Only 25% of America is good ground

 Some fell by the way side . . . some fell on the stony ground . . . some fell among thorns . . . other fell on good ground . . ..

-- Mark 4:4, 5, 7, 8

7 in 10 U.S. Adults Consider Themselves Spiritual 

Jason DeRose, NPR

7 in 10 also say it's morally acceptable to have a baby out of wedlock.

 

The most obvious indication that Jesus taught that few would be saved is the parable of the sower

The parable of the sower is found in the triple tradition, in Matthew 13:3ff., Mark 4:3ff. and  Luke 8:5ff. 

In each version the word of God sown in only 25% of the territories described becomes harvestable, and in each version this wisdom is revealed only to the disciples. This is in keeping with the double-edged sword of the prophetic message of Jesus, to issue one last call to repentance before the final judgment. It is good news to the few who repent, and bad news to the many who do not.

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables.

-- Mark 4:11

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

-- Matthew 13:11

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

-- Luke 8:10

You shall be my witnesses, or tell no one about me?

[R]epentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. -- Luke 24:47

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Sama'ria and to the end of the earth. -- Acts 1:8

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. -- Matthew 8:4

Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. -- Matthew 16:20

And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. -- Mark 7:36

And he charged them to tell no one about him. -- Mark 8:30

And he charged him to tell no one; but "go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." -- Luke 5:14

And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. -- Luke 8:56

And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; -- Luke 9:21

Liberal wet dream: Mary of Magdala the wealthy (prostitute) who bankrolled the ministry of Jesus

Repeated here:

"Was it mere chance that Mary Magdalene lived there? Or might something have been afoot in Magdala that helped turn her into one of Jesus’s most devoted acolytes—a woman who funds his work out of her own wealth and follows him all the way to the cross, and the tomb, in Jerusalem, even as other disciples abandon him?"

To wit: it's easy to preach to others to sell everything you own and give to the poor when you have a sugar momma in your corner.

Actually the evidence is that many women followed him and put their possessions, whatever they were, at his disposal in obedience to his teaching. There is no prejudice in the term "substance" as if it described great wealth, average wealth, or poverty.

"And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others [females], which ministered unto him of their substance."

-- Luke 8:1ff.

To inherit eternal life Jesus wanted people to do something, but Paul wanted people to believe something

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ... Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

-- Matthew 19:16, 21

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? ... Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

-- Mark 10:17, 21

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?... Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

-- Luke 18:18, 22

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

-- Acts 16:29ff.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

-- Romans 10:9

. . . it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

-- 1 Corinthians 1:21

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

-- 1 Corinthians 15:2

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

-- Mark 16:16 (from the longer ending verses 9-20, clearly not original but in keeping with the apostolic emphasis)

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

-- Luke 8:12 (the last clause is missing in the versions by Matthew and Mark and is perhaps evidence of the influence of Paul et alia upon Luke)

Income Inequality As Taught By The Gospels Increases Dramatically At The Last Judgment

The End must be near since perfect income inequality (1.0) is closer now than when we first believed.

And he answered them, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

-- Matthew 13:11f.

So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

-- Matthew 25:28ff.

For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

-- Mark 4:25

Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest? And he said to those who stood by, Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds. (And they said to him, Lord, he has ten pounds!) I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

-- Luke 19:23ff.

For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.

-- Luke 8:17f.