Matthew 13 - Jesus Is Still Talking To Us!

                                                                                                                                SF Stagecoach, NV

Dear Brothers, Sisters, Prodigals and Unsaved,

            Our Lessons in Matthew will always contain topics such as; Life, Healings, Miracles, Deliverance and more.  Today we'll learn; what His Word is telling us about the;  8 Parables, and How Jesus explained each parable to His Disciples. 

So hang in there, - Abba [God], does not want His children to have lack of knowledge, so Jesus told us what it's like in Heaven and will be on earth, so we can preach; live a Godly life and overcome on the world.

Verse  NOTE: ALL meanings are from Strong's Concordance.

13:10-17    Why Understand the Parables:

à      [Matthew 13:10-11 NKJV] 10 "And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" 11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." 
    Again, until the Holy Spirit was released to the world, after Jesus' death and resurrection, no one could understand what they were reading in the Hebrew Tanach [Bible]. It holds true today, even with our New Testament [NT] when you receive the Holy Spirit, He gives you the understanding [John 16:13].  You've heard the expression, "Let Your Conscience be Your Guide"?  It's True!

à      [John 16:17 NKJV] 17 Then [some] of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I go to the Father'?"
    What was Jesus speaking 1) His life, death and resurrection. The 3 days they would not see Him, until He rose again, then bring those Old Testament people, who obeyed Abba [God] back on the earth for 40 days, I guess to prove He moved Paradise from the center of the earth, into a Heavenly area.  2a) Have a couple of possibilities here.  Jesus told Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary [the mother] of James [Mark 16:1], do not touch me for I have not gone to My Father yet [John 20:17]  Why? Jesus was still in the spirit form, and his bones and flesh hadn't been added yet.  2b)  Then He visited the Disciples [Mark 16:14], where they were to wait for Jesus.
    How can you be sure you have the Holy Spirit?  Your CONSCIENCE is the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Someone wrote: I have to say, that I'm not sure what you mean exactly by violating your conscience. Violating you conscience = Doing something that you feel is intrinsically wrong, but still doing it anyway.  Imagine doing something that produces guilt and you are on the right track.  It's your warning bells - LISTEN and DO NOT DO IT!

Ø     [John 16:13 NKJV] "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own [authority], but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."  "
    Things to come, also can mean Prophetic Words, dreams and visions.

  Ø     [Isaiah 6:9-10 NKJV] 9 "And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' 10 "Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed."
    Just the hearing, seeing and or perceiving is not enough on it's own, you have to get it into your heart [to believe], so you can be healed.  Simply put, the ground you're in  [world or Word], is what you how you will grow.

  Ø     [John 20:19-21 NKJV] 19 "Then, the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace [be] with you." 20 When He had said this, He showed them [His] hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
    Verse 21 is important because 1) Jesus said AS the Father has sent Him [in all His power with the Holy Spirit, He's sending them or US today].

13:18-23  The Sower Explained

à      [Matthew 13:18-19 NKJV] 18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand [it], then the wicked [one] comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside."
    If you plant a garden, then you know if you try to plant anything with little dirt or depth for the seed, let alone lack of water - Your garden will not survive.

à      [Matthew 13:20-21 NKJV] 20 "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles."
    No gardener would expect anything to grow around a lot of stones.  It would cause the root of the seed to be weak with the stones in the way.

à      [Matthew 13:22-23 NKJV] 22 "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands [it], who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
    Abba's return interest rate is better than the world's, just like when you give an offering. [Malachi 4:1-12].  Most do not have farms, but today many have jobs.  Your 1st fruit is when you get your check - offer some [above your tithe] to a ministry you support, before you spend it on anything else.  You will bear much fruit; a portion of their blessings; spiritual or financial.

Ø     [Luke 6:38 NKJV] "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

13:31-32  The Mustard Seed

à      [Matthew 13:31-32 NKJV] 31 "Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 "which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."
    Now, the Palestine Farmers have a BLACK mustard seed that is now the smallest seed on earth, yet it produces a tree big enough for birds to nest in - but smaller than the regular mustard seed tree.  The Mustard seed produces a mighty tree [tree is often used as a human in the Word].  You may think Abba cannot use you, because you're young in the Word, but the mustard seed has no idea how big it will get in it's lifetime, with the earth's soil, but with Abba's Word available to it - It will be a POWERHOUSE. 
    We are on the earth, our foundation is the Word, and the Holy Spirit is daily watering you - IF you're in the Word daily.  For me, as I read the Word, He talks to me, giving the understanding of what it's saying and how I should apply His Word.  Especially telling me what to share with you!
    Also, this verse is also talking about the Church and Synagogues.  How there's a mixture of good and evil in each - But Abba knows the truth and He's a JUST judge.

Ø     [2 Corinthians 9:6 NKJV] "But this [I [Jesus] say]: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
    Do you really think Abba is talking about a garden?  No the seeds from the Word are planted in your heart and become mighty trees, with lots of trees, that you can build a fortress with, that the enemy will not be able to destroy!  But the enemy will see your bounty and be jealous.

Ø     [Galatians 3:29 NKJV] "And if you [are] Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."  I told you, you are a seed [of Abraham and by faith, he gained all that he had and more].  What's your inheritance?  EVERY PROMISE IN THE BIBLE! AND to live in Heaven with Jesus for ETERNITY!

13:33-35  The Leaven

à      [Matthew 13:33-35 NKJV] 33 "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." 34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."
    We talked above about why Jesus talked in parables, but here's new additions. 1) It confirmed the words of Prophets and 2) He wants to give us a taste of previous things that were kept in secret since the foundation of the world.  3) He also wanted them to know, even IF they wouldn't understand it until later.
    I know we're told thing at the end will be like the beginning, BUT can you imagine driving on a horse and buggy?  Not having electricity; running water, telephones, TV's, etc all of which we have today.  Their days started at sun-up and ended at sun-set.  Families [which we need to do today] actually sat down together at dinner and talked about their day - fellowship.
    Yes, times are different today, but YOU and I were placed where we are, for such a time as this.  Never doubt that!  It's not to sit on our laurels, while others, minister to those walking in darkness; setting captives free, healing the sick and casting out demons - and yes, raising the dead.  Thankfully Abba usually only has us doing a couple of these.  He has many children on earth, but the Laborers are few.

Ø     [Luke 10:2 NKJV] "Then He [Jesus] said to them, "The harvest truly [is] great, but the laborers [are] few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
    As of 2018, it's estimated that the World's Population is 7.7 BILLION people on the earth.  That's why Abba says PRAY!  He needs our help to release more of His children with the desire to follow JESUS in doing what He did:

Ø     [James 1:22-25 NKJV] 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it], and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
    Are you a DOER?  Or are you going to tell Jesus, sorry, I'm to busy?  The least we can do is GIFT HIM with some of our time - He gave us 3 1/2 years; training, being mocked, attacked, taking on your sin, dying and risen to blesses our socks off - when we walk with Him. 
    Hey, I'm not saying becoming a missionary, but you do, go to work or shopping or school, etc., and I'm sure IF you asked the Holy Spirit to bring someone in your path today, that you can tell them a story [or testimony], whatever He leads you to say about Jesus.  Your day will actually be better and you will get everything done you had planned to do that day.  Have you ever heard that OUR GOD is a TIME SAVER???? - HE IS!

36-43  The Tears of the Field Explained:

à      [Matthew 13:34-39 NKJV] 36"Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 37 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked [one]. 39 "The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels."
    The main staples in the OT were the fruit, grain, lambs.  They didn't have the pesticides we have today, but tears, which we call in Nevada; tumble weeds [bad stickers on them], wild mustard, etc.  all of which grow within the little bit of grass we have - if you try to pull them up to soon, you tear up the grass.
    Israel has a "darnel" weed that starts like wheat, and I understand it's hard to tell the difference until it's matured and ready for harvest.  So they don't remove the darnel until harvest - Just like the angels [reapers] will do at the end of the age [end of 7 year tribulation].

à      [Matthew 13:40-43 NKJV] 40 "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 "and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
    The "tears" we know are those who rejected Jesus and His works and clearly defined in Verse 41.  Yes, there's no second chance, no more breath of life.  When someone's spirit leaves their body, it said that an angel brings them to Paradise/Heaven if they are saved. 
    IF NOT , the same will be at the end of the age or after the 7 year tribulation, only they will be thrown into the lake of fire.  They have lost their chance to choose - not making a decision to serve Jesus, means you automatically go down, not up.  Or if you continually OFFEND Abba, by practicing lawlessness, or IF you are a Prodigal who hasn't returned - you'll go to the same place - HELL.

Ø     [2 Peter 3:9-10 NKJV] 9 The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
    There is only ONE PERSON ever on earth, who ever took on your sins - That's JESUS!  So it's only thru Him you can be saved.  Plus it IS HIS WILL that NONE should perish.  It will be your will if you do perish - it's always through Jesus your choice is available.  Do Nothing - Get Nothing!

13:44    Hidden Treasure

à      [Matthew 13:44 NKJV] "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." 

Ø     [Proverbs 2:1-5 NKJV] 1 "My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, [And] apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, [And] lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as [for] hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God."
    See ALL the IF's and "AND's" that's what we need to work on, IF you want to find the hidden treasure Abba has for you - hidden and protected for you in the darkness.
    Hidden treasures can be just a present, that Jesus or Abba want you to have.  Remember those windows [in Heaven He promised you in Malachi [Chapter 4]?  Or all the gifts He has, that He wants to give you?  This is the hidden treasurers He has for all of us.  Storerooms of them!  Just to share His LOVE for YOU!
    I know all of this may seem hard some days, but He only asks you to do your best and the more you do, the greater treasurers you'll receive.  We really HAVE A GOOD GOD.
    The FEAR of the LORD is doing without Him in our life, with His blessings, gifts, protections ministering spirits, etc., - Nothing is impossible for God, just mankind.

13:45-46  A Costly Pearl

à      [Matthew 13:45-46 NKJV] 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
    The Pearl is the Best of HIS Best - US, and always purchased by Jesus' Death & Resurrection.  The stuff we buy usually is on sale and has little or no value - it wears out, breaks down, or corrodes in a few years and we end up with no room to keep it, so we pay for a storage shed instead of selling it, or giving it to someone it would help.  Giving away your excess that works, or is still good brings blessings.  Never throwing out anything, makes us pack rats.  Is your house overloaded?  Are you a pack-rat?  There are homeless in every city, in every country, who feel blessed to have in the winter; some socks, hats and scarves - anything to keep them warm.  THAT WOULD PLEASE ABBA!
    What is the significance of a PEARL?  The healing aspects and symbolic meanings of a pearl are numerous: Pearls have a soothing influence. Pearls are said to reduce over-sensitivity and promote peacefulness. They have a way of lifting our spirits. Pearls also bring out purity, honesty & integrity, plus feeling of beauty, dignity and calm.  And isn't that what our Lord has offered us, by dieing on the Cross for us?

13:47-52  A Dragnet

à      [Matthew 13:47-48 NKJV] 47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 "which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away."
    A Dragnet's meaning = a large net, they drag to catch various fish
    The good fish are the righteous Christians who walked with Christ on earth.
    The bad fish are the wicked.

à      [Matthew 13:49-50 NKJV] 49 "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 "and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
    This will not be a pretty sight, and I believe even worse the 2nd time, after the "Church is Raptured".  Why?  Because they would have lived for a 1,000 years with no evil force - except their own flesh.  So no one can say "THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!

à      [Matthew 13:51-52 NKJV] 51 "Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." 52 Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe [who has become a disciple of the Kingdom NASB] instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure [things] new and old."
    I'm surprised the NKJV uses "scribe" because many were like a Secretary of the State, corrupt.  Many thought they were better than the priests - egotistical.  Whereas; a "disciple" was someone who studied under Jesus.  Hopefully their name won't be Judas - haha.

Ø     [Matthew 23:15 NKJV] 15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves."

13:53-58  Jesus Revisits Nazareth

à      [Matthew 13:53-56 NKJV] 53 "Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this [Man] get this wisdom and [these] mighty works? 55 "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 "And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this [Man] get all these things?"
    Shocking, people will accept what you do in God's Name, in fact be joyful for your help.  But they always seem to knock something.  Like here; first they praise His wisdom, then ask how can this be - He's from our community, we saw Him play as a child, his mom is Mary and he had brothers and sisters.
    What many ignore, is that ABBA can use anyone HE wants, from a child to a granny.  Because He gives them their calling [preordained] and wisdom to do it.  It's not how you are raised, or by whom, or whatever your family has done - or not done, fat or skinny, black, white or purple - it's immaterial.  Just, are you standing in the Body of Christ - walking in His Word, that's all that matters.
    In the meantime, Jesus could do little healing because people would not accept Jesus [even with His wisdom] because they knew His family background.

Ø     [Titus 3:9 NKJV] "But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless."

à      [Matthew 13:57-58 NKJV] 57 "So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief."
    What did Jesus say about being offended below?

Ø     [James 1:19-20 NKJV] 19 "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
    Anger if any form, does not represent anyone but the twerp [satan].  Out of the heart, the mouth speaks - so being offended, also affects your heart.

Ø     [Luke 7:23 NKJV] "And blessed is [he] who is not offended because of Me."
    These are the Words Jesus spoke to the Disciples of John the Baptist, who came to see if Jesus was the true Messiah, or if they should keep on looking for Him?  Jesus simply answered go tell John what you've seen and heard.

    I know these chapters get long, but has it been better taking a few scripture [bites] at a time, discussing them in how we can put Abba first in our life and do what pleases Him?  To me, enjoying the cake is good [but overloading sweets can upset your sugar balance], yet having smaller slices daily are more enjoyable - and last longer.  Let me know what you think.

    My prayer 4 U:  Father, in Jesus' Name I'm asking You to reveal, to Your Children, how to think from Heaven's perspective, so we can release Heavenly solutions in our lives and to help others, help us NOT TO LEAD with our head, but with the heart of JESUS!  -  In Jesus' Name - AMEN! and AMEN!

Blessing to ALL,

Sandy - The Lord's Servant