2 Kings 11:1 (KJV)

And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.

It was Jehu who had killed Ahaziah. But that’s not all he had killed:

• He killed Athaliah’s father, Ahab
• He killed Athaliah’s mother, Jezebel
• He killed Athaliah’s brethren, seventy of them
• He killed Ahaziah’s brethren, forty two of them

Luke 20:7 (KJV)

And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

Interestingly they answered that they could not answer.

Notice the crowd:

• The chief priests
• The scribes
• The elders

These were the people in Israel one would have thought had the answers. The Bible makes it very clear why they could not provide one. They were worried about the consequences of their answer. They reasoned among themselves what would be the repercussions of whatever answer they gave and so chose to give no answer.

Luke 19:14 (KJV)

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

Consider the citizens of the parable, their hatred of, and their message after the king
Had no bearing on what the fact was
He did still rule regardless of their hatred and regardless of their message. The will of man is powerless in so many ways. The will is incapable of changing most natural circumstances in life. …

2 Kings 6:1 (KJV)

And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.

My interest is in the sons of the prophets and their relationship with Elisha

Among the first times we see them they came out to watch Elijah and Elisha
They witnessed the parting of the Jordan for the two of them and then, when Elijah was taken up, for Elisha alone.

We see them mocking Elisha’s bald head[1]
And a bear comes to devour some of them.

We see them here dwelling with…

Luke 18:1 (KJV)

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

• Don’t faint in praying
• In praying don’t faint

It seems to me that the context is clear.

Jesus spoke this parable to teach His disciples not to faint or to quit praying

I am not a leader

I am not even a spiritual leader.

The work of the pastor looks like a leadership role. But if I allow myself to see myself as a leader I am likely to forget who is the Head. No one needs my wisdom, my skill, my insight, my heart, or my direction. They need Jesus.

I am not a shepherd

Luke 16:15 (KJV)

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Of the Pharisees Jesus said these three things:

• They justify themselves before men
• They are highly esteemed among men
• God knows their hearts and it is an abomination in the sight of God

He spoke directly to these Pharisees but is there not a warning for us?

We must be careful not to justify ourselves

Luke 15:25–32 (KJV)

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment…