St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 27a; The lightning.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The sign of the last day) Part 8.  

How is it that we have these words from Christ and yet do not understand their meaning.  Their literal meaning is plain to see but what do we comprehend from their figurative meaning?  Is there more to understand?  Are we missing the truth of what is being said?  Christ often spoke in parables.  He said: "To him who has shall be given, and he shall have abundance, but from him who does not have even that which he has shall be taken away." 

Do we have?  Or do we not have?  That is the question that we should ask ourselves.  Can we understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven that we may have abundance?  Abundance where?  Here on earth or in heaven.  Which do we want?  Which do we desire?  

Christ tells us:  "For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines even to the west," the same will happen when he comes on the last day.  All will know and see, as they see the lightning coming forth.  He will come forth for all to see and know.

There will be no hidden mysteries, no secret meetings no press conferences, no announcements, all will know, and all will see what is plain to see as the lightning in the sky.  His coming will be on the last day.  He told his disciples, and he gives us his message now for all to know and see.  Those who desire to know will see and believe.  For some have and some have not.  And for those who have they will have abundance.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself.  Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verses: 1-2; The Kingdom of Heaven like a marriage feast.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The marriage feast) Part 1.  

The kingdom of heaven is like a feast, a party.  Christ spoke in parables because it was not for them to know the meaning of the word.  Those who wanted to know would search their minds, hearts, and history to obtain a meaning.  Those who thought that they wanted to know would take in the words as they were spoken but would not search for meaning.  Those who did not care would only listen to the words without seeking to know the meaning beyond the words.  To them this was just another story that was told to entertain the crowd.

Many who followed Christ wanted to know, they wanted to understand because they saw him as a prophet, a person of power and influence.  They knew that he spoke the truth because of the many examples and miracles that he performed.  They sought to understand.  They sought to know.  "And Jesus addressed them, and spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who made a marriage feast for his son."  

A marriage feast is a party, with singing and dancing, and wine and music, and laughter and joyous banter, all in the name of the son.  This would be an occasion that everyone would want to attend.  There would be food and free wine and a happy occasion that everyone would remember for a long time.  This is what we live for today, to party.  We work all week long and party on the weekend till the light of dawn.  Tomorrow will never come, or so we hope, for we are having the joy of a lifetime today.

The king wanted to celebrate the marriage of his son, the beginning of a new generation.  For he hoped that from this union would come a son to carry forward the legacy of his family.  And he wanted all to rejoice in this union of son and bride.  Some would come and rejoice.  Some would come and feast.  Some would come and talk of the scandal that they saw at the party.  Then there would be those who would come to find jealousy and enmity at the party.  But for the king there was only joy in his heart for himself and his son and new bride.

This is a parable about the kingdom of heaven.  It gives us a hint of what we can expect after our transition to our next life.  There will be no sorrow.  There will be no pain.  There will be no suffering or regret.  There we will experience the joy of the love of our Father and his son, Christ Jesus.  For he is our joy.  He is our happiness.  He is our truth, all that we have searched for in life.  He is our be all and end all and in him there is no lack for that which we might desire.  For he fulfills all the desires of our hearts, of our souls, and of our spirits.  His light will shine on us and within us and we shall be complete.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in. 

St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verses: 42b; It is wonderful.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Application of the parable) Part 2. 

So now after relating to them all the parables to help them understand their meaning, he tells them outright the applications.  The chief priests and the elders have been given authority over the people that they may shepherd them to the Lord.  But instead of yielding fruit to the Lord they have produced fruit unto themselves.

Christ tells them about the corner stone upon which the temple is built and how it was rejected by the original builders.  Yet a new structure is being erected and he is the corner stone of this new structure.  They can not believe what they are hearing because they believe that they are the rulers of the people.  And he tells them:  'By the Lord this has been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes'? 

History has been re-written.  The foretold is being fulfilled.  That which was spoken about long ago is now here today.  Time is complete and that which was from the past has now come to past.  And we are the ones who stand in the past now future.  The past is history.  The past is long ago.  The past is not new and does not apply to today.  Yet there were witnesses who were there in the past.  There were witnesses who saw and lived in the past.  And there were those who lived the true meaning of the past.

Today is today.  We live in today.  And yet the past was so long ago that we must make sense of the past today.  We must find a way to make sense of the past into today.  We must find a way to believe in today and not in the past.  But the Lord said that it was good that the past is now the new.  He said that the rejected corner stone had become the new corner stone upon which a new structure would be built.

Are we a part of the new structure?  Do we rationalize the witnesses of the past that we may believe in today?  Are we the vine-dressers who want to hold unto that which is not ours to have.  The fruit is plentiful.  The wine is rich.  The master calls for the fruit of the vineyard.  Do we submit to his will or do we reject his claim to what is his property.  He paid the price.  He gave his life.  He suffered and died.  He arose again to demonstrate the power of God our Father and creator.  The past is now today and the corner stone has been laid.  Come, be a part of the new structure in the kingdom of heaven.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in. 

St. Matthew, Chapter 20, verse: 16b, Those that are called and those that are chosen.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the laborers in the vineyard)
Part 25. 

We started this chapter with Christ teaching his disciples about the kingdom of heaven.  He uses parables to get his message across to those who have ears to hear, those who have open minds, those who have not been influenced.  This particular parable is about laborers.  It is about the need for workers.  It is about agreements, and wages or rewards.  It is about generosity, and rights, about influence and anger and disagreements with the one who has the right to make a decision.

God made man and decided to be generous with his grace.  He created the angels and the principalities first before man.  Man does not have the same power and majesty as the angels but God our Father still loves us as he does all his creations.  Christ told his disciples that the kingdom of heaven is like a house-holder who went out to hire laborers to work in his vineyard.  He had a right to do so.  He had a need to do so.  He has the resources to do so.  Yet at the end of the day others decided that he was wrong in the way that he dispensed his generosity.  As the parable ends Christ says that:  "For many are called, but few are chosen."

What does it mean to be chosen?  Who are they who are called and for what?  Does God have a special purpose for each of us?  What is his plan and who are the participants?  These are questions that may come to mind as we think about this parable.  For the words of Christ are living words that have meaning and purpose.  They are written for our direction, for our understanding, for our knowledge and our wisdom.  If we seek to know, to understand, to believe, to trust then we must seek the meanings of these words.  Those meanings will not come from outside.  They will not come from others.  They will only come from the light Christ has given us within the will guide us and teach us on a daily basis.

For we are the children of the living God.  He gave each of us life.  At some point in each of our lives we have contemplated why we are here.  We have asked the question: "Why was I born?"  And we have sought to give meaning to that question that we may live our lives.  For we were born out of love.  We were given life out of grace.  And we were restore to life out of passion.  And yet we live not know the inner self, the inner life, the inner light that comes from the Father.  He is our purpose.  He is our passion.  He is our meaning of life.

And life has no meaning without him.  We can strive for all physical life has to offer.  We can reach the mountain top and live high above all the rest.  We can achieve lofty goals in life only to find that nothing has meaning in the physical.  And if we choose not to recognize, not to understand, we choose to die without meaning, without purpose, without love.  For it is the love of the Father that overcomes all.  It is the love of the Father that fulfills all.  It is the love of the Father that is all to the life that we have.  And without that love nothing has meaning. 

We live and we die and darkness takes the rest.  But with the Father, life continues.  With the Father, love abides.  With the Father, physical life is but a shell that is shed upon death and the doors to the kingdom are open that we may know ourselves as we truly are known, spiritual beings who belong to the Father.  Awaken to the truth of who you are within.  Christ has given us the key.  He has told us how to see.  All we have to do is open our eyes and behold what is within us.  The joy, the peace, the love awaits your awakening.  Come!  Open your eye and see!

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 53 - 54, Christ teaching in his own country

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus at Nazareth) Part 1.   

Christ has finished teaching in parables.  He has finished talking in stories.  He leaves the people and he and his disciples move on from that place.  And as St Matthew tells us in his gospel,  And it came to pass when Jesus had finished these parables, that he set out from that place.  And when he had come to his own country, he began to teach them in their synagogues. 

So Christ has moved on from the multitudes that met him in the countryside.  He has traveled on from the hundreds and thousands who came to see him, to touch him, to be healed by him.  Now he seeks his own in the synagogues and villages where he grew up.  For they knew him as a child.  They watched him play in the streets.  They knew of his brothers and sisters.  They knew his parents Mary and Joseph.  And they saw him as an ordinary child.  They did not see him as a teacher.  They did not see him as a prophet.  They did not see him as a man of wisdom.  For he was just an ordinary child.  They did not see him as the Messiah.  For they could only see him as an ordinary person.

And they were astonished when he taught.  They were unbelieving when they heard him speak.  They were unknowing when they heard his words of wisdom, for they knew him as an ordinary man.  They did not see him as a miracle worker.  They did not see him as a man of God.  They did not see him as the Son of God because they could only see him as an ordinary man.  Some were proud.  Some were learned.  Some were educated.  Some were wealthy.  Some were wise.  Some were prudent.  And many were just ordinary people.  But they could not believe that this man, this ordinary person, this miracle worker, came from their village, from their town, from their midst with the knowledge of the kingdom.   So they were astonished, and said, "How did this man come by this wisdom and  these miracles?"

They only saw him as an ordinary man.  They did not believe.  They did not understand.  They could not see.  For astonishment had taken their eyes.  Astonishment had taken their ears.  Astonishment had taken their hearts and they could not believe.  Walk in the way of the Lord and astonishment will come on your hills.  It will affect the people closest to you.  It will close their eyes and block their ears that they will not hear the message of the kingdom.  For they see you as the person.  They see the liar, the thief, the adulterer, the cheat, the blasphemer.  But, they do not see the Christ in you.  For it is Christ who transforms us.  It is Christ who heals us.  It is Christ who delivers us from the bondage of Satan.  It is Christ that gives us new life in him that we may no longer be that which we were.  They will say, "How did this man come by this wisdom?"  They will say how is it that this man performs these miracles?"  Will you become a miracle worker for Christ?  Come!  Be transformed by Christ that you may have his wisdom.

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, 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, 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: 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: 14 - 15, The Prophecy fulfilled.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The disciples ask why He speaks in parables) Part 4.  

Christ had spoken to the people.  He told his disciples that they were chosen because to them the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven was given.  But to the rest of the people it was not given.  And what was given, more will be added in abundance.  But for those who do not have, those for whom it is not given, even that which they have will be taken away.  They do not understand.  Their eyes have been closed.  Their hearing has been blocked. And their perception is lost.  They do not understand the lessons that Christ is giving them that will bring them to salvation.  The evil one has blocked them from receiving the kingdom.

This is why Christ said,  "In them is being fulfilled the prophecy of Isaias, who says, 'Hearing you will hear but not understand; and seeing you will see but not perceive.' "   So Christ and the disciples sit and watch as the prophecy is being fulfilled.  They watch as the people come and go without a hint of understanding.  For they did not come for salvation.  They came for an outing.  They came for a show.  They came to be entertained.  And Christ speaks to them in parables, in stories because they did not understand the meaning of his words.

The evil one has completed his work.  He has possessed the people.  He controls the people such that they do his will.  He has closed their ears that they cannot hear and be saved.  He has closed their eyes that they cannot see the glory of Christ and be healed.  He has possessed the hearts of men that darkness covers them and they unable to receive the light of Christ.  Christ said, "For the heart of this people has been hardened, and with their ears they have been hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest at any time they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears and understand with their mind, and be converted, and I heal them."  

We live in a world that possesses us, that takes hold of us, that demands our all.  We have all sorts of new glittering gadgets that keep us drawn into this world.  Carrots on a stick that keep us from waking up from the dream that we are in.  We must have more money.  We must have a good job.  We must buy the right clothes, cars, homes, to live right in this world.  The glitter of this world blinds us from the true wealth that we are given through Christ.  Just as the people fulfilled the prophecy of Isaias then, we are fulfilling it today.  Our churches are filled with people who consider it their weekly duty to go and listen to a pastor tell them how they do not measure up to the kingdom.  After the service we go back into the dream not realizing the message that we were just given by our pastors.  Yet another week goes by and we go back into the rut that we have created for ourselves, thinking that we can make our dreams come true in this world.  After all we are shown in pictures, in words, in live examples others who live the kind of life we want for ourselves.  We are blinded by the world, we are tricked, we are led by the carrot, and the prophecy is being fulfilled.

Scriptures pass by us, daily but we do not see nor do we hear the message.  The world has taken away our sight and our hearing.  We seek not the kingdom because we seek the world.  And yet all that is in the world is already given to us in heaven.  If we would only receive it we would understand the meaning of those that have.  For they will have abundance.  And those that have not, even that which they do have will be taken away.  Heed the message.  Open your eyes.  Pray for the scales to be lifted from your eyes.   Ask to have the plugs removed from your ears that you may hear, that you may perceive, that you may be healed.  Seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and you will be given.  And you will have abundance!

St Matthew, Chapter 13, verse: 13, The why is given.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The disciples ask why He speaks in parables) Part 3. 

The disciples have questioned Christ as to the why of his change in teaching.  They wanted to know why he was teaching in parables.  They wanted to understand why he did not teach directly to the people as he did before.  Christ explains to them that they are given to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to others it is not given.  For to him who has more will be given and he shall have abundance.  But to him who does not have even that which he has will be taken away.  And now the disciples understand the why and the wherefore.  Some have and some have not.  Some will hear and some will not.  Some will receive and some will not.  And some will understand and have abundance and some will not.

Christ explains,  "This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, neither do they understand."   So the people are deaf and dumb to the teachings of Christ.  Precious words of wisdom are wasted.  Knowledge of the kingdom go unheeded.  And there is no understanding.  For some have come for healing.  Some have come for show.  Some have come to be entertained.  And some have come to destroy, to kill, and to steal.  But Christ looks out over the crowd and his heart is filled with sorrow.  His great love for the people is wasted.  His desire to heal the spirit is rejected.  And they do not understand. 

They see him but do not.  They hear him but do not.  They understand his words but do not.  They are lost without hope.  For the evil one has closed their eyes that they do not see.  He has block their hearing that they do not hear and understand.  He has stolen their opportunity for redemption and they do not understand what is being lost.  For they are lost without hope.  Christ does not teach to them.  He teaches through them.  He teaches to the soul.  He calls the inner man to wake and come to life.  He calls the spirit to receive the life that he gives.  He reaches out a hand that they may understand that he is there to help cure their pain, to help give hope, to bring peace into their lives, to give joy to their soul, and to re-establish the kingdom within them that they may know the one true God who loves them.

Can you hear the message or are you asleep?  Can you see the signs or are you blinded by the darkness within?  Christ calls you.  He speaks to the inner man to awake.  He calls to the soul to come to life.  He brings to the body peace and joy in the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven.  Can you hear him?  Can you see him through the darkness?  He is calling you.  Awake! Arise! And come to life in Christ!