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.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
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?
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?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
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.
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.
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