GOD Morning! March 12 Boot Camp Day 7 / Do You Understand?

GOD Morning!  March 12

Boot Camp Day 7

Do You Understand?

Okay so just in case you are wondering, it is 3:35 right now. I went to bed at 8:30 last night. I awakened at 12:30 and tried to go back to sleep for an hour and a half, then I gave up, got up, made coffee and blogged! I am loving my boot camp journey. I feel such an inner calm that lasts all day! Wow!

Matthew 13:31-58

The Mustard Seed

³¹ He gave them another parable [to consider], saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; ³² and of all the seeds [planted in the region] it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air find shelter in its BRANCHES.” 

The mustard seed parable reminds me of the 100 times over crop yield that we studied yesterday.  How does the beautiful mustard seed tree get its start? By a tiny seed.

The Leaven

³³ He told them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and worked into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

³⁴ All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables, and He said nothing to them without [using] a parable. ³⁵ This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:

“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things [unknown and unattainable] that have been hidden [from mankind] since the foundation of the world.”

The Weeds Explained

³⁶ Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, “Explain [clearly] to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” ³⁷ He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, ³⁸ and the field is the world; and [as for] the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one; ³⁹ and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. ⁴⁰ So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin],⁴² and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. ⁴³ Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

This is a sobering mental picture. The angels gathering up the weeds (children of satan, things that lead people into sin, plus the people who lead others into sin) and throwing them into the furnace of fire. I sometimes pick and choose where to linger when reading Scripture. I like to study the happy ending stuff! But I must realize that even though I don't like to think about it, there is a 100% chance that this terrifying event is going to happen!

Hidden Treasure

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself].

A Costly Pearl

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, ⁴⁶ and upon finding a single pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

A Dragnet

⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was lowered into the sea, and gathered fish of every kind, ⁴⁸ and when it was full, they dragged it up on the beach; and they sat down and sorted out the good fish into baskets, but the worthless ones they threw away. ⁴⁹ So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw the wicked into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

Just in case we didn’t get it the first time, Jesus is describing the fiery furnace event again; this time, comparing it to sorting fish. God, I don’t want to be thrown away to be burned in everlasting fire. But I must realize that some of us will be thrown into the fiery furnace to burn forever and ever.

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things [in the lessons of the parables]?” They said to Jesus, “Yes.” ⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things that are new and fresh and things that are old and familiar.”

I feel like Jesus is speaking to me directly right now.

“Vicki, have you understood all these things?," He is asking me.

“Yes Lord. I am imagining that great and terrible day of distress. Being cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth forever and ever. Yes Lord. I am hearing You, and I am lingering on this disturbing passage. Yes, I understand that this is really going to happen. Yes, I understand that this can happen to me if I fall into sin or lead someone else into sin. I want to be clean. I want to be saved, Jesus!”

Jesus Revisits Nazareth

⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables, He left there. ⁵⁴ And after coming to [Nazareth] His hometown, He began teaching them in their synagogue, and they were astonished, and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers [what is the source of His authority]? ⁵⁵ Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ And His sisters, are they not [living here] among us? Where then did this Man get all this [wisdom and power]?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at Him [refusing to believe in Him]. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” ⁵⁸ And He did not do many miracles there [in Nazareth] because of their unbelief.

“Dear Jesus, I repent right now! I repent not only for myself, but for those who are falling into sin, or leading others into sin. I pray that their eyes will be opened before its too late! O God! Hear my plea! Lead me to someone today, O God. Please help me to snatch someone out of hell fire. Oh Jesus. I need Thee, Oh I need Thee. AMEN.”