Bite Size Theology Update [April 23, 2019]

We hope you all had an awesome Easter with your families! Speaking of this weekend, we posted our newest Extended Edition episode in which we asked the question “What is the Point of the Church?” We had some really good conversations and also got some excellent listener questions (which you can send to us on our Twitter @BiteTheology or email at bitesizetheologypod@gmail.com) that we hope you all enjoy.

Right now, we are in the thick of our series on Jesus’ parables in the gospels.  Entering week three, we still have twenty more to go through over the next few weeks. Your support is greatly appreciated and we look forward to talking with you all about Jesus as we press on! Now, here’s a preview of what is to come from Bite Size Theology the next two weeks:

Week 1 (4/22-4/26):

4/22 – Parables (Pt. 11) – The Mustard Seed & The Leaven:
by Aaron Lively

In the gospel of Mark Jesus says this: “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

In the gospels of Matthew and Luke we also get a small related parable after this: Jesus says, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it is all leavened.”

These parables may be short, but Jesus is communicating a lot here. The mustard seed would’ve been the smallest seed known to Jesus’ audience. Something that starts out so small and insignificant grows into the biggest plant in the garden. And when baking bread, just a little yeast goes a long way – the quantity “three measures” in the Bible would’ve made enough bread to feed 100 people. Even just taking a quick glimpse at the text, it’s clear that Jesus is saying that God’s kingdom might appear to have humble beginnings and may look like it begins quietly, but will come in its full glory over time…

4/23 – Parables (Pt. 12) – Hidden Treasure & The Pearl:  
by Aaron Lively

So we find Jesus in the middle of his ministry on earth when he delivers this parable in Matthew: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Just like the Mustard Seed and the Leaven from yesterday, here we have another two short parables that are communicating something similar. In both parables, the treasure itself isn’t immediately obvious. The first man found the treasure hidden in a field, and the second man, the merchant, had to do some active searching in order to find the pearl he was looking for. But when they find it and see its value, their reaction is exactly the same: they sell everything they have to buy the treasure…

4/24 – Parables (Pt. 13) – The Friend at Midnight:
by John McCord

4/25 – Parables (Pt. 14) – The Net:
by Sage Blalock

“”Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus’ parable offers up three sobering facts that we would be foolish to overlook. First, he tells us that the Net would gather fish “of every kind.” This serves as a reminder that racism, sexism, and any other form of discrimination have no place in the Body of Christ and will not exist in the Kingdom of Heaven. Sadly, these problems persist, not just in our society, but in parts of the Church, too. It cannot be overstated that people from every people group and every subdivision of humanity will be found in Christ forever. Made in the image of God, all people hold equal value and should be treated as such…

4/26 – Parables (Pt. 15) – The Rich Fool:
by Sage Blalock

Week 2 (4/29-5/3):

4/29 – Parables (Pt. 16) – The Barren Fig Tree:
by Aaron Lively 

4/30 – Parables (Pt. 17) – Counting the Cost:
by Sage Blalock

5/1 – Parables (Pt. 18) – The Lost Sheep & Coin:
by Sage Blalock

5/2 – Parables (Pt. 19) – The Prodigal Son:
by Aaron Lively

5/3 – Parables (Pt. 20) – The Unforgiving Servant:
by John McCord 

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