DEVOTION:
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 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."
33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough."
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
37 He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
51 "Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked.
"Yes," they replied.
52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."
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Jesus often had to speak in parables. He spoke them for many reasons, one was that Jesus used every day things to explain the kingdom of heaven to us and to give to us supernatural heavenly things.
We are, by nature earthly creatures who don't really comprehend or even fathom heavenly things. So our Lord uses the things we understand like yeast, fishing nets, treasures and pearls to help us to understand the real and unfathomable things of God.
Jesus was telling them in verse 52 that those who have heard the Gospel and become disciples have both the goodness of the Law and the grace of the Gospel. He was telling them that they have the God's will and God's grace when we don't do His will. Both the Law and the Gospel are good. They both do good things for us. The old treasure is the Law of God, the Ten Commandments, the old covenant. The new treasure is the Gospel, the salvation of God, Jesus Himself.
As Paul says, "we agree that the Law is good." I am so glad for the law, not only because it shows me how sinful I am, but also because it shows me God's will and what He wants me to do out of love for Him.
Let us pray: Lord God, help me to love Your Law and Your Gospel. They are both Your will. And even though I am unable to keep the Law perfectly, help me to appreciate it and follow it to honor and praise you and to love others as You have loved me. Amen.
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What does the parable of the yeast mean in Matthew 13:33?
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The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 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."
33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough."
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
"I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."[b]
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."37 He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
47 "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.51 "Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked.
"Yes," they replied.
52 He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."
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Jesus often had to speak in parables. He spoke them for many reasons, one was that Jesus used every day things to explain the kingdom of heaven to us and to give to us supernatural heavenly things.
We are, by nature earthly creatures who don't really comprehend or even fathom heavenly things. So our Lord uses the things we understand like yeast, fishing nets, treasures and pearls to help us to understand the real and unfathomable things of God.
Jesus was telling them in verse 52 that those who have heard the Gospel and become disciples have both the goodness of the Law and the grace of the Gospel. He was telling them that they have the God's will and God's grace when we don't do His will. Both the Law and the Gospel are good. They both do good things for us. The old treasure is the Law of God, the Ten Commandments, the old covenant. The new treasure is the Gospel, the salvation of God, Jesus Himself.
As Paul says, "we agree that the Law is good." I am so glad for the law, not only because it shows me how sinful I am, but also because it shows me God's will and what He wants me to do out of love for Him.
Let us pray: Lord God, help me to love Your Law and Your Gospel. They are both Your will. And even though I am unable to keep the Law perfectly, help me to appreciate it and follow it to honor and praise you and to love others as You have loved me. Amen.
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What does the parable of the yeast mean in Matthew 13:33?
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CALENDAR
Tues- Quiltes 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Choir 7pm
Thurs- Trunk or Treat begins with supper at 5:30-7pm: Trunk or Treat goes till 8pm out on the parking lot
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; SERVICE DAY begins with potluck at noon!!
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; SERVICE DAY begins with potluck at noon!!
TRUNK OR TREAT THIS THURSDAY 5:30-8pm AT CHURCH