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!
