Parable of the Leaven Matthew 13: 33; Luke 13: 20 - 21. 1st Post.
The Kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.
This was spoken by Jesus 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. This parable goes along with the rest of the parables in this chapter. Where growth takes place in a world of good and evil, and the kingdom of heaven here reflects this. This parable has a little twist to it though. Most places in the Bible, where leaven appears it is only negative. Even when Jesus is battling with the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus calls them leaven. In this parable, Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven. What Jesus is saying, that in a world that is already bad (full of leaven) The Kingdom of Heaven, represents good leaven. Like regular leaven, it takes only a small amount to change the whole lump. Jesus calls on us as believer's to be salt and light, and now leaven. When we let our light, salt and leaven, show it does not take many of us to make a difference. If you think about this, light, salt and leaven produce action. You think light does not make a difference? Try lighting one match in a pitch dark room, you will be surprised how much light one match gives off. The same thing with salt, it does not take much salt to flavor meat, or food. Not much leaven is needed to affect the lump. The Kingdom of Heaven on earth will contain both good and bad, but the Kingdom of Heaven in Heaven will contain only true believer's. Are you real?? Or are you just hanging out?? Only you and God Know!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
561st Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parbles Growing the Kingdon Con't. - Parble of the Mustard Seed Con't. 3rd Post - Matthew 13: 31 - 32.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Continued 3rd post - Matthew 13: 31 - 32.
We left the 2nd post talking about how the birds have a negative bearing on the story. If you listen to the words of Jesus, He always talks about the narrow road, or the narrow gate, and the fact that few will find it. Jesus message is always the same concerning this. The same is here as well. Commentaries usually only focus on the positive part of Jesus message in the parables. The ugly fact is that the Kingdom of Heaven reflects the world, and we have folks who are not fully committed to all of Jesus' Words, the Kingdom of Heaven will have these unbelieving folks as part of their attendance roles. It is interesting that Jesus foresaw this and told us about this fact in His parables. This is a big problem for us even today, because we can not see the hearts of all the people who attend Church. This is why Jesus told us to look at the fruits of people instead of listening to just their words. Churches are more interested in teaching milk, than solid food. Solid food takes more study on behalf of the teachers and makes it harder for a canned presentation. If you look at this blog, I have tried to present the Bible almost exclusively, and only comment to try to make the Bible easier to understand. Milk does not teach the necesssity of walking the walk, along with talking the talk. This is what living the Christian life is. Bible study should educate you in what Jesus Said and also how to apply it to your life. If you can not apply it, what is the good of learning it. A Christian's life should be a work in progress, becoming more like Jesus everyday. So when you die you are the most like Jesus you can be, until God completes that work in you. Are you part of the Mustard plant? Or are you a Bird? Only you can answer that, and make a change if you need to.
We left the 2nd post talking about how the birds have a negative bearing on the story. If you listen to the words of Jesus, He always talks about the narrow road, or the narrow gate, and the fact that few will find it. Jesus message is always the same concerning this. The same is here as well. Commentaries usually only focus on the positive part of Jesus message in the parables. The ugly fact is that the Kingdom of Heaven reflects the world, and we have folks who are not fully committed to all of Jesus' Words, the Kingdom of Heaven will have these unbelieving folks as part of their attendance roles. It is interesting that Jesus foresaw this and told us about this fact in His parables. This is a big problem for us even today, because we can not see the hearts of all the people who attend Church. This is why Jesus told us to look at the fruits of people instead of listening to just their words. Churches are more interested in teaching milk, than solid food. Solid food takes more study on behalf of the teachers and makes it harder for a canned presentation. If you look at this blog, I have tried to present the Bible almost exclusively, and only comment to try to make the Bible easier to understand. Milk does not teach the necesssity of walking the walk, along with talking the talk. This is what living the Christian life is. Bible study should educate you in what Jesus Said and also how to apply it to your life. If you can not apply it, what is the good of learning it. A Christian's life should be a work in progress, becoming more like Jesus everyday. So when you die you are the most like Jesus you can be, until God completes that work in you. Are you part of the Mustard plant? Or are you a Bird? Only you can answer that, and make a change if you need to.
560th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables Growing the Kingdom Con't. - Parable of the Mustard Seed Con't. 2nd Post - Matthew 13: 31 - 32.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Matthew 13: 31 - 32 Continued 2nd post.
All of the parables in this chapter start with the Kingdom of Heaven is like... As you become more familiar with the Gospels and the words of Jesus, you will come to understand that Jesus used this phrase to describe the Kingdom of Heaven in Heaven, the Kingdom of Heaven as it grows in the world; and the Kingdom of Heaven in your heart. Jesus does not tell you which Kingdom of Heaven He is talking about, He believes you will come to understand which by the context of the rest of His message. Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of Heaven in the world in this parable. The choice of the Mustard seed is to describe the size of its beginning. You remember it started with Jesus then Andrew and John and grew from there. Jesus chose the Mustard plant to describe His follower's because they will grow in numbers, but will never be the size of trees, trees being the Nations of the World. Even the Nations of the World, that say they are "Christian", have not always followed the ways of Jesus. When birds are mentioned in the Bible, most of the time it is not in a good light. In the parable of the Sower, the birds were followers of the evil one and came to destroy the seed that fell on the road. Birds in this parable that nest in the Mustard Tree, are also followers of the evil one, and they prey on the fruit of the Mustard Plant, and use the branches for refuge. It is the same today. I have run out of space again. Continued next post.
All of the parables in this chapter start with the Kingdom of Heaven is like... As you become more familiar with the Gospels and the words of Jesus, you will come to understand that Jesus used this phrase to describe the Kingdom of Heaven in Heaven, the Kingdom of Heaven as it grows in the world; and the Kingdom of Heaven in your heart. Jesus does not tell you which Kingdom of Heaven He is talking about, He believes you will come to understand which by the context of the rest of His message. Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of Heaven in the world in this parable. The choice of the Mustard seed is to describe the size of its beginning. You remember it started with Jesus then Andrew and John and grew from there. Jesus chose the Mustard plant to describe His follower's because they will grow in numbers, but will never be the size of trees, trees being the Nations of the World. Even the Nations of the World, that say they are "Christian", have not always followed the ways of Jesus. When birds are mentioned in the Bible, most of the time it is not in a good light. In the parable of the Sower, the birds were followers of the evil one and came to destroy the seed that fell on the road. Birds in this parable that nest in the Mustard Tree, are also followers of the evil one, and they prey on the fruit of the Mustard Plant, and use the branches for refuge. It is the same today. I have run out of space again. Continued next post.
559th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parables about Growth in the Kingdom Con't. - Parable of the Mustard Seed 1st Post - Matthew 13: 31 -32.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Matthew 13: 31 - 32; Mark 4: 30 - 32; Luke 13: 18 - 19; 1st post.
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than all the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. To try to understand this parable, you need to look at all the parables mentioned in Chapter 13 of Matthew. Some of these parables Jesus explained to His disciples, you should remember what Jesus applied to the parables He explained, and apply the same meaning here. In all the parables in this chapter, the man is Jesus, this is true here as well. The Mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds known. When the Mustard seed reaches maturity, it can be almost 10 feet tall. This would make it seem like a tree to the other herbs, but is dwarfed by the regular trees. A 10 foot tree would be considered a sapling (an immature tree). The birds of the air come and nest in its branches. If you have read all the parables mentioned in Matthew Chapter 13, you will notice that every one has a negative aspect to it. The same goes here as well. I am running out of space for this post and will have to continue next post.
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds, but when it is grown it is greater than all the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly Ministry. To try to understand this parable, you need to look at all the parables mentioned in Chapter 13 of Matthew. Some of these parables Jesus explained to His disciples, you should remember what Jesus applied to the parables He explained, and apply the same meaning here. In all the parables in this chapter, the man is Jesus, this is true here as well. The Mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds known. When the Mustard seed reaches maturity, it can be almost 10 feet tall. This would make it seem like a tree to the other herbs, but is dwarfed by the regular trees. A 10 foot tree would be considered a sapling (an immature tree). The birds of the air come and nest in its branches. If you have read all the parables mentioned in Matthew Chapter 13, you will notice that every one has a negative aspect to it. The same goes here as well. I am running out of space for this post and will have to continue next post.
Monday, September 3, 2012
558th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables - New Section - Growing the Kingdom - My Comments.
Parables New Section Growing the Kingdom 1st Post - My Comments
The parables we will be looking at in this section are:
The Mustard Seed
Leaven
Natural Growth
In the last section we were looking at Parables that dealt with the cost of Membership in the Kingdom.
Jesus told parables because it was prophesied that the Messiah would talk and teach with parables. I believe that we concentrate more on what the parable is about, than in trying to understand why Jesus told this parable at this time in His Ministry. I believe this is just as important as trying to explain the meaning of the parables. We have to remember that Jesus lived during the time of the Gentiles, part of the punishment the Jews are living under and is tied to their unbelief and will not last forever. The Bible states that after the time of the Gentiles, the Jews will again find favor with God and be restored. Isaiah foretold that during the time of the Gentiles, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Isaiah 6: 9 - 10. During the time of the Gentiles, the Jews will not understand God's Truth. Jesus was only fulfilling His part of this prophecy.
This is just another way, Jesus proved He was Who He said He was. It also proves that the Bible is the Word of God, the whole book, not just one section or the other. We will start with the Parable of the Mustard Seed next Post.
The parables we will be looking at in this section are:
The Mustard Seed
Leaven
Natural Growth
In the last section we were looking at Parables that dealt with the cost of Membership in the Kingdom.
Jesus told parables because it was prophesied that the Messiah would talk and teach with parables. I believe that we concentrate more on what the parable is about, than in trying to understand why Jesus told this parable at this time in His Ministry. I believe this is just as important as trying to explain the meaning of the parables. We have to remember that Jesus lived during the time of the Gentiles, part of the punishment the Jews are living under and is tied to their unbelief and will not last forever. The Bible states that after the time of the Gentiles, the Jews will again find favor with God and be restored. Isaiah foretold that during the time of the Gentiles, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Isaiah 6: 9 - 10. During the time of the Gentiles, the Jews will not understand God's Truth. Jesus was only fulfilling His part of this prophecy.
This is just another way, Jesus proved He was Who He said He was. It also proves that the Bible is the Word of God, the whole book, not just one section or the other. We will start with the Parable of the Mustard Seed next Post.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
557th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of Treasures Old and New Con't. 2nd Post - Matthew 13: 52.
Parable of Treasures Old and New Continued - 2nd post.
I left off last post with Galatians 1: 8 -9, which is a very strong warning for all of us who are trying to teach the truth. Jesus holds teachers more accountable, then our students because to him much is given, to him much is required. Jesus wants His Message Preached Completely, not just the parts teachers like, or the parts they feel they can fulfill. This was the disconnect Jesus had with the religious leaders of His day. They taught the Scriptures according to their own understanding, and not God's. It is very easy for teachers to fall into this situation. Teachers are looked to to tell our listener's the Truth. We live in a world where the common belief is that truth is relative, THIS IS NOT GOD'S TRUTH!!! This is why Jesus can make the claim "I am the Resurrection and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." Those words do not seem to have any room for other ways. This is God's Truth! As you proceed through your walk with Jesus, you will appreciate the Old Testament prophecies that pointed to Jesus birth and continue to point to Jesus Second Coming. The prophecies made in the New Testament, do not change the prophecies made in the Old Testament, but provide more information. This is what this parable is about, Treasures Old and New, you need both to have a complete treasure. What does your Treasure Chest look like? Only one kind Old or New?? If so, the Scriptures provide for what you are missing.
I left off last post with Galatians 1: 8 -9, which is a very strong warning for all of us who are trying to teach the truth. Jesus holds teachers more accountable, then our students because to him much is given, to him much is required. Jesus wants His Message Preached Completely, not just the parts teachers like, or the parts they feel they can fulfill. This was the disconnect Jesus had with the religious leaders of His day. They taught the Scriptures according to their own understanding, and not God's. It is very easy for teachers to fall into this situation. Teachers are looked to to tell our listener's the Truth. We live in a world where the common belief is that truth is relative, THIS IS NOT GOD'S TRUTH!!! This is why Jesus can make the claim "I am the Resurrection and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." Those words do not seem to have any room for other ways. This is God's Truth! As you proceed through your walk with Jesus, you will appreciate the Old Testament prophecies that pointed to Jesus birth and continue to point to Jesus Second Coming. The prophecies made in the New Testament, do not change the prophecies made in the Old Testament, but provide more information. This is what this parable is about, Treasures Old and New, you need both to have a complete treasure. What does your Treasure Chest look like? Only one kind Old or New?? If so, the Scriptures provide for what you are missing.
556th Post Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - Parable of Treasures Old and New - 1st Post Matthew 13: 52.
Parable of Treasures Old and New - Matthew 13: 52 - 1st Post.
Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out his treasure things new and old.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. It is part of a cluster of parables He told concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. In the earlier ones we have been looking at, Jesus was using the parable to describe what the Kingdom of Heaven is and how precious the Way to the Kingdom of Heaven is. Jesus is telling the teacher's of His Word, to make sure they are teaching the whole message, not just part of it. The treasures "Old", are the Truths laid out in the Scriptures, starting with Moses in Genesis and going throughout the Old Testament. The Treasures "New", are the Truths laid out by Jesus and His Apostles as recorded in the New Testament. These are the treasures old and new. Galatians 1: 8 -9 says: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. I am running out of space so will continue next post.
Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out his treasure things new and old.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1 - 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. It is part of a cluster of parables He told concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. In the earlier ones we have been looking at, Jesus was using the parable to describe what the Kingdom of Heaven is and how precious the Way to the Kingdom of Heaven is. Jesus is telling the teacher's of His Word, to make sure they are teaching the whole message, not just part of it. The treasures "Old", are the Truths laid out in the Scriptures, starting with Moses in Genesis and going throughout the Old Testament. The Treasures "New", are the Truths laid out by Jesus and His Apostles as recorded in the New Testament. These are the treasures old and new. Galatians 1: 8 -9 says: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. I am running out of space so will continue next post.
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