St Matthew, Chapter 13, verse: 51, The Kingdom of Heaven: Understanding.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Conclusion of the parables) Part 1.   

The kingdom of heaven is like.  This is the message that Christ has given to his disciples.  He wants them to understand what the kingdom of heaven is like.  He wants them to know the truth of the kingdom.  He wants them to have wisdom of the kingdom.  He wants them to perceive the wisdom of his words that they may convey to others the message of the kingdom.  For they will be the messengers.  They will be the healers.  They will be the miracle workers after Christ has finished his work here on earth.  Theirs is the task of being the teachers to all the world through the message of Christ.

The disciples, therefore must have understanding.  The disciples, therefore must have knowledge.  The disciples, therefore must have wisdom before Christ leaves this earth.  So he gives them stories.  He gives them parables.  He gives them sayings that they may be filled with his knowledge.  He gives them the memories that they may remember his words for all eternity.  Then comes the test.  Will they remember?  Will they reply?  Will they convey the message as it was given to them?  So he asks his disciples, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."  

And this is our question today.  Have we understood all these things?  Have we understood the meaning of the sower?  Have we understood the meaning of the weeds?  Have we understood the meaning of the net?  Have we understood the meaning of the pearl of great value?  Have we understood the meaning of the treasure hidden in the field?  Christ asks us to understand.  Christ asks us to hear.  Christ asks us know that we know.  For in these parables lies the wisdom of the kingdom of heaven.  In these parables lies the knowledge of Christ.  In these parables lies the door to our joy and our peace hear on earth.

Christ watched the people as he preached to them.   He saw the state of their minds as he sought to free them from the oppression of the evil.  Yet many were lost.  Many would not perceive.  Many could not understand.  For they had closed their eyes that they may not see.  They had made them deaf that they may not hear.  They had captured their hearts that they were lost in the world and lost to the kingdom of heaven.  Are we the same today?  Are we lost in the world?  Does the world have our eyes blinded, our ears closed, our hearts sealed to the message of the kingdom? 

We are so unaware of the ease with which we are drawn into the world.  We have no understanding of the need to protect our eyes, to protect our ears, to shield our hearts to the attractions of the  world.  We go to movies, we listen to music, we feel in our hearts the things that are given to us that make us feel.  We are drawn into the world without having any understanding of the need to resist.  We have no understanding of the safeguards that must be placed upon our souls to keep the evil one out and to allow the Holy One in.  We are wide open to all that the world offers without any safeguards.  Christ came to give us safeguards.  He came to give us the knowledge of the kingdom that we may have protections for that which is most precious and dear, our souls. 

Yet the world presents an almost irresistible attraction that most will not resist, most will not protect, most will not understand the need to guard against.  And once we travel down the wide path, the door is closed that we may not return to that which we have lost.  The door is closed so that we fall into the dream of the world and are trapped into an eternity of damnation.  Wake up from the world!!  Guard your souls!  Protect what is precious and shut out the evil one from your life that he may not trick you to take the wide path that leads to destruction.  Christ is here for you.  Christ is waiting for you.  The Holy Spirit will walk with you, if you only let him.  Come!  Walk the narrow road and take back what is yours!

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 49-50, The Kingdom of Heaven: The coming Separation of the Wicked and the Just

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the net) Part 2. 

The net will gather all.  The kingdom of heaven is like a net that is cast into the sea and when it is full it is taken up and the fish are separated.  The good fish are kept and the bad fish are cast away.  All are captured in the net.  All are brought to shore.  All are separated.  This is the parable that Christ tells his disciples that they may understand the coming of the kingdom of heaven and the separation that will take place.  The wicked will be separated from the just.  The workers of iniquity will be separated from the those who do good.  The fruit will be separated from the weeds and all will be judged according to their works.

Christ tell his disciples that they may know and understand the truth of the kingdom.  He tells them stories and parables that they may have the wisdom of the kingdom.  He gives them knowledge that they may be able to past their knowledge upon those who will follow them.  For they will be the new shepherds.  They will be the new leaders.  They will be the messengers of Christ after his work is finished.  So, he wants them to have clear understanding and knowledge of the kingdom of heaven. 

He concludes his parable by telling the disciples of the end times.  He says, "So will it be at the end of the world. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the just, and will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth.

The prophecy has been spoken.  Time will reveal the truth of its making.  The angels will come and separate but the net will capture all.  Will you be among the just or will you be among the wicked?  The furnace of fire awaits the separation.  Our God is a loving God.  He wants all to be separated into the just.  He wants no one to be put into the furnace of fire.  This is the why of the prophecy that is given to us today that we may understand.  This is the why of the prophecy that is given to us today that we may know.  This is the why of the prophecy that is given to us today that we may have the wisdom of the kingdom of heaven.  Will you heed the message?  Will you take action today to receive the kingdom?  Find your treasure.  Find your pearl of great value.  Be the good seed that Christ has planted in you.  They all await your search.  They all await your finding.  They all await you receiving that you may have joy and peace here and now, today, on this earth.  For the advodcate waits at your door.  Open and let him in.

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 47 - 48, The Kingdom of Heaven: Like a Net.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the net) Part 1. 

Christ continues his comparisons of the kingdom of heaven.  He gives his disciples many examples that they may understand the truth of the kingdom.  For they will be the messengers.  They will be the teachers.  They will be the miracle workers, the healers, the ones who cast out demons.  So, he continues to give them truths of the kingdom of heaven.  He tells them stories.  He tells them parables.  He tells them of things that are hidden since the foundation of the world.  Some will understand.  Some will comprehend.  Some will be lost.  Let he who has ears, hear.

Christ tells them of another parable.  This time he talks of fishing, something that the disciples understand since they were already fishermen.  They came from a background of fishing, because this is how they made their living before he called them.  They cast their nets into the sea and caught fish.  Sometimes they caught great fish.  Sometimes they caught small fish.  Sometimes they caught fish that they did not want.  But their lives revolved around fishing. 

Christ says to them,  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea that gathered in fish of every kind.  When it was filled, they hauled it out, and sitting on the beach, they gathered the good fish into vessels, but threw away the bad."

All are gathered for the harvest, Christ tells his disciples.  All are taken in by the net, he wants them to know.  And the separation begins, where the just are separated from the unjust, the good from the evil, those who practice justice from those who practice iniquity.  The net will bring all to judgement.  The weeds will be gathered with the good seeds and the bundles will be set.  For the furnace of fire awaits the weeds and the barns of heaven await the good seed that produced fruit.  Where do you stand?  The net will gather all.  Be aware!  Live not for today!  Live not in this world!  For the net will bring all to judgement.

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 45 - 46, The Kingdom of Heaven: The search of Fine Pearls.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the pearl of great price)  

The kingdom of heaven is like.  Christ continues to tell the disciples about the kingdom of heaven that they may understand truth.  He continues to educate his disciples that they may know the kingdom, that they may see the kingdom, that they may have the wisdom of heaven within themselves to teach others.  For one does not teach what one does not know and Christ wants his disciples to know.  Christ wants his disciples to believe.  Christ wants his disciples to see.  Christ wants his disciples to have wisdom.  For they will carry the message of the kingdom.  They will be the light to shine forth to men.  They will battle the evil in the world and spread the good news of the kingdom of heaven here on earth.

The weeds have already been planted and are growing.  The weeds are growing among the good seeds of the kingdom.  The weeds are wrapping themselves around the fruit of the kingdom and choking the life from the fruit.  But Christ brings life to the seeds.  Christ brings nurturing to the good seeds.  Christ brings love to the good seed that they may know truth in the kingdom.  For the good seed searches for truth.  The good seed seeks to know.  The good seed desires to possess the kingdom that is buried deep within them.  Christ tells another parable about the kingdom.  He says, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.   When he finds a single pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." 

The kingdom of heaven is like.  The good seed seeks the fine pearls.  The good seed seeks the treasure in the field.  The good seed seeks the truth.  The good seed seeks all that is Christ.  The good seed seeks love.  The good seed seeks peace.  The good seed seeks happiness.  The good seed seeks patience.  The good seed seeks humility.  The good seed seeks the wisdom of the kingdom of heaven.  The good seed seeks all that is Christ.  The good seed seeks faith.  The good seed seeks hope.  The good seed seeks justice.  The good seed seeks the riches of the kingdom of heaven.  What do you seek?

The kingdom of heaven is like.  Christ has given us parables to live by today.  He has given us comparisons.  He has given us a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.  The kingdom is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.  We all seek something in this physical world.  Some seek wealth.  Some seek truth.  Some seek knowledge.  Some seek understanding.  Some seek peace.  Some seek love.  Some seek those things that would satisfy their inner needs and cravings. 

We think that if we just had the good things of life that we would be happy.  So, we seek those things that we think will bring us happiness, i.e., more money, fine clothes, beauty, physical prowess, marketable talents, a loving mate, the typical family, power, influence, etc.  All these things we seek to fulfill our inner needs that we believe will satisfy us.  So, in many ways we too are like merchants seeking fine pearls.  When we find our desired worldly pearls we sell everything to own it.  We sell ourselves to own that which we seek, be it a  well paid position, wealth, power, influence.  All the things that our hearts desire, we sell ourselves to them that we may own them. 

Yet these things are worldly and satisfy only temporarily.  They are like the mist that evaporates when the sun comes out.  Wealth and money buy things but do not buy permanence.  Power and influence are of this world and last as long as we are in it.  All these things are here today and gone tomorrow.  Yet these are the things that we seek to fill our inner needs.  The kingdom of heaven is like.  What pearls do you seek?  Do you seek the pearls of the kingdom or do you seek the pearls of the world?  Do you give all to own the pearls of the world or would you sell all to own the pearls of the kingdom?   Which do you value?

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verse: 44, The Kingdom of Heaven: Like a Hidden Treasure.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the treasure).   

Christ continues to create a picture of the kingdom of heaven.  He continues to paint a portrait of the similarities of the kingdom of heaven to those things that people know.  Those who seek will find.  Those who knock will have doors opened to them.  Those who ask will receive.  Christ wants to help the people and his disciples see.  He wants to help them understand.  He wants to help them to know the truth of the kingdom of heaven.  Some will understand.  Some will perceive.  Some will come to know.  Others will hear and not understand.  Others will seek and not find.  Others will not perceive the truth of the message.  The evil one has stolen their hearing.  The evil one has blinded their eyes.  The evil one has taken away their understanding that they may not perceive the truth of the kingdom that they may be healed and come to Christ.

For this reason Christ speaks to the people in parables.  For this reason he tells stories.  For this reason he entertains to some and gives knowledge, hidden since the foundation of the world, to others.  For to those who have more will be given.  And to those who do not have, even that which they do have will be taken away.   Christ tells his disciples,  "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it hides it, and in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

The hidden treasure of the kingdom is waiting to be found, according to Christ.  It is hidden in a field.  Christ said that the field is the world.  He said that the good seed was planted in the world and that the good seed was the sons of the kingdom.  Is he speaking of worldly treasures?  Is Christ talking about gold and gems and diamonds and such, hidden in the ground waiting to be discovered?  Those who find such treasures will sell everything they own to have that field, that piece of land that has the gold, that has the diamonds, that has the precious gems.  They would even sell their own souls to own such wealth.   Some would lie to own it.  Some would kill to own it.  Some would do any and everything to own the treasures of the earth.  Is this the treasure that Christ speaks of in this parable?

Christ has given us this parable that we may know.  He has given us this parable that we may perceive the difference in the world and the kingdom of heaven.  For to those who have more will be revealed.  The kingdom of heaven is like a man who finds a treasure hidden in a field.  What do you treasure?  Men treasure many things, many worldly things.  The sons of the kingdom treasure the true gifts of the kingdom.  Seek and you shall find.  Knock and it shall be opened to you.  Ask and you shall receive.  Have you found your treasure? 

What do you value in the kingdom of heaven?  Is it gold?  Is it diamonds?  Is it jewels?  Or do you treasure things other than worldly gems?  Do you treasure peace?  Do you treasure joy?  Do you treasure love?  Do you treasure happiness?  These are the gifts, the treasures of the kingdom.  They are only available temporarily in the world.  But in the kingdom they are eternally yours.  What do you treasure?  Have you found your treasure?  If you find your treasure will you sell all to own it, now?  Will you give up all to keep it, now?  Your treasure is waiting for you.  Seek and you shall find!  Knock and it shall be opened!  Ask and it shall be given to you!  Be careful what you ask!  Be careful where you seek!  Be careful where you knock that you would have opened!  What do you treasure?

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verse: 43, The Kingdom of Heaven: The Just will shine like the Sun.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the weeds explained) Part 4. 

The prophecy has been made.  The disciples have heard.  The day of the harvest is forecast.  And the weeds will be gathered up and burned in the furnace of fire.  Christ has given the disciples his knowledge, his wisdom and his understanding of the parable of the weeds that they may understand.  He has opened their eyes and their minds so that they may see and perceive the kingdom of heaven.  He has given them a glimpse of the kingdom by his comparisons of things hear on earth that they may know.  They are the messengers.  They will be the tellers of the parables after Christ has finished.  They will be the ones who will carry the torch of new life to the ends of the earth.

Christ finishes the parable by telling them what happens at the very end of the harvest.  There will be rejoicing.  There will be happiness.  There will be great merriment at the coming of the Lord of the harvest.  For he will clean the fields.  He will burn the weeds.  And he will collect the wheat into the barns of his house that there may be a great feast.  For Christ tells them,  Then the just will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  

The just will shine at the end of the harvest.  The darkness will be removed at the end of the harvest.  The weeds will be burned at the end of the harvest.  All the just will rejoice at the end of the harvest for the time of the Lord of the harvest has come.  Christ tells his disciples that they may see.  Christ tells his disciples that they may know.  Christ tells his disciples that they may have the understanding of his wisdom and knowledge of the kingdom of heaven. 

The kingdom of heaven is like a field.  The field is the earth.  The good seeds that are sown are the sons of the kingdom of heaven.  Can you see the kingdom?  Do you understand the kingdom?  The kingdom of heaven is like a sower who goes out and plants good seed in his field.  The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which when planted grows to be the tallest plant in the garden.  The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which when placed in three parts all become leavened.  Do you hear the message?  Do you have the knowledge of the parable of the weeds?  Can you perceive the kingdom of heaven?  It is at hand.  It is near you.  It is in you.  It is part of you.  See the light that shines forth for at the harvest of the just will shine forth like the sun.  And there will be no darkness.  And Christ said,  He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 41 - 42, The Kingdom of Heaven: Removal of Scandals and Workers of Iniquity.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the weeds explained) Part 3.  

The harvest will take place at the end of time.  Christ has fortold to his disciples that the kingdom of heaven will be cleansed of all the weeds and they will be burned in the fire.  Christ has spoken and he wants his diciples to know.  He wants them to understand the meaning of the parable so that they will clearly grasp the truth of the parable.  They are the disciples that will continue to carry the message after Christ's work is finished.  They are the ones who will carry the message of the kingdom of heaven to the people throughout the world.  So they must know.  They must understand.  They must have the wisdom and the knowledge of the kingdom.

The angels will come and gather the wicked.  They will put them in bundles as it is done today in all farms across the world.  Only this time the bundles will be burned.  This time the bundles will be set afire for all to see.  This time the wicked will burn.  Christ tells his disciples, The Son of Man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all scandals and those who work iniquity, and cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth. 

The now know of the harvest.  Christ has told them what will happen at the harvest.  He has shown them that the wicked will be gathered up by the angels and put into the furnace of fire.  And there will be great anguish and tribulation at the harvest for there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Tell the people.  Help them to understand.  Let them know of the forthcoming storm that they may prepare themselves for the coming tribulation.  Those who have ears let them hear.  Those who hear let them understand.  Those who understand let them act that they will not be caught up into the furnace of fire where there is no escape.

Do you understand the parable?  Do you heed its warning?  Christ will come and clean his fields.  Christ will come and gather up all workers of iniquity and scandals.  They will be removed from the kingdom of heaven.  They will be set aside.  They will be burned in the furnace of fire.  And the darkness will be removed from the fields of the kingdom and the just will shine forth.  Do not let the veil of the world blind you from the message.  For the world willl tell you that this will not happen.  The world willl tell you, it did not happen yesterday.  The world willl tell you, it did not happen today.  So, the world willl tell you, it will  not happen tomorrow.  This is what the world will tell you. 

The world will tell you not to worry.  The world will tell you to go back to sleep and continue to work iniquity.  The world will tell you to go back to sleep and continue to walk with Scandal.  The world will tell you to continue to paly with the toys that it provides.  The world will tell you to continue to seek its riches and not the riches of the kingdom of heaven.  But the storm is coming.   The weather man predicts the coming storms and the dangers that they bring.  Christ has fortold the coming of the harvest.  Let all who believe prepare themselves.  Let all who know get ready.  Let all who seek the kingdom understand the forcast given by Christ.  The storm is coming.  Are you prepared?  

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 39 - 40, The Kngdom of Heaven: The Harvest.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the weeds explained) Part 2. 

The disciples sought to know.  They came to Christ and asked for his knowledge.  They came to Christ and sought his understanding of the parables.  They came to Christ and  desired to know his wisdom.  And Christ fed them.  Christ nurtured them.  Christ gave them truth.  The disciples were filled from the unquenchable cup of Christ.  They were overwhelmed with the knowledge that he gave them that they now would know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.  For these things had been hidden since the foundation of the world.  These things were not revealed to those with human knowledge.  These things were not known by the wisdom of the wise.  These things were not found by the prudent.  And the disciples were filled with the truth its presence.

The disciples came and sought, and Christ filled them to satisfaction.  Christ continued to tell of the time of harvest when the wheat would be separated from the weeds.   He said,  But the harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels.  Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burnt with fire, so will it be at the end of the world.

And then the disciples knew.  And then they understood, that, there would be a harvest of souls in the end times.  When the evil one came and sowed weeds in the fields of the kingdom of heaven God allowed them to remain until the end of time.  In that time they will be rooted out and cast into the fire.  And the souls of the just will blossom without the hindrances of the weeds.  Christ told this parable so that those who sought would find.  Those who desired would come to know and those who knew would be prepared in the end times.

The world today does not want us to seek.  This world today does not want us to know.  This world today does not want us to understand.  So, we are entertained.  We are given our rest in the things of the world.  We play in the joys of the world and forget about the kingdom of heaven.  For this is the desire of the weeds that live among us.  They wrap themselves around us and turn us away from the things of heaven.  They provide earthly pleasures that entertain us, that capture our attention, that keep us filled with the things of the earth.  We are blinded by their deceit and we know not the ways of the Lord.  For we do not seek.  We do not desire.  We do not thirst for the wisdom of God. 

We are spoon fed the precepts of the kingdom once a week and accept this as our need for fulfillment.  And then we return to the things of the world which continues to deceive us by its own pleasures.  And we wonder why we cannot find happiness.  We wonder why we cannot find peace.  We wonder why we cannot find permanent joy in this world.  The kingdom of heaven is waiting for you to seek its joys.  The kingdom of heaven is waiting for you to know its happiness.  The kingdom of heaven is waiting for you to find its eternal peace, not tomorrow, not in heaven, but right now, today, if you seek it.  Would you like to know everlasting peace?  Would you like to know eternal joy?  Would you like to know true happiness?  The seed is planted.  Are you good ground?

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 36 - 39, The Kingdom of Heaven: The symbols of the weeds explained.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the weeds explained) Part 1. 

Things have been spoken.  Understanding has been lacking.  Knowledge is missing.  And the people do not know.  Christ has talked about the kingdom of heaven and given several examples of what the kingdom is like.  He talked about the good seed.  He talked about the mustard seed and how it grows and he talked about the leaven and how it spreads to all parts.  Do the people understand?  Do the disciples understand?  Is knowledge given to them that they may know the mysteries of the kingdom?  Christ has finished his preaching and retires to the house.

The disciples follow and inquire of him the meaning of the parable of the weeds.   And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."  So answering them he said, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.  The field is the world; the good seed, the sons of the kingdom; the weeds, the sons of the wicked one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil."  

The disciples wanted to know his words.  They wanted to understand clearly.  They wanted the knowledge of Christ.  There minds sought him.  Their hearts desired his fruit.  So they came and inquired of his wisdom.  And he fed them with rich fruit that they may be satisfied.  He fed them with riches that they may know within their hearts the truth of the kingdom and they were blessed.  Christ loved his disciples.  He was patient with them.  He was loving of them.  He was understanding of their needs.  And he gave bountifully of his heart that theirs would be full.

We live in a world that we know not.  We are consumed by its constant flow, by its constant drive, by its constant movement.  Nothing remains the same.  Everything is changing and we are caught up in the change.  And that is our dilemma, we must keep up or be swept away.  We must constantly know the latest news.  We must constantly see the latest shows.  We must constantly have the latest gadgets.  We must constantly be in a state of change at all times that we may be in the world.  To stop being in the world means to be left behind.  To stop being in the world means not knowing the latest.  To stop being in the world means to fall out of the crowd.  And Christ said, beware the wide path that leads to destruction.  Do not follow the crowd!  Follow the narrow path that leads to life.  Open your heart, open your mind and let Christ feed you, as he did the disciples.  His love is fulfilling.  His knowledge is all knowing.  His understanding is permanent.  And his truth is from the Father of all truth.  Fall out of the world and fall into Christ and he will keep you forever.

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 34 - 35, The Kingdom of Heaven: Things Hidden

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the leaven) Part 2. 

The kingdom of heaven is like.  Christ has compared it to the good seed planted by the sower.  He has compared it to the mustard seed which, when planted, grows to be the tallest herb in the garden.  He has compared the kingdom of heaven to leaven, which, when placed with three parts flour, combines to mix with all parts until  all is leavened.  All speak of growth.  Growth of the seed, growth of the mustard seed, growth of the leaven.  The kingdom of heaven seeks growth.  It seeks to expand.  It seeks to become the tallest, highest, greatest thing in the garden, in God's garden.  

All parables.  All mysteries.  All unclear.  What do these parables mean?  What is Christ telling us about the place that we seek to live out eternity?  The disciples listen to the parables.  The people listen to the parables.  All are bewildered.  All do not understand why he speaks of these things in such a manner that does not allow for clear understanding.   And it was said,  All these
things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and without parables he did not speak to them; that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled,  "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world."  


Since the foundation of the world these things have been.  Since the foundation of the world these truths have been.  Since the foundation of the world this knowledge has been hidden from the wise and the prudent but only revealed to the little ones.  He who has ears let him hear.  He seeks knowledge let him know that through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit all things will be revealed.  He who desires understanding let him meditate on the things that are spoken of since the foundation of the world and more will be revealed.  For it is though the awakening of the spirit and the planting of the seeds of wisdom that one understands.  Human knowledge will not open the doors of understanding.  Human knowledge will not enlighten one to the message of the kingdom.  Through faith in Christ, one begins to know the truths of the Father of all truth.

Christ has given us today a taste of what lies before us.  He has given us in these parables a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.  All reveal growth.  All parables speak of plantings.  We are planted in the world that we live in and so also are the weeds.  Do we grow in the spirit?  Or do we grow in the earth?  Spiritual growth produces fruit.  Spiritual growth affects others as does leaven.  Spiritual growth increases until it becomes the tallest plant in the garden.  And the angels come to dwell in its branches.  Do you have the life of Christ within you?  Or do you have the life of the world in you?  The life of Christ is inclined towards eternal life.  The life of the world is inclined towards death.  There is no middle ground.  Where do you stand?  Where are you planted?

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verse: 33, The Kingdom of Heaven: like Leaven.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the leaven) Part 1. 

Christ continues to talk to the people and his disciples in parables.  His topic is the kingdom of heaven.  He wants the people to have an understanding of the kingdom.  He wants them to know what it is like.  He wants those who hear and understand to be enlightened about the kingdom.  For there are those who came to be entertained.  There are those who came to be healed.  There are those who came to understand.   And there are those who came to destroy.

So, he spoke to the people in parables, for it was not given to all to understand.  It was not given to all to perceive.  It was not given to all to know the mysteries of the kingdom.  Some would hear and understand.  Some would hear and not understand.  Some would hear and be entertained.  And then there are those who would hear and want to correct, to change, to destroy what was being given to the people.   So he spoke in parables.  He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and buried in three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened."

The kingdom of heaven is like a seed.  The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard tree.  The kingdom of heaven is like leaven.   These are the things that Christ spoke to them about the kingdom of heaven.  But did they understand?  Did they know the meaning?  Did they hear the message and perceive?  Take the seed and grow!  Take the mustard tree and grow!  Take the leaven and grow!  Become all that the seed enables you to become.  Produce fruit!  Grow to full potential and you will be the greatest tree in the garden of the kingdom.  Spread the measure of the leaven and you will become part of all.  Hear the message and understand.  The kingdom of heaven is within you.

Christ spoke in parables because he wanted the people who sought the knowledge of the kingdom to search for meaning, to search for understanding, to seek the wisdom of the kingdom.  For to him who has more will be given and to him who does not have even that which he has will be taken away.  Do you seek to understand the kingdom of heaven?  Do you know the meaning of the parables?  Do you desire to understand?  Enlightenment will come to those who seek.  Understanding will call to those who want to know.  Wisdom will follow those who search for the truth.  And the Holy Spirit will teach all to those who know him.  Do you know that you have received the Holy Spirit?  How do you know?  Are you certain or do you just accept what is given you?  Christ has given you the opportunity to know the kingdom today, right now, for those who wish to know.  Come, seek the kingdom and you will understand.

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verse: 31 - 32, The Kingdom of Heaven: Like a Mustard Seed.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the mustard seed) Part 1. 

Christ continues to reveal information about the kingdom of heaven.  He has spoken about the kingdom of heaven as a field that is planted with the good seed.  Now he speaks in another parable about the kingdom of heaven being like a mustard seed.  A mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds.  Yet the plant the comes forth from this seed becomes a giant tree.  Other produce fruit.  The mustard seed produces a giant tree that birds make their nest in. 

Christ tells the crowd and his disciples,  "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field.   This indeed is the smallest of all the seeds; but when it grows up it is larger than any herb and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and dwell in its branches." 

The kingdom of heaven is likened to a seed.  It is like the good seed that a man plants in his field.  It is like a mustard seed that a man plants in his field.  The kingdom of heaven is a seed that is planted within us.  It grows just as a seed grows.  It produces fruit just as the seeds of a fruit tree  or the seed of grain grows to produce fruit.  The kingdom of heaven like an herb that is planted in a garden.  The herb seed grows to produce an herb.  Some are small.  Some are medium sized, but the mustard seed is the the largest herb in the garden.  For when it grows up, it produces a tree that is greater than any other herb in the garden.

Christ speaks to us in a language of planting.  He tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like a seed.  It is planted within us.  And we are the soil that brings forth the life of the seed.  We can bring forth the life of the kingdom.  We can produce the fruit of the kingdom.  In some cases we can produce 30% of the time, or 60% of the time or 100% of the time if the seed is planted in good soil that will nurture the seed and bring forth growth. 

Christ tells us further that the kingdom of heaven is like the seed of a mustard plant.  When planted and grows up it brings forth a tree that is greater than any other herb in the garden.  So now we have two choices of what is in the kingdom of heaven.  We have fruit or grain and we have an herb that produces a giant tree.  Which type of seed are you today?  Are you the result of a fruit seed or are you the result of a mustard seed?  One grows tall and strong where the birds of the air come to rest.  The other produces fruit of the kingdom.  Both are in the kingdom of heaven.  Come, let us prepare our soil for the planting of the seeds from the kingdom of heaven!