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.