Tuesday, March 10, 2009

MITN XIII, Verses 33 - 43

33. He also described the all-pervasive and powerful influence of the Kingdom to them using this simile: “The Kingdom of/from the heavens is like leaven, or sour dough yeast, which a woman took and covered over in three measures of meal or flour till all of it was leavened, or until all of the yeast had risen” In this way He described the Kingdom as something that has authority in three dimensions.

34. All of these ideas were presented to the crowds as Jesus spoke to them in allegorical stories, using these kinds of similes. In fact, He basically said nothing to them without employing this style of story-telling, and teaching technique.

35. Again, this was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open My mouth and tell my stories, and hidden within the simple plotlines of each one will be the revelation of mysteries which have been hidden since the foundation of the world.”
36. Then He left the throngs and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, “Please, explain to us the story of the darnel in the field.”

37. He answered them, “All right… the One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

38. The field is the whole world as you know it, and the good seed are the children of the Kingdom. The darnel represents what was planted in the children by the enemy.

39. And the enemy who sowed it is that one who is an adversary to the authority of the Kingdom. The harvest is the close and consummation of this present age or eon, and the reapers are angels.

40. Just as the darnel is gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the close of this age when judgment comes on this nation.

41. But, in the larger context (the field is the world), this is about more than just the judgment coming on this nation, and the end of this present era. Ultimately, the Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will cull out of His Kingdom all that which causes the practice of lawlessness in the children*.

42. And will cast it into the consuming fire of God, where the pain of the purification process will cause them to weep and grind their teeth, until its ends are accomplished.

43. Then the righteous…those who are righteous by faith, along with those who have been purified by fire…will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears to hear be listening, and let him consider and perceive and understand by hearing.
(* see Jeremiah 31:33, 34 and Hebrews 8:8-12)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Some of my favorite parts....

In this way He described the Kingdom as something that has authority in three dimensions.

and tell my stories, and hidden within the simple plotlines of each one will be the revelation of mysteries

Son of Man (do you think this could mean humanity here?)

planted in the children

an adversary to the authority of the Kingdom.

angels (I think this means "messangers" here)

on this nation

causes the practice of lawlessness in the children

cast it into the consuming fire of God

the pain of the purification process will cause them to weep and grind their teeth, until its ends are accomplished.

those who are righteous by faith, along with those who have been purified by fire

Peace,
Dennis

Anonymous said...

planted in the children

I cant get that off my mind. That one phrase causes us to see this whole thing in a different light.

Peace,
Dennis

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Yeah, the CLNT says "Son of Mankind"...

...and I started to use "messengers" instead of angels...may change it...

Thanks

Unknown said...

Pulling out my 16-translations-in-one again--well, in two, actually. But for now, v.43 is sweet to the soul..."along with those who have been purified"...now THAT is an "It-is-Finished" victory worth dying for!

wordver: smanand..."s[on of]man and"...oh, I'm thinking..."the whole world!"



PDennis, how you do dat? U for underline? What html tag triggers color here?

Anonymous said...

AVATAR, he probably just wrote it in a different program like word and cut and pasted. I think that should do it. I only know because he told me to do that one time. You are so smart Pr. Dennis!

Anonymous said...

Morning Bish,

It is good that you used angels but fine if you change it. The word angel means messenger to me and I believe in the mystical kind as well as the human kind but I'm fifty somthing. I can understand why you might rethink this for the present generation but I also wonder if it might not be good for them to consider the archaic term and include it in their vocabulary.

Pastor Dennis has an excellent ear for hearing. I like the phrase, planted in the children also.

P. Dennis, this is a multi-faceted term to me. I can see that the enemy planteing it in the children could be an evil spirit, another human, our own mentality and lack of understanding or perhaps even God on some occassions in a way that he used Satan in the book of Job. I totally love how it is pointed out here that we, the children of the Kingdom are the good seed and the darnel is planted in us. This puts the onus where it belongs. After we tire of trying to weed out our own lives then we begin to understand the process of life a little better and we can develop a more cheerful outlook toward ourselves and others. Seeing myself as blessed only and not cursed in any way by God helps me personally move forward at this point in my journey. I don't know to what degree the darnel in me has already been purged but it seems that I may have been purified a few times.

Bish, this is still speaking to me in terms of hearing with my heart (that may also become an archaic term but hearing with my inner man doesn't work as well for me).

There is much to think about here.

JB

PS. veriword - judigh, tell Judah this made me think of him.

Anonymous said...

If I see the kingdom as within me--I see old sub conscience (strong holds) being cleared up and cleaned out (some people call this 'recovery’ or asking God to remove these defects of character; others may name this getting psychologically healthy and getting free of neurotic fear, addictions, depression, anger, perversion, anxiety, poor self concept, etc.) Then I see the kingdom working in me and manifesting in my thoughts, attitudes and actions.
I am still getting used to
the “ Kingdom is within me”. This has been said, but I need to hear it over and over and use the power of God with this truth in my life.
“Some will say the Kingdom is here or there, but the Kingdom is within you.”
This is totally radical: this Kingdom is not a place, not righteous acts, not a beautiful day with all going my way, not circumstances. I have been seeking a clear definition of the ‘KINGDOM of GOD’ for a while now.
Let’s keep on seeking, and we will find.
Annon in North GA

Anonymous said...

What I like about the pic is how it reminds me of the Chinese word 'chi' and its relevance to energy, harmony and the Universe.

Verse 33 seems like that. The symbolism of the meal measurements here, connects me to other Scripture verses. The good, acceptable & perfect will of, as well as facets of the Godhead. Eternity, a la, past, present & future.

I appreciate how Jesus compared the Kingdom to leaven. It ferments, it expands. It has the quality of permeating, altering and transforming.

A woman grasped, seized or captured a concept. Wow! Is this allegory about Eve, restored? Not just through Adam - her own personal reconstruction.

I'm laughing to myself that I've never "seen" this before. (thanks, Bish!) Jesus is the King of kings. Is He also the sour dough in this simile? He's the son of Mary.

Her name means, "bitter". She covered God's promise from Gabriel. She kept her heart covered when the shepherds discussed what they'd seen and heard about the birth of Christ.

She covered Him in swaddling cloths. She was there when He was offered vinegar on a sponge. Someone covered His face with a napkin. What if this corresponds to John 3:34 and the manifestation of symmetry?

Just a thought. Or a bazillion. It's so fun looking for the treasure!

Anonymous said...

I know we are on Matthew chapter 13:33-43. But I feel led by the Spirit to post this today, on Matthew 6:25-34.

Good Afternoon,

Be encouraged Today remember God will take care good of your every needs and every situation in your life. Don’t allow Worry to overtake you.

On Matthew 6:25-34--- God gives us seven reasons why we should not worry.

Matt.6:25- The same God who creates life in you can be trusted with the details of your life now.

Matt.6:26- Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

Matt.6:27- Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

Matt.6:28-30- God does not ignore those who depend on Him. Like us human does. (God is not a human, He is Spirit)

Matt.6:31-32- Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.

Matt.6:33- Worrying keeps from real challenges God wants us to pursue. (Worry is like fear)

Matt.6:34- Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Because of what Worry can do to us Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply. Worry may:
1. Damage your health.
2. Disrupt your productivity.
3. Negatively affect the way you treat others.
4. Can reduce your ability to trust in God.

How many ill effects of Worry are experiencing right now?

The difference between Worry and genuine Concern is that: Worry immobilizes, but Concern moves you to action. Again remember the same GOD who created life in you, really and truly can be trusted with the details of your life today.

Don’t forget Matthew6:34 – So don’t Worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will brings its own Worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today SAITH THE LORD.

Peace, Love, and Joy in the Holy Ghost,
Kettly

Anonymous said...

35. Also, I like how this is worded. ("I will open My mouth and tell MY stories.") Emphasis added; it's how I read it.

36. Look how His disciples came to Jesus, seeking an explanation. Suggests that it was a story He told everyone at the same time; not one He shared first/only with them.

The yeast was fermenting, expanding, permeating, altering and tranforming before their eyes.

37. Was He weary of repeating Himself? (like, "Haven't I been with you all this time & you still don't get Me?!")

41. I prefer the word angels as representatives of heaven, rather than mere messengers. The significance in authority is considerable. It's one thing, when a doctor (messenger) congratulates a woman on her pregnancy. But, when an angel says it...

Despite Gabriel's exhortation, Mary still had to endure the world's skepticism about her son's conception. The law entered ("Oy! Check her out. Teenaged, pregnant; no ring on her finger.") and grew, until Christ & His grace was delivered.

43. I appreciate the words: be listening, and let him consider and perceive and understand by hearing.

Anonymous said...

Thank you all for your comments on my comments. The reason I chose messengers instead of Angels is, first of all the original can mean either one. secondly and more importantly to me is that in my understanding of the actual working out of this story or simile in the plan of God for us, His servants. In the consummation of the ages God will use "us" as messengers of the true Good News and word of God. As we share this message of reconciliation, restoration, and salvation of all with the world; which actually is the power of God (Rom. 1:16) working to bring about this "weeding out" by separating those who will accept by faith, the Greatness, Goodness and Grace of God over and for all, from those who will not accept this message because of the hardness of their heart; and at the same time this powerful word (message) of the Kingdom will cause a purging that will seem like fire to those being purified by it.

JB that is a very insightful observation as if you had read my mind. That is exactly what my reasoning was. also you brought it right down where we live.

Avatar and Yvonne, Cutting and pasting from word wont work. but it is easy. just bracket the letter a with the right and left symbols at the beginning of the word or sentence, then at the end close the code with the / sign like this this is HTML code. you can see it at the bottom of this box. you can also use b for bold and i for italics.

Peace,
Dennis

Anonymous said...

Ha haa, well I will try that again. it read the code I was trying to show you. put a < before the letter a then a > after the letter a before the word or sentence. then close the HTML with the / symbol using it before the a like this /a inside the brackets <> . maybe the computer wont read the code this time. I cannot tell till after I have sent it.

Peace,
Dennis