Our parables continue as Jesus is addressing the crowds He is still teaching on the lake while sitting on his boat. The crowds must have been there for a while, He has lots to tell them.
He begins each parable saying, “The Kingdom of heaven is like…” He has six more stories to tell them. Here they are:
The Weeds: He begins telling them about a man sowing good seeds in his field. Then while everyone is sleeping, his enemy comes and “Sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.” (Matthew 13: 25)
- The people of the Kingdom will live side by side with the people of the evil one. Know which kingdom you belong to, to be gathered and brought into the barn.
The Mustard Seed: A man planted a tiny mustard seed in his field. Though it’s the smallest of all the seeds, it will become the largest of all the plants grown, with large branches for others to come and nest.
- The seeds that we plant may seem insignificant to us but may produce a harvest that will expand to the nations, for others to come and nest on.
The Yeast: A woman mixed a small amount of yeast into a large amount of flour and worked it through the dough.
- The small amount of yeast mixed in has the potential to permeate and spread through a person’s life and allow the Holy Spirit to produce that inner work.
The Hidden Treasure: When a man found a hidden treasure in a field, he hid it again. Then joyfully sold all that he had and bought that field.
- What we think we are protecting and hiding as a treasure, sometimes requires us to give it away to see our best return–God’s return. Invest wisely in the Kingdom of God.
The Pearl: A merchant was looking for fine pearls. When “He found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13: 45-46)
- Sometimes the most valuable thing we are looking for comes to us at a price. Jesus, our “Pearl of Great Price,” came to us at a great cost. It cost Him His life.
The Net: A net that is let down into a lake catches many fish. When it is full, the fishermen will pull it up and gather. The good ones will be separated from the bad ones.
- Separation from the bad ones is good. It keeps us safe in the end. Seeing the do’s and don’ts helps us in our walk.
Yes, there are “do’s and don’ts” in life that keep us strong. As I read through the various laws, I see more things listed we should not do, than I see that we should do. The two things we should do that I found in the Old Testament that are also in the New Testament, are:
“Be holy because I, the Lord your God; am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19: 18b)
Living the Christian life requires discipline. “Discipline your son and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.” (Proverbs 29: 17)
If we live in the commandment of Love One Another, we will carry out the Kingdom of Heaven, here on the earth. Live, laugh, and love as He did!
(Matthew 13: 24-58, Proverbs 29, Leviticus 19, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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