Meditate on the Word - For a Decent and Investigative Christianity (EN)

  The Parable of the Prodigal Son , found in Luke 15:11-32, is one of the most profound and well-known stories told by Jesus. It is part of a series of three parables (The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son) that Jesus told in response to the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes. They complained that Jesus associated with sinners and ate with them, which, in their view, was unworthy of a religious teacher. Through this parable, Jesus reveals the loving, merciful, and forgiving character of God and contrasts it with the judgmental and exclusive attitude of the religious leaders. Cultural Context In Jesus' time, Jewish society was highly patriarchal and based on a system of honor and shame. The family was the central nucleus of social life, and respect for parents, especially the father, was considered one of the most sacred commandments. Therefore, any act that dishonored the father was considered extremely serious. The Parable Jesus begins the parable by saying that ...

  My focus is eternity Anxiety is a powerful force that ties us to the future, diverting our attention from the present and stealing our peace. Jesus calls us to live one day at a time, trusting that He will take care of us. When we focus on eternity, we find peace and purpose in the present. The Traps of Anxiety Anxiety makes us constantly think about the "what ifs." What if we lose our job? What if we get sick? What if something happens to our loved ones? These thoughts paralyze us, preventing us from enjoying the present moment and fully trusting in God's provision. Jesus instructed us not to worry about tomorrow, for each day has its own challenges (Matthew 6:34). He invites us to live in the present, to focus on His presence, and to trust that He will meet all our needs. Identifying the Source of Anxiety To deal with anxiety, it's essential to identify the areas where it is stealing our peace. It could be at work, in the family, with health, or finances. By rec...

The story of Onan, found in the book of Genesis, serves as a profound lesson for us about the importance of generating spiritual children and not just seeking our own pleasure. Onan, son of Judah, was instructed to fulfill the law of levirate marriage by marrying his older brother Er's widow to raise offspring for him. However, Onan, despite having sexual relations with Tamar, spilled his semen on the ground to avoid generating children for his brother. This selfish and disobedient act brought God's wrath upon him, resulting in his premature death. This story leads us to reflect on our role as followers of Christ. Jesus, our elder brother, calls us to be fruitful and to make disciples of all nations, according to the Great Commission. We are not here just to seek personal or spiritual pleasure without responsibility. We are called to generate spiritual children, to share the gospel, to disciple, and to help others grow in faith. The Call for Spiritual Fruitfulness Jesus, in var...

Matthew 7:13-14  "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Jesus presents us with a clear choice between two paths: one leading to life and the other to destruction. The wide gate and broad road represent easy and popular choices that often seem attractive because they require little effort and sacrifice. However, this path leads to destruction. In contrast, the small gate and narrow road represent the commitment and dedication required to follow Christ, a path that few choose because it is difficult and demanding. The metaphor of the narrow gate is a call to serious and deep commitment to God. Jesus challenges us not to follow the crowd that opts for the easy path, but to choose the path that leads to life, even though it is harder. This path requires us to leave behind our comforts and face challenges. ...