Matthew 13 (Part 3 Eternal Treasures)

Eternal Treasures

Is our focus on earthly kingdoms or the kingdom of God? How much do we treasure the things of God? Let’s examine heaven’s treasure in Matthew 13:44-52.

Like black mustard, the kingdom of heaven will grow large, not stay small like exclusive sects teach. Like leaven it affects everything. Like buried treasure, it is precious. Like a pearl merchant, people sell everything to obtain it. Like a dragnet, it gathers good and bad. Like a householder, it contains old and new treasures.

Treasure hunters include archaeologists and marine salvage operators. Two separate half billion dollar fortunes were recovered in 1985 and 2007. The most valuable treasure of all is the kingdom of heaven. It is in this world but buried. Would we be willing to sell everything for the kingdom of heaven?

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44 WEB)

The buried treasure was probably discovered by chance, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon. The pearl was found by someone searching. He too sold all that he had. Is anything worth more than the kingdom of heaven?

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went and sold all that he owned and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46 CEB)

Like a fishing net, the kingdom also gathers indiscriminately. Angels will confirm what we have already chosen. Let’s not neglect salvation.

The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a net is thrown into a lake and catches all kinds of fish. When the net is full, it is dragged to the shore, and the fishermen sit down to separate the fish. They keep the good ones, but throw the bad ones away. That's how it will be at the end of time. Angels will come and separate the evil people from the ones who have done right. Then those evil people will be thrown into a flaming furnace, where they will cry and grit their teeth in pain. (Matthew 13:47-50 CEV)

In marital love each provides both new and old for the other (Song 7:13). Faithful disciples are blessed with old and new treasures. The kingdom is a treasure trove of new and old stories. The old truths prepare for the cross and are given new life in the church.

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matthew 13:51-52 ESV)

Earthly treasures fade, but the new and old treasures of the kingdom of heaven are forever. Is the kingdom of heaven our greatest treasure? You decide!

Does familiarity breed contempt?

When Jesus had finished these parables, He left there. He went to His hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “How did this wisdom and these miracles come to Him? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother called Mary, and His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does He get all these things?” (Matthew 13:53-56 HCSB)

Are we offended in Jesus?

And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:57-58 KJV)

Did Jesus hide the meaning of His teachings to those who were unreceptive? Does that teach us anything about spreading the Good News to those who do not want to listen? You decide!

Matthew 13 (Part 2 Wheat & Weeds)

Wheat & Weeds

Why is there evil in the world? The world is a mixture of good and evil. Let’s discuss the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds in Matthew 13:24-43.

Lolium temulentum, darnel, tares, cockle, or false wheat exists worldwide. It has deep roots. It’s toxic, and similar to wheat until maturity. Wheat is heavier and hangs low. Darnel is lighter and stands tall. The wicked may prosper and stand tall. The righteous may suffer and be bent over. Yet, uprooting the weeds may harm the wheat. Farmers let both grow until harvest and then separate them.

He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away. But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also. (Matthew 13:24-26 WEB)

The church has done much good in the world, like schools, universities, medical care, music, arts, literature, science, human rights, opposing slavery, influencing laws, providing orphanages, and caring for the hungry and poor. But weeds are ALSO in the church.

Why did Roman Christians attack Waldensians and murder thousands during the Inquisition? Why did Catholics and Protestants persecute Anabaptists and each other? Why did Calvinists murder Catholic priests in the Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre? Why do Orthodox Christians harass Russian Protestants? Should we be shocked?

The servants of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Master, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Then how is it that it has weeds?’ ‘An enemy has done this,’ he answered. The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them?’ But the landowner said, ‘No, because if you gather the weeds, you’ll pull up the wheat along with them. (Matthew 13:27-29 CEB)

Why do we tolerate sins in the church? The church is in the world and the world is in the church. Nobody evades God’s judgment. The world has always been a mixture of sinners and saints, good and evil. How long will such tares be in the church?

Leave the weeds alone until harvest time. Then I'll tell my workers to gather the weeds and tie them up and burn them. But I'll order them to store the wheat in my barn. (Matthew 13:30 CEV)

Mustard Seed & Yeast

The black mustard is an herb which can grow to three meters (ten feet) tall. The “little flock” would become very large. This small beginning foretells an all-encompassing future. Exclusive small churches that think they are still that “little flock” (Luke 12:32), totally miss the point of this parable and how large the kingdom in the church will grow despite its faults.

The “least of all the seeds” is conversational speech, like saying, “Isn’t that just the cutest baby!” It is not a scientific or statistical conclusion but an informal superlative. A lot of biblical criticism comes from educated people misunderstanding the genre of literature. Jesus’ frequently taught with imagery and hyperbole.

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32 NIV)

Does yeast help us understand the kingdom of heaven? Usually leaven pictures sin, but also leaven spreads. Is it the kingdom growing or sin inside the kingdom or both?

Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” (Matthew 13:33 NKJV)

Hidden Things

Again Jesus explained why parables.

All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world. (Matthew 13:34-35 ESV)

Wheat & Weeds Explained

Of over a dozen parables, Jesus only explained two, leaving the rest open for discussion?

Then He dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached Him and said, “Explain the parable of the weeds in the field to us.” He replied: “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world; and the good seed—these are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. (Matthew 13:36-39 HCSB)

What will eventually happen to the weeds in the church?

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:40-42 KJV)

What will happen to those who choose the way of righteousness?

Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears, let him hear. (Matthew 13:43 NASB)

Jesus attests to judgment and hell more than anybody else in the Bible. Liberals may deny it, and legalists may think they are not guilty, but a loving God will not tolerate lawlessness for eternity.

Righteousness for Christians is not by sinless perfection, but by faith in forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Thank God that He can convert any one of us into wheat. Let’s pray for God’s forgiveness and focus on the day when the righteous will shine like the sun. You decide!

Matthew 13 (Part 1 The Sower)

Jesus often spoke in parables, stories or allegories that illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. With the natural amplification of His voice reflecting off the water, did Jesus hold a large meeting? Let’s find out in Matthew 13.

On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. (Matthew 13:1-2 NKJV)

Part 1: The Sower

Are we deep or shallow? Are we quitters or do we last the distance? Are we choking on worldly cares? Is the word of God fruitful in us? Let’s understand the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-23.

He said many things to them in parables: “A farmer went out to scatter seed. As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path, and birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, it scorched the plants, and they dried up because they had no roots. Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked them. Other seed fell on good soil and bore fruit, in one case a yield of one hundred to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of thirty to one. (Matthew 13:3-8 CEB)

Jesus spoke of the kingdom like an indiscriminate sower. There is no target audience for the gospel here. The seed of the kingdom is sown with wild abandon, like spreading the Gospel with faith instead of formulas. Who did Jesus say would build His church?

… I will build My church … (Matthew 16:18 NKJV).

Did Jesus want us to listen?

If you have ears, pay attention! (Matthew 13:9 CEV)

Secrets of the Kingdom

Did Jesus speak in parables to make things clearer or to hide the meaning?

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (Matthew 13:10-13 ESV)

Did this fulfill a prophecy from Isaiah? Because of callous hearts did people decide to shut their eyes?

Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn back—and I would cure them. (Matthew 13:14-15 HCSB)

Was this also new knowledge that even God-fearing prophets had not known?

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (Matthew 13:16-17 KJV)

The Sower Explained

How did Jesus explain the seed that fell on the wayside (KJV, NKJV), path (CEB, HCSB, NIV, ESV), footpath (NLT), road (CEV, NASB), or roadside (WEB)?

Listen then to the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one sown with seed beside the road. (Matthew 13:18-19 NASB)

Rocky soil is a nuisance for farmers. Over generations, stones are removed and laid aside or used for building walls or houses. Some fields are just too rocky for anything but grazing.

How did Jesus explain the seed that fell on rocky ground (CEB, CEV, HCSB, NIV), stony places (KJV, NKJV), rocky places (NIV, WEB), or rocky soil (NLT)? Do we let the word sink deeply into our souls or are our hearts like stone?

The seed on stony ground took root, but was shallow and didn’t last. Shallow faith focuses on temporary things of this world, not deep spiritual things, persecution or suffering. Shallow Christianity cannot handle the whole truth and so avoids it. But deep-rooted faith lives on.

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. (Matthew 13:20-21 NIV)

Two plant species competing for the same soil rarely works well. Though some cases of symbiosis do work well, that is not the purpose of this parable. Like thorns, worldly cares and material wealth can choke the life out of us.

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. (Matthew 13:22 NLT)

Three main types of soil are sand, silt and clay. To tame deserts experts may mix clay with the sand to hold moisture. In other areas, there may be too much clay and sand is mixed in to improve the soil. Creating and keeping good soil is a constant challenge.

What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. (Matthew 13:23 WEB)

Church growth formulas using target groups overlook this parable. Let’s share the kingdom with wild abandon. Are we deceived by the devil? Is our faithfulness short-lived? Are we being choked by worldly cares? Does the kingdom find deep roots in our hearts, producing abundant spiritual fruit? You decide!

Jesus Accused (Bible E-Course Matthew 12)

Jesus faced many false accusations. How did He handle them?

Sabbath Accusations

Did the Pharisees criticize Jesus for breaking their Sabbath rules?

At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!” (Matthew 12:1-2 HCSB)

Was Jesus more concerned with feeding the hungry than the letter of the law?

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? (Matthew 12:3-4 KJV)

Did Old Testament priests work on the Sabbath, yet were innocent?

Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath, and yet are innocent? But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. (Matthew 12:5-6 NASB)

Is something more important than legalistic Sabbath observance?

If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. (Matthew 12:7 NIV)

What gave Jesus the right to make these decisions regarding the Sabbath?

For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:8 NKJV)

Were the Pharisees looking for a reason to accuse Jesus?

Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) (Matthew 12:9-10 NLT)

What did Jesus say to their motives?

He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” (Matthew 12:11-12 WEB)

Did Jesus let their critical attitudes hold Him back from doing good?

Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he did and it was made healthy, just like the other one. The Pharisees went out and met in order to find a way to destroy Jesus. (Matthew 12:13-14 CEB)

Did Jesus wait around to be harassed?

When Jesus found out what was happening, he left there and large crowds followed him. He healed all of their sick, but warned them not to tell anyone about him. So God's promise came true, just as Isaiah the prophet had said (Matthew 12:15-17 CEV)

What was Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus?

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope. (Matthew 12:18-21 ESV cp. Isaiah 42:1-4; 61:1)

How did the crowds react to Jesus?

Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to Him. He healed him, so that the man could both speak and see. And all the crowds were astounded and said, “Perhaps this is the Son of David!” (Matthew 12:22-23 HCSB)

Accused for Healing

Did the religious leaders repent of their rotten accusations?

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. (Matthew 12:24 KJV)

How did Jesus answer the accusations in their hearts?

And knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he has become divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? And if by Beelzebul I cast out the demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if I cast out the demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or, how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. (Matthew 12:25-29 NASB)

Accusing the Holy Spirit

Was their criticism of Jesus forgivable? Were they far too close to falsely accusing the Holy Spirit’s work through Jesus?

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:30-32 NIV)

Did Jesus speak quite bluntly at times?

A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. (Matthew 12:33-34 NLT)

Are we justified by faith alone or also by our words?

The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:35-37 WEB)

Signs

Is faith about seeing a sign?

At that time some of the legal experts and the Pharisees requested of Jesus, “Teacher, we would like to see a sign from you.” But he replied, “An evil and unfaithful generation searches for a sign, but it won’t receive any sign except Jonah’s sign. (Matthew 12:38-39 CEB)

What was Jonah’s sign?

He was in the stomach of a big fish for three days and nights, just as the Son of Man will be deep in the earth for three days and nights. (Matthew 12:40 CEV)

Will the nations judge these religious leaders?

The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. (Matthew 12:41-42 ESV)

Are those who reject Christ like a man healed of demon possession, but does not repent and fill his life with godly things? Eastern meditation seeks to empty the mind. Biblical meditation seeks to fill the mind with godly thoughts. Is there demonic danger in an empty mind?

When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest but doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ And returning, it finds the house vacant, swept, and put in order. Then off it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man’s last condition is worse than the first. That’s how it will also be with this evil generation. (Matthew 12:43-45 HCSB)

Jesus’ Family

Did Jesus have brothers and sisters?

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. (Matthew 12:46-47 KJV)

What object lesson did Jesus teach from this?

But Jesus replied to the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” And extending His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold: My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50 NASB)

Jesus earlier taught that He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. Here He said that among fellow believers we have a new family, sometimes closer than our physical family.

Just like Jesus, Christians are often falsely accused. Even if physical family members reject us and our beliefs, we have a heavenly family and a Father who always accepts the faithful. Let’s not lose hope, but trust that God has a plan for all. You decide!

Disguised Fraud (Ezekiel 22)

How are political and business leaders frequently described in the Bible?

Political Frauds

Evil national leaders are pictured in the Bible as predatory wild animals, political frauds. For instance, Daniel had a vision of four successive empires, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greco-Macedonia and Rome, and their kings were all pictured as beasts.

Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. (Daniel 7:17 NKJV)

Evil rulers take and oppress. Good rulers give and set people free. How many kings, prime ministers and presidents today could be described as predatory beasts? What about national rulers throughout human history?

Like a roaring lion and a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people. (Proverbs 28:15 NKJV)

Does this sound like many nations today? It is interesting that no matter what we call our political system, democratic, federal republic, communist, socialist, or oligarchy, the end result can be the same. The strong oppress the weak and build enormous hoards of tainted wealth on the backs of the oppressed poor. Is this the way it is supposed to be?

A prophecy of Ezekiel speaks to all our nations today. The highest ethical standards do not change, and all humanity has failed to uphold them. Will God judge predatory leadership?

Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations! … they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow … they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion … Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain … The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. (Ezekiel 22:2-29 NKJV)

Business Fraud

Politics and business go hand in hand. In the business world there are many ways to make a dishonest income. Business fraud is represented by dishonest scales. Dishonest weights and measures are as ancient as commercial trade. There is nothing new about rigging a weighing machine to cheat the consumer. What are they?

Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. (Proverbs 11:1 NKJV)

Ancient merchants had two different sets of weights for their weighing machines, one accurate to show an inspector and a second set to swindle customers. What are such diverse weights?

Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, And dishonest scales are not good. (Proverbs 20:23 NKJV)

Israel was granted the promised land in part because the previous occupants were totally depraved, even sacrificing their own children to their gods (Deuteronomy 12:31; 2 Kings 23:10). Archaeology reveals the extent of this atrocity to be very great. Canaanite merchants were also known for their corruption in trade. Calling a merchant a Canaanite was an insult derived from their deceitful reputation.

A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; He loves to oppress. (Hosea 12:7 NKJV)

The prophet Amos records a time when the people could not wait for the festivals to be over so that they could get back to making more money in deceitful ways. What did that include?

Falsifying the scales by deceit. (Amos 8:5 NKJV)

Even in the church some people justify their dishonesty in business with excuses, but what does the judge of all have to say about such people?

Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, And with the bag of deceitful weights? (Micah 6:11 NKJV)

Lies destroy nations and businesses. Political and business fraud will soon pass. A kingdom is coming, where only righteous practices will exist. Do you want to be there? You decide!