March_29

SHARING BREAD

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 fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matt 13:47-50 (NIV)

Hell isn’t a very popular subject. Indeed, I dare say if a sign were outside the church building flashing Hell as the Sunday sermon the crowds would be dismally down. Hell is all too often not taken into our consideration or perhaps, like Governor Felix whom the Apostle Paul spoke to, we purposely delay our thoughts on the subject postponing them until perhaps a more convenient time (like our deathbed) – yet oftentimes this convenient time to hear Truth never arrives. We often do not like dwelling on death, the devil and destruction or even that which counters it – faith in Christ if it means we must change our lives, be uncomfortable or held responsible. We discover Paul’s encounter with Felix in Acts:

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” Acts 24:24-25 (NIV)

There is generally no flocking to hear about hellfire and brimstone or even accountability – our ears don’t normally perk up to the sound of those words. We much prefer listening to topics on love and joy and peace. Things that tickle our ears and make us feel warm and cozy and good inside. “Weeping and gnashing of teeth” simply do not give us the warm fuzzies we seek. It’s as if we believe that if we do not hear about Hell or think about Hell or just plain ignore Hell, it will simply go away. We do not like thinking our choices and actions reap either eternal consequences or blessings. But sticking our heads in the ground about the end of the age or the end of our lives won’t make it magically disappear.

Interestingly, the Lord Jesus spoke quite often of this place of torment – stating it to be a very real place of horror. In love, he warns us –kindly red flags us – as well as all who followed faithfully after Him – over and over again – so that at the end of our lives we will not find ourselves unsaved – words cannot adequately describe that doom. He died to save us – for us to be with Him eternally in heaven.

“It is shocking to reflect that a change in the weather has more effect on some men’s lives than the dread alternative of heaven or hell. A woman’s glance affects them more than the eye of God. We cannot, however, be content with this; we labor that those around us may savingly believe by putting their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the grand saving act: The man brings his soul and commits it to Christ for safe keeping, and that entrusting of the soul to Jesus saves him. He makes the Saviour trustee of his spiritual estates, and leaves himself and all his eternal interests in those dear hands which once were nailed to the cross. Oh, how we long to see the Holy Spirit bringing men to this, that they may believe in Jesus Christ by resting in Him and trusting upon Him. For this we live, for this we would be content to die, that many might believe.” Charles H. Spurgeon

In our verses for today our Lord likens the coming kingdom of heaven to a net being let down into the vast sea of humanity bringing up all sorts of catch – the good with the evil – the fish with the trash, rubbish, dirt, weeds and vermin. This net has begun to fill and will continue to fill until our Lord’s return. The time will come at the end of the age when it becomes full and carefully drug to the shore where – by the hand of the angels – the good and the bad will be separated. Those who through faith in Christ will rise to be with Him in paradise eternally and those who sadly willing choose not to believe will be thrown into the place of torment prepared for the devil and his angels. Jesus tells us later in Matthew:

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’” Matt 25:34 (NIV)

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” Matt 25:41 (NIV)

“God is love and only love. In God there is no hatred, desire for revenge, or pleasure in seeing us punished. God wants to forgive, heal, restore, show us endless mercy, and see us come home. But just as the father of the prodigal son let his son make his own decision God gives us the freedom to move away from God’s love even at the risk of destroying ourselves. Hell is not God’s choice. It is ours.” Henri Nouwen

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” John 3:16-21 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• My refusal not to think about heaven or hell will not make them go away.
• Jesus spoke much regarding hell to lovingly warn me against the horror of it.
• God desires for all to be saved yet sadly we do not all desire to be saved.

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March_27

SHARING BREAD

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.”

Matt 13:44-46 (NIV)

“If religion is worth anything, it is worth everything. They who do not like Christ on these terms, may leave him at their peril. Whatever we part with for this pearl of price, we may comfort ourselves with this belief, that it is well worth what we give for it. The terms are, that we prefer Christ.” Matthew Henry

The question of the day for us to ponder appears to be – Is Christ worth all to us? Is He above the “pearls” of our professions, our possessions, and our people? Do we search for Him as the hidden Treasure, the Pearl of great prize? Could we, as Paul stated in Philippians, count all things as lost – all credits to our fading honor – in order to passionately pursue Him – ever desirous of going deeper still in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus? This, of course, was the goal Paul pressed on to achieve – as if one could ever comprehend fully the depths of the Infinite.

7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:7-14 (NIV)

“For when I am to you more precious than all else; when I have become more real to you than all else; and when you love Me more than you love any other, then shall you know complete satisfaction. Your peace shall flow as a river, and your joy shall overflow as a fountain, and My glory shall be poured out as the fragrant anointing oil upon all your other relationships.” Frances J. Roberts

Did you note the continued passion in Paul’s words? The straining, the pressing onward, the focus on the goal all clearly demonstrated he believed he had by no means reached the final stage of his sanctification. He continued to maintain that he still had more spiritual heights to climb. This was Paul, for heaven’s sakes. He had been a believer for 30 years when he wrote this and had won many spiritual battles as well as grown greatly in the faith. I do not believe I exaggerate when I state modern day believers would be hard pressed to find someone who could fills his shoes (to say the least!). This serves as a reminder to us that there will never be a time in our spiritual life where we are in a stalemate regarding our spiritual growth or reach a plateau beyond which we cannot climb further still.

Jesus Christ is to be our true Treasure. In Him are found the fullness of all the riches of incomparably great understanding, knowledge, wisdom, power, mercy and grace. He is of unspeakable value and worth and in having Him our cups are not only filled, they run over. These are paltry and inept statements in light of the great “I AM” – mere words could never do Him justice. He is the God of ultimate sufficiency if we allow Him to fill every crevice in our aching souls. That is His desire you know. He longs for us to be complete in Him for that was what we were created for.

“Blessed are they to whom the gospel has made known the unsearchable riches of Christ. He is that one pearl of great price, in comparison of whom all other goodly things that men desire are worthless. Without him we are poor and miserable, though we abound in all manner of worldly store; but if we have found him and discovered the excellency of his name, we are in possession of a treasure that makes us rich indeed, and have reason to be content with our portion, though stripped of every earthly comfort; for the Father gives grace and glory, even eternal life, in his Son Jesus Christ; and he that hath the Son of God hath life. Oh, my soul, thou, like the merchantman, hast been seeking goodly pearls, and eagerly looking here and there for happiness all thy days. Hast thou, at length, been enlightened to perceive where true joys are to be found? Then wilt thou be willing to sell all in order to win Christ, and be found in him; if there is anything that thou art unwilling to part with for his sake, thou knowest not his value, thou art not worthy of him.” K. H. Von Bogatzky

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col 1:15-20 (NIV)

“Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.” Dallan Forgail

What I glean from this:

• Christ is to be worth everything to me – more precious than all else.
• There is never to be a time in my spiritual life where my growth is stagnant. I am either going forward or I go backward.
• Jesus is my true Treasure.

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March_25

SHARING BREAD

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 sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons 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 fiery 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. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matt 13:36-43 (NIV)

Surely, it will not fare well for everything which causes sin and for all who persist in doing evil. The angels will one day come and separate the righteous from the unrighteous – the clean from the unclean. All hidden things will one day be brought to light. The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of God yet the unrighteous thrown into the fiery furnace where there will be horrific weeping and gnashing of teeth. We are to consider ourselves warned by the Lord Jesus.
But who is righteous – for “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” says Isaiah. And “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” says Paul who also adds “the wages of sin is death”. Surely, there is no one righteous – not even one. Apart from Christ, we are all helpless and hopeless. Every soul is in need of the Savior – every soul. The fallen human race needs God. Therefore God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Man’s plight was dire and God’s intervention potent.

“It is the highest benevolence to warn men of their danger, and to exhort them to escape from the wrath which will surely come upon them, for ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.’ We feel that it must be a fearful thing to be punished for sin when you remember the atonement. It is our full belief as Christians, that, in order to pardon human sin, it was necessary that God himself should become incarnate, and that the Son of God should suffer excruciating pains, to which the dignity of his person added infinite weight. Brethren, if the wrath of God be a mere trifle, there was no need of a Saviour to deliver us; it were as well to have let so small a matter take its course; or, if the Saviour came merely to save us from a pinch or two, why is so much said in his praise? What need for heaven and earth to ring with the glories of him who would save us from a small mischief? But mark the word. As the sufferings of the Saviour were intense beyond all conception, and as no less a person than God himself must endure these sufferings for us, that must have been an awful, not to say infinite evil, from which there was no other way for us to escape except by the bleeding and dying of God’s dear Son. Think lightly of hell, and you will think lightly of the cross. Think little of the sufferings of lost souls, and you will soon think little of the Saviour who delivers you from them. God grant we may not live to see such a Christ-dishonouring theology dominant in our times.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” Paul tells us in Romans adding:

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1 (NIV)

In His great mercy, God sent His Son to die in my place and yours so that we might wear His righteousness – all good seed, all graces; all souls sanctified are owing to Christ. The glorious salvation – our righteousness – we have in Christ by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone.

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21 (NIV)

Sadly, in this parable we discover that presently the righteous and unrighteous are sown together in this world and can be found in our churches, in our relationships and in our daily activities. There is a great deal of secret wickedness in the hearts of men hidden under the cloak of plausible profession or feigned righteousness. It is thankfully not up to us to know the condition of another person’s heart albeit God does tell us fruit consistently produced will give us a good clue. Only God possess the true knowledge of what is in a man’s heart – yet we are to endeavor to examine our own hearts. I am reminded of Job’s terse response to his pious “friends” regarding his predicament and their examination of his life:

9 Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men? Job 13:9 (NIV)

The Prophet Jeremiah tells us it is God who searches the heart and examines the mind:

9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” Jer 17:9-10 (NIV)

Also, nothing is ever hidden from God’s sight. The motives of our hearts are weighed by the Lord as well. God judges people on the basis of why they act. The writer of Hebrews tells us:

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:13 (NIV)

Scripture also states in Proverbs:

2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Prov 16:2 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• The righteous will one day shine like the sun in the kingdom of God. Sadly, everything that causes sin and all who do evil will be thrown into the fiery furnace.
• Christ died to save me.
• I am to examine my own heart.

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March_22

SHARING BREAD

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.”

Matt 13:34-35 (NIV)

In parabolic jargon, Jesus made known the mysterious manifold wisdom of God – things that had been prior hidden for ages and generations now made known to the saints. Not only was our Lord teaching Truths not previously revealed He was also fulfilling prophecy by the parables He spoke:

2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old– Psalms 78:2 (NIV)

The mystery of the Gospel had been hidden in God – in His purposes and decrees for ages past. Grace was now being poured out and the unsearchable riches of Christ were becoming known to those who had ears to hear. Paul tells us in Ephesians his like calling:

8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. Eph 3:8-9 (NIV)

I am also reminded of Paul’s words to the Colossians who again stated his commission of presenting the Word of God in its fullness – the hidden Word now made manifest:

25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness– 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. Col 1:25-29 (NIV)

“His wisdom’s vast, and knows no bounds, a deep where all our thoughts are drowned.” Isaac Watts

The fullness of the mystery of the wisdom of God is found in Christ alone. It is not simply in obtaining more information from God; rather it is coming to know what He is like and seeking to follow His ways through His power. The Word is only ours when we have acted on it – becoming effective when we have allowed God to move our hearts and minds and our actions. Jesus came to flesh out God to man. The “wisdom” of the world knows Him not. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 1 Cor 1:20-21 (NIV)

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Cor 1:30 (NIV)

God Himself provides all revelation – all means of knowing Him. Our understanding comes not from our futile pursuits. Obtaining spiritual knowledge however does require our diligence but it is a diligence and desire to hear from Him – to seek Him with ears prepared and attentive to listen and respond. God has called every believer to go further still in our depth and knowledge of Him – we were not saved for superficiality. It is our privilege to delve into a richer and fuller knowledge of Him Who is boundless in His wisdom. Every sliver of knowledge obtained also carries with it the call to its obedience. Use it or lose it.

“All true knowledge of God is born out of obedience.” John Calvin

“God will never reveal more truth about Himself till you obey what you know already.” Oswald Chambers

Jeremiah tells us:

12 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jer 29:12-14 (NIV)

“It is light that enables us to see the differences between things; and it is Christ who gives us light.” Augustus Hare

What I glean from this:

• Jesus made known the mysterious manifold wisdom of God through parables for those who had ears to hear.
• God’s grace was poured out in the Lord Jesus.
• I am called to act on the Truth I know. It is to transform my life.

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March_20

SHARING BREAD

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 your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air 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 a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Matt 13:31-33 (NIV)

In the first of the two parables presented here in our verses for today, Jesus refers to the kingdom of heaven as a tiny mustard seed of faith planted in the field of the fertile heart. Though the Gospel begins ever so small, its progress and end will demonstrate a powerfully great increase as did the largest tree in the garden which sprung from the smallest of seeds. The Gospel is commonly very weak and tiny in its beginnings – the breaking of the Gospel light is as the dawning of the day. Young converts as small lambs are first “carried” in His arms – close to His heart – as Isaiah so sweetly states:

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)

Yet faith is not to remain small in the heart rather like the mustard seed it is to grow to greatness. The seed itself is small yet within it carries the disposition to grow. Gracious habits confirmed and continued, growing knowledge of the Master, increasing love and ardent zeal all point to the seed sprouting and growing. Indeed, Paul chastises the Corinthians for their lack of spiritual growth – they should have been on meat concerning the Gospel yet remained as babes lapping down milk – to their own harm:

1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly–mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. 1 Cor 3:1-3 (NIV)

Peter also adds the following for our enlightenment – encouraging us to persevere in the faith and to grow up into all that God has purposed in advance for us to be and do. The goal of our faith – the salvation of our souls – is to grow up in our salvation becoming ever more like the Master:

1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV)

“The Lord Jesus received is holiness begun, the Lord Jesus cherished is holiness advancing, the Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent would be holiness complete….He is most holy who has most of Christ within, and joys most fully in the finished work. It is defective faith which clogs the feet and causes many a fall.” Hudson Taylor

“The first thing God requires of His child is obedience.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Next, our Lord likens the kingdom of heaven to yeast mixed into much flour until it permeated the dough. Most often in the Bible yeast is compared to sin or of evil but in this instance Jesus uses it as a positive symbol of growth and permeation. He implies that just as the yeast has great impact on the flour – transforming it – so too the kingdom of heaven should advance and permeate the culture.

12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. Matt 11:12 (NIV)

The original disciples had no rule books on Discipleship 101 – they merely followed in Jesus’ footsteps with the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit and they turned their world upside down – on foot by the way. Nothing much has changed since these guys’ dusty sandals walked the earth regarding the responsibilities of our faith – we are still called to walk as Jesus walked in His power. We are to be as cities on hills that cannot be hidden – lights that point others to the Way, the Truth and the Life. So how are we doing in this extraordinary endeavor? Does it even cross our minds as we go out our very “daily” days? Are we more consumed with our own agendas rather than Gods? We rob our own selves when we willingly choose to disregard His purposes for why we are even here.

“God wants us to be victors, not victims…..to overcome, not to be overwhelmed.” William Arthur Ward

Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thess 5:13-24 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Faith begins small yet grows big.
• I am to walk as Jesus walked.
• I am not to hide the Light of Jesus by my words and deeds.

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March_15

SHARING BREAD

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Matt 13:18-23 (NIV)

In our verses for today our Lord gives us the interpretation to the Parable of the Sower by comparing four results of the sowing of the good seed to four responses. To be sure, the difference in the results was not due to the seed sown but the ground to which it was sown. Indeed, Peter describes the Good News as the “imperishable seed”:

23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

The Good News ever remains the Good News – it is how the hearer responds in his heart to this Good News which makes the difference. This is actually a “Heads-up!” a red flag from Jesus – if you will – to check our lives if we too have had the immense privilege of having the Gospel presented in our presence. Sadly, our Lord shows us that the majority of the hearers of the Good News do not respond positively rather they reject this treasure – sooner or later. The Words our Lord spoke in the Sermon on the Mount come to mind:

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matt 7:13-14 (NIV)

“What I believe about God is the most important thing about me.” A.W. Tozer

The ground upon which the good seed falls in this parable is the human heart which we discover are each differently disposed and qualified. Like soil, man’s heart is capable of improvement – of bearing good fruit – through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is to be most pitied if it lies fallow. Four different characters are revealed by Jesus through His description of the condition of the hearts of the hearers – the hardened and unaffected, the short lived emotional zealot sans wisdom, the worldly entangled and the fruitful for the kingdom – three being inferior and one being superior.

Those who hear and remain unaffected take no heed or no hold of the Truth – it goes in one ear and out the other – making no impression. The devil comes quickly snatching away what was sown. Such mindless, careless hearers are low hanging fruit and easy prey for the adversary. We are to prepare our hearts and give earnest heed when presented to the Truth we hear. The emotional zealots sans wisdom appear to swallow the Truth without chewing it – never assimilating it into their souls. They receive it with exuberant joy yet because they are rootless they quickly fall away. They have no fixed principals in their judgment – no firm resolution in their wills. It is possible for these to have the green blade of profession yet no root of grace. Emotional zeal will never carry us through trials, it will never sustain us. We cannot live on our emotions alone in our faith walk – we may endure for a while but not to the end. Remember, James tells us that even the demons believe and tremble (show emotion) yet are hardly saved:

19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder. James 2:19 (NIV)

The Truth begins to root in those who find themselves entangled with the world yet we discover that ease and prosperity, worries and the deceitfulness of stuff are destroyers of the word within the heart just as much as persecution and trials are. As the stony ground spoiled the root we see here the thorny ground spoiled the fruit. Worldly cares can be as entangling as a thorny bush or vine. They consume the vigor of the soul which could be invested in more profitable kingdom work. We are to let the focus on the future (heaven) sanctify the present for its highest and most advantageous uses. Scripture tells us we are to redeem the time. Never exchange eternal glory for temporary gain. That’s like accepting the paste gem instead of the true diamond. In the end, all of these worldly entanglements will be charred. The writer of Hebrews writes:

8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Heb 6:8 (NIV)

“Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity.” Charles H. Spurgeon

The good fruitful ground is distinguished by one trait – faithful fruitfulness. Jesus did not say this land was without stones or thorns but none that prevailed and prevented the producing of fruits in keeping with repentance. Saints in this world are not freed from sin but rather from the reign of it. Not all produce the same amount of fruit either. Some Christians are more fruitful than others. There are degrees of true grace – not all of Christ’s followers are of the same form yet if the ground is good, the fruit will be right.

“The most brilliant way to live is to always look for the light.” Ann Voskamp

What I glean from this:

• The Good News of the Gospel is the imperishable seed.
• I am held accountable for my reaction to what I hear.
• I am to set my mind and heart on things above – not earthly things. 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col 3:1-4 (NIV)

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March_13

SHARING BREAD

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Matt 13:16-17 (NIV)

Jesus’ Words found in our verses for today point to those penned in the great Hall of Faith chapter of Hebrews describing the righteous who were commended for living out what they believed by faith. Their actions were particularly praiseworthy in light of the fact that they only welcomed the fulfillment of the promises from a distance – on their side of Calvary. And God was not ashamed to be called their God:

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Heb 11:13-16 (NIV)

The realities of the promises were far off for these pilgrims who continued to faithfully sojourn – longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Is it not easy to want to turn around and go back to the same “country”, to the same old lifestyle we embraced before Jesus came into our hearts? Do we offend God by longing for the leeks and onions of Egypt as did the Israelites – to their own harm – insatiably desirous of the past? Longing to linger in the here and now with no sights on the eternal? Will we be ones that are found faithful to the finish in our faith? Will those who come behind us find us faithful as well? Will God not be ashamed to be called our God? Hmmm……

“Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe and the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.” Steve Green

“You were born for freedom. You deliver into it through obedience. No one ever entered into the full rest of God by giving Him only half of themselves.” Ann Voskamp

Jesus wanted His guys to know what a privilege it was for them to hear and see and understand the Truths which He presented. He desires for us to realize this as well. Truths that the Old Testament saints and prophets longed to know. Those from the past had been given glimpses and glimmerings of the gospel light and earnestly coveted further revelations. Not only these, but Peter tells us that even the angels desired to look into these things – both prophets and angels were held in awe and wonder over the grace which was to come. Isn’t it sad that oftentimes we handle God’s Word so flippantly or cavalierly?

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 1 Peter 1:10-12 (NIV)

Further, Paul had a firm grasp on the importance of spreading this good news as he tells us in Colossians that he was a servant to the commission of presenting the gospel in its fullness to his hearers – oh that we as modern day believers in Jesus would be so likeminded and purposeful in presenting our faith:

25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness– 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:25-27 (NIV)

“The grace of God is love freely shown towards guilty sinners, contrary to their merit and indeed in defiance of their demerit. It is God showing goodness to persons who deserve only severity, and had no reason to expect anything but severity. We have seen why the thought of grace means so little to some church people—namely, because they do not share the beliefs about God and man which it presupposes. Now we have to ask: why should this thought mean so much to others? The answer is not far to seek; indeed, it is evident from what has already been said. It is surely clear that, once a man is convinced that his state and need are as described, the New Testament gospel of grace cannot but sweep him off his feet with wonder and joy. For it tells how our Judge has become our Saviour.” J.I. Packer

What I glean from this:

• Old Testament saints and prophets faithfully lived out they believed and only welcomed the promises from a distance.
• God desires for me to finish well.
• I am to be passionate in presenting the good news to others.

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March_11

SHARING BREAD

13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.”

Matt 13:13-15 (NIV)

In our verses for today, Jesus gives us the third reason why He spoke in parables – to fulfill the prophecy presented in Isaiah and here quoted by Him. God had prophesized that the people would not understand our Lord’s message – though they were privileged to both see and hear it. With their hardened hearts they hardly heard and with their closed eyes they prevented the perception of Truth. Their dullness was a mark of intentional unwillingness and immaturity. Yet God remains ever willing and faithful to bestow mercy on all who will seek Him in humility and sincerity.

“The saddest condition a man can be in is to sit under the most living ordinances with a dead, stupid, untouched heart.” Matthew Henry

Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness which included, of course, the fulfillment of prophecy. God never promises without fulfilling – we can take that to the bank. Our Lord tells the Baptist prior to His baptism – when John protested in baptizing Jesus as he considered himself unworthy of the task – those very words:

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Matt 3:13-15 (NIV)

“Approximately 2500 prophecies appear in the pages of the Bible, about 2000 of which already have been fulfilled to the letter—no errors.” Dr. Hugh Ross

God is faithful to bestow His gifts of Truth, wisdom and understanding to all who will apply them yet He takes them away from those who choose to bury them, disregard them or turn their back on them – staunchly refusing to believe. Our dullness in hearing comes when do not mix it with faith – refusing to act upon what we have heard – refusing to flesh out the Truth. Some of the onlookers of our Lord’s miracles and teachings were simply amused or entertained by what they saw and heard. They had willingly shut their eyes to the clear light of His plainer preaching and now it seems they remained in the dark to His teachings which were veiled in parables. One never remains stationary in their spiritual wisdom and understanding or in any other part of life for that matter. We are either going backwards in an insidious manner or forwards towards the light whether we are able to perceive this or not. It is foolishness to think otherwise. It is also very easy to waste a life. We don’t want to go there.

One mark of spiritual maturity is a desire to go on with Christ. Obviously, these Pharisees – and every other nonbelieving naysayer thereafter – had no intention of that. Paul gave a clarion call to believers to follow his example of pressing onward in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus in Philippians. All who are mature should recognize the value of his words:

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Phil 3:14-16 (NIV)

Lastly, let us note that seeing, hearing and understanding are all necessary for our repentance as God changes the hearts of men by opening the eyes of man – turning them from darkness to light. Luke records Jesus’ Words to Paul in Acts regarding this:

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” Acts 26:15-18 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill prophecy.
• I am in a sad condition – to be sure – if I sit under sound teaching yet remain untouched.
• God is always willing to bestow mercy on all who seek Him in humility and sincerity.

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March_08

SHARING BREAD

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

Matt 13:10-12 (NIV)

Immediately picking up on the change in Jesus’ mode of teaching, His guys come to Him asking directly why the variation. Our Lord gives two of the three reasons in our verses for today. First, He spoke to them – and others who believed in Him – in order to continue to reveal Truth and increase their knowledge of the kingdom of heaven. Secondly, He spoke in this fashion to hide spiritual Truths from those who would not believe – those who had already willingly hardened their hearts to His ways and teachings. Remember, the religious leaders had just attributed our Lord’s divine power to Satan. We must beware not to continually harden our hearts through unbelief to Truth – the example of Pharaoh would certainly be a case in point – his outcome being far from desirable. Pharaoh continued to harden his own heart until at long last Scripture states, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart:

7 Pharaoh sent men to investigate and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go. Ex 9:7 (NIV)

12 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses. Ex 9:12 (NIV)

Those who staunchly refuse to believe in Jesus do not possess divinely enlightened minds and therefore remain unable to perceive spiritual Truth and walk in His ways. Like the good seed sown on hardened ground, the Truth is quickly taken away from them. They have their mind-set, their aspirations, their longings, on the sinful nature. The lack of faith prohibits the hardened heart from submitting to God’s commands.

“Faith is the foot of the soul by which it can march along the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move more swiftly; but faith is the foot which carries the soul……With faith I can do all things; without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to do anything in the service of God.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“Obedience is the child of trust.” John Climacus

I am reminded of Paul’s words penned in Romans:

6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8 (NIV)

“Man is now a horror to God and to himself and a creature ill-adapted to the universe not because God made him so but because he has made himself so by the abuse of his free will.” C. S. Lewis

In some ways perhaps it seems merciful of Jesus to speak veiled Words to the unbelieving hearts as His hearers would be held accountable for less. Much is expected to whom much is given. The saddest condition a person can be in is to sit under services steeped in Truth and worship yet their hearts remaining dead, senseless and untouched. In contrast, the nearer we come to Christ and the more we share our lives with Him the greater our knowledge of the mysteries of the Gospel which is – without a doubt – the highest and best knowledge. I am reminded of the words in Jeremiah:

2 “This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it–the LORD is his name: 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” Jer 33:2-3 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Jesus spoke in parables to reveal Truth and increase knowledge in those who believed but also spoke in this manner to hide spiritual Truths from those who would not.
• I must be careful not to harden my heart to Truth.
• Faith gives feet to the soul producing obedience to God’s commands.

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March_06

SHARING BREAD

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop–a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matt 13:1-9 (NIV)

The same day our Lord had incurred oppositions and interruptions from family and rabble, we discover Him in our verses for today now tirelessly continuing on, remaining undeterred in His mission. We see Him not burdened with discouragement or despair rather reinvigorated with courage and zeal, facing and breaking through the difficulties which He continuously encountered in God’s service. Jesus’ servants should be found as resolute in kingdom work.

10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 (NIV)

“Obedience means marching right on whether we feel like it or not.” D. L. Moody

“Random acts of greatness pale in comparison to habitual acts of faithfulness. It’s not what you do every now and then, but what you do every day, that changes everything.” Ann Voskamp

The crowds were gathering like storm clouds before the deluge so much so that our Lord leaves the house and goes down by the lake making a pulpit out of a boat. Speaking from the water His voice would carry as if He were using a microphone – making sure all could hear the golden nuggets of His Words. Sometimes there is more power when there is less pomp in the presentation of Truth. Jesus shows us we do not need an elaborate sanctuary to teach and worship. Indeed, nature often appears to be even more conducive. God is very present in nature. I am reminded of Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin in Acts:

48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: 9 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? 50 Has not my hand made all these things?’” Acts 7:48-50 (NIV)

Matthew now introduces for the first time in his gospel, parables. A parable, similar to an illustration, makes a comparison between a known truth – something familiar – and an unknown truth – something unfamiliar – casting them out alongside each other. Indeed, the word “Parable” is made up of two Greek words meaning “to throw alongside”. Parables compel listeners to discover the truth while at the same time conceal it from those too lazy or stubborn to seek it. The truth becomes clear to those who are willing to open their eyes and honestly search for it. Far too often we approach gaining wisdom and knowledge in the Truth of of God’s Word flippantly at best. We often spend more time reading books about the Bible rather than investing our time reading the Bible. I am reminded of the words recorded in Jeremiah:

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:13 (NIV)

The words in Proverbs come to mind as well – inspiring, encouraging and convicting – pointing to our responsibility in gaining a heart of wisdom:

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Prov 2:1-10 (NIV)

“If you are to be God’s for ever, be his today.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Lastly, our Lord begins the Parable of the Sower. He states the good seed – the Gospel – is sown on four types of ground (hearts) – the hardened, the shallow, the weed infested and the fertile following it with a “Heads up!” to grab our attention. This is an important message – one He is desirous for us to grasp. The hardened ground appears impenetrable – the mind is made up, God’s Word makes no impression – the heart has no intent of changing with the Truth presented. These careless hearers are easy prey for Satan’s minions as the birds come and snatch the Truth sown. The shallow ground represents those who are left with a good impression – warm fuzzy feelings – yet with no root they are not lasting. The weed infested ground represents hearts caught up in worldly matters choking out any fruit making them unprofitable. The seed met with fertile soil are those who hear the Word, understand it and produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

What I glean from this:

• Jesus was resolute in His mission. I am to be faithful as well.
• One does not need a splendid sanctuary built by hands to worship God – nature built by God is a wonderful setting for authentic worship.
• I am to seek wisdom with all my heart.

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