Matthew 13:44-58

Matthew 13:44-58

This is the third set of three parables Jesus uses to illustrate the response to the kingdom and the consequences of those responses. Finding a treasure buried in the field was a common theme of stories in Jesus' day. The point was not the ethical nature of the actions of the finder, but the joy of the finding. For the joy he sells all he has. We too often talk about the sacrifices we make for the sake of discipleship. Poppycock! It is like trading bologna for steak. Like trading festering swampland for mountain vista. What we give up is so unimportant compared to what we gain that sacrifice is not the word we should use.

The parable of the pearl is a little different. While the treasure can be seen and calculated the pearl is enthralling. This investment might not make good sense financially, but it is so beautiful the merchant has to have it. The merchant is an expert who knows what he is about. But even if it is not a good investment he must have the pearl.

The third parable is like the wheat and the weeds; it is about the division to come at the end. There is no middle ground and at the end there is no opportunity for choice. The "scribe" comment may be a dig at the class of scribes, the professional teachers of Jesus' day or it could be that they only had the old treasure while the follower of the Christ has both the old and the new treasures to share. An element of the old is found in the new. Despite the teachings, the healings, the miracles, the parables and the crowds Jesus faces rejection. The people are startled but that is not the same as committed. They "stumbled over Him" and were "offended by Him" practically it means they had the reaction that is opposite to faith. They could not surrender the little things, in this case their preconceptions, in order to have the greatest thing.

"Lord help me never to hold on to the lesser things so that I miss the greater thing. AMEN"

Matthew 13:24-43

Matthew 13:24 -43

There is no room for neutrality. Beyond that there is an enemy that would derail the kingdom if at all possible. The weeds and the wheat are not strictly about pseudo Christians inside the church. Jesus describes the field as the world. The enemy will plant his agents anywhere he can and use anyone he can. It is important to note who is on which side is not easy to determine; in fact, it is only manifested at the end of the age when the harvesters are sent out.

Before explaining the parable Jesus adds 2 other parables that also focus on growing things: the mustard plant and the yeast. The point of both of these is that great things grow from small beginnings. The great mustard bush, which can be 10 ft. tall, begins as a tiny seed. The references to birds may be reflecting Old Testament images where a tree represents a kingdom and may be teaching about Gentiles coming into the kingdom of God. The yeast and the meal are enough food for 100 people, again a great deal from a very small beginning.

Jesus leaves the people before the explanation of the deeper meaning. What is the connection? All the parables here are about growing. The growths that appear are impressive but can be infiltrated with corruption. The world and the church are mixed and it is only God who is wise enough to bring judgment. However, each of us must be committed and make sure which side we are on. There's no place in the kingdom of God for any who are stumbling blocks or who do evil. The real and authentic cycle begins with the tiniest spiritual spark. Concerning the seed and the yeast with God little is much, but the pseudo disciple is bound for Destruction.

"Lord, bring Your judgment on my heart that I may be growing in this life and be prepared for the day of judgment. AMEN"

Matthew 13:1-23

Matthew 13:1-23

The parable of the four soils begins a series of parables that explains the reaction to Jesus. In the preceding chapters some have followed the Lord, some semi-rejected Him and the parables explains why. There are two teachings, one public and one private. The parable itself is public, but why teach in parables and explain in private? Rather than follow the verse order, consider why Jesus uses parables in the first place.

From this point on, all of Jesus' public teaching will be in the form of parables. Parables are the mysterious proverbs, a wise saying that to outsiders appears only to be stories, but to those with insight, explain the mysteries of the Kingdom. "To you it has been granted." It has been said to make money you must have money; it is the power of the return on investment. It is true spiritually as well. To gain spiritual insight from a parable there must be a spark, a spiritual insight already. The more you have to invest the greater your return. When there are no results from the faithful presenting of the message it is not the fault of the message. It is solely and only the failure of the one hearing. It is not enough to hear there must be God-given understanding. That understanding is given to those who desire it. There has to be some "want to" first, but just a little is enough to start.

As for the parable itself, it is not a remarkable story. By itself it would seem ordinary in the extreme. The disciples knew there was more to it because they had a spiritual spark, but they could not understand the parable yet. The first soil represents those who have no “spark” and no “want to”. The second soil is shallow with only a temporary commitment. When either general or specific hardships come, they pull up and leave. Perhaps they had “want to” for the kingdom only for what they can get out of it. The third soil is preoccupied; it is good soil, but there is not room in the heart for both God and Mammon. They had a spark for something else. The final soil hears and understands, because they want to. If there is even a tiny bit of "want to" then something can be produced.

"Lord, help me to want to be Your's. AMEN"