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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth
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You have not chosen me. I have chosen you, and appointed you to go and bring forth good fruit in your lives, fruit that will last.
A man had two sons. He told the elder: "Son, go and work today in my vineyard."
"I will not," the son answered; but later he had a change of heart, and went to the fields to work.
Then the father told the younger son: "You go into the fields as well."
Immediately he answered: "I will." But he remained at home, and ignored his father's command. Which of these two sons fulfilled his father's command?
Why do you call me good, unless you believe I am God? You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; Do not kill; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Honour your father and your mother. Do this, and you will have treasures in heaven. Still you fail in this by honouring me with your words alone, and not using everything -- your wealth, your possessions, and your life -- to help those in need.
If you wish to follow me, you must first put aside your desires and selfish way of living. Make this sacrifice and follow me. For those who wish to have eternal life must first set aside their old life. All who do this for my sake will discover new life -- both here on earth as well as in heaven.
Once there was a king who organized the wedding of his son, the prince. When all was ready, he sent his servants out to the provinces of his kingdom to summon those that were invited to the wedding, but the guests refused to come.
So the king sent out his servants, saying: "Tell those invited to the wedding, I have prepared a great dinner. My oxen and best calves have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding."
But the subjects made light of this invitation as well, and returned to their work, some to their farms, others to their businesses in town. Those who lingered behind took hold of the king's servants and beat them to death.
When the king learned of what had happened, he was enraged. He sent out his palace soldiers. They caught the murderers, executed them, and burned their houses to the ground.
Then he said to his servant: "The wedding is ready, but those that were invited were not worthy to attend. Go, then, to those that you meet on the street corners and on the road outside the city, and invite them to the wedding celebrations."
So the king's servants went to the street corners of the city, and then out along the highways, and invited everyone they encountered, both the good and the bad; and the wedding hall was filled with these guests.
That evening, the king came in to see his guests. He was shocked to see one at the table eating with the wedding garment that had been provided. He asked: "How is it that you came in to the feast without your wedding garment?" But the man could give no answer.
Then the king said to his servants: "Bind this man and have him removed." I will add this: many are called -- into the kingdom -- but few are chosen. The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. I have called you from the world's way of living life. Repent, put on the garments of salvation, and believe this good news.
No one can come to me unless the Father, who has sent me, draws him; and I will raise up that person on the last day. All of you whom the Father has given me will come to me: and whoever comes to me, I will never, even refuse.
Because I have told you such things, do you believe? Truly, you will see even greater things that these.
Enter therefore through the narrow gate; for wide is the path, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many go that way; but narrow is the gate and the path, which lead to life, and there are few that find it. Make every effort to go through the gate that leads to life. One day, many will suddenly want to change their way for the right way, and it will be too late.
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These are the very words of Jesus of Nazereth. Taken originally from the Bible , and arranged here by subject as they appear in Lee Cantelon's book "The Words" (c) 1997. [www.thewords.com]
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The_Words
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