone.

The conflict at the time of writing

At the time of writing, there is a big war between the Israel and Palestine. When there is fighting, it makes people very sad and scared. Many people around the world hope and pray that the fighting will stop and that the Israelis and Palestinians can find a way to live peacefully next to each other. I

t's a very hard problem, and many grown-ups are trying to help find a solution so that everyone can feel safe and have a place to call home.

Remember to pray for peace between Israel and Palestine. Children and other grown-ups have been hurt, some have fled from their homes and many are living in refuge camps.

Conclusion

As we end, we see how time has proven Jesus to right. We can trust His Word because He sees everything and tells us in advance.

Jesus also warned about a place of punishment for sinners when they die. It is called hell. After that, there will be the Great Eternal Judgment. Everyone who refused to receive His salvation will be thrown into a lake of fire.

Discover how to receive eternal life.