THE PARABLES OF CHRIST

[Susan Avril Hughes]

The realisation of the treasure we have stored in our heart through reading GOD's word came as a sister in Christ and I enjoyed Bible study in Matthew yesterday morning sat out in the garden here in Bahrain, Middle East enjoying the cool weather and the LORD's presence. 

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Matthew 5

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

 

Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain ; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him.

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them saying ;

3 Blessed (happy, to be envied and spiritually prosperous - with life-joy and satisfaction in GOD's favour and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant) for theirs is THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

They shall be comforted (4)

They shall inherit the earth (5)

They shall be completely satisfied (6)

They shall obtain mercy (7)

The pure in heart shall see GOD (8) (Psalm 24)

Makers and maintainers of peace, shall be called sons of GOD (9)

Theirs is theKINGDOM OF HEAVEN (10)

Blessed when people revile you, persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. (11)

Your reward in heaven is great for in the same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you (12)

 

Matthew 13

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN - (in parables (stories by way of illustration and comparison) Amp. Bible.

Sower and the seed (3-8)

10 Then the disciples came to Him and said "Why do you speak to them in parables ?"

11 And He replied to them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of theKINGDOM OF HEAVEN, but to them it has not been given. 

 

12 For whoever has (spiritual knowledge) to him will more be given and he will be furnished richsly so that he will have abundance ; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away (the parable of the talents).

13 This is the reason I speak to them in parables ; because having the power of seeing, they DO NOT see, and having the power of hearing, they DO NOT hear, nor do they grasp and understand.

 

14 In them indeed is the process of fulfillment of the PROPHECY OF ISAIAH which says : You shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand ;and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive. (Jesus is speaking about the nation of Israel ).

 

15 Read how they can be healed.

16 But blessed are your eyes because they DO see and your ears because they DO hear.(addressing His disciples).

 

God reveals more and more of Himself as our love, belief, trust in Him grows deeper and deeper. How is this love, belief and faith built up ? Through the knowledge of HIM shown in His Word. 

 

Jesus goes on to explain the parable of the sower - verses 18 - 23.

 

24 - THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

 

WHEAT AND WEEDS

25- 30 But while he was sleeping his enemy came and sowed also darnel (weeds resembling wheat) among the wheat and went on his way ( a form of godliness that sows seed that does not fruit)

 

MUSTARD SEED

31 - 32 The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field.

 

LEAVENED BREAD - verse 33

35 This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet ; I will open My mouth in parables ; I will utter things that have been hidden since the foundation of the world (Psalm 78:2)

36 - 42 Explanation of the wheat and weeds to the disciples.

 

Then comes this glorious scripture.

43 Then will the righteous (those who are upright and in rightstanding with GOD) SHINE FORTHlike the sun in the KINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER. Let him who has ears to hear be listening and let him consider, perceive and understand by hearing (Daniel 12:3)

 

44 Another parable - The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again, then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys the FIELD (JESUS CHRIST is more precious than any earthly thing)

 

45 The kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious PEARLS.

46 Who on finding a single PEARL OF GREAT PRICE went and sold all he had and bought it.

 

 

47 The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was cast into the sea and gathered in fish of every sort.

48 When it was full, men dragged it up on the beach and sat down and SORTED OUT the good fish into baskets, but the worthless ones they threw away.

49 So it will be at the close and consummation of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous. (goats and sheep)

50 And cast them into the furnace of fire ; there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth (warning comes first in Matthew 8:12 and appears 8 times throughout Matthew and once in Luke 13:28).

 

STOREHOUSE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WITHIN US

 

51 (Jesus) Have you understood all these things (parables) taken TOGETHER ? They said to Him. YES LORD.

 

52 He said to them, Therefore every teacher and interpreter of the Sacred Writings who has been instructed about and trained for the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN and has become a disciple is like a householder who brings forth out of his STOREHOUSE treasure that is new and (treasure that is) old (the fresh with the familiar) - God's word fresh every day as we do Bible Study - scripture familiar but yet holds much more as we meditate on it. 

 

53 When JESUS had finished these parables, He left there...

 

Amen!

 

PRAYER (Matthew 13:11-12)

 

Lord guide us deeper into Your Word and reveal to us the secrets and the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven in greater measure.  We want to be furnished richly in our hearts with greater knowledge so that we have an abundance of wisdom, knowledge and understanding to impart to others seeking Your kingdom of heaven. Thank you LORD. Amen!