Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 13:31-58. In this Scripture, Jesus is telling more parables about the kingdom of heaven. Have you ever taken time to really look at these parables closely to see what Jesus is saying?
Look at Matthew 13:36-43, the disciples ask Him to explain the parable of the tares of the field, which was given in the Scripture from the previous lesson, and Jesus explains it to them. The one who sows the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom of God. The tares are the children of the wicked one, which were sown by the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are the angels.
As you look at the other parables that He talks about in this Scripture, you will see a pattern in the comparisons. The parables seem to say that there will be unbelievers along with believers and there will come a time when they’ll be separated. One group, the children of God, will enter the kingdom of heaven, and the other group, the children of the devil, will be cast into the lake of fire.
Again, Jesus says, “Who has ears to hear let Him hear.” Jesus has been trying to tell the people about the things of God through these parables: some will understand and take heed to what He says, and some won’t listen. Jesus goes on to tell the disciples more parables, which talk about the gathering of His people.
Jesus goes to His own country to share the gospel with them, and the people were offended by Him. They saw Him grow up, they knew His family and they couldn’t understand where He got all His wisdom. This tells us that, as we are trying to share the Word of God, the people we are closest to may not listen or understand what we are trying to do. It may be the people of this world we don’t know personally who will listen and hear what the Word of God has to say to them through us.
As you read these parables and try to understand what Jesus was saying, if you haven’t accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, and He speaks to your heart today, please seriously consider accepting Him. Pray and ask God to forgive you of your sins, cleanse your heart, and accept Jesus as your Savior. If you receive Him as your Lord and Savior today, please contact us to let us know, so we can pray for you. May God bless you all!
Daily Bible Reading:
Matthew 13:31-58
31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto 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 which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Things to think about:
- Doesn’t it startle you about how the people who knew Jesus best wouldn’t listen to Him?
- Does reading these parables help you to understand better what Jesus is talking about?
- Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for these parables that Jesus told about the kingdom of heaven. Help us to understand them, and to take to heart the true meaning of them. Help us as we try to share the gospel with others. Please open their hearts and minds so they might understand that You sent Jesus to die for their sins, so they won’t have to suffer the punishment of hell. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
– Matthew 13:31
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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ
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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.
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