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MATTHEW - Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
PART 2 - Christ teaches and Ministers in Galilee (Matthew 5:1 - 18:35)
D - The Unbelieving Jews and Their Enmity to Jesus (Matthew 11:2 - 18:35)
2. The Spiritual Growth of the Kingdom of Heaven: Christ Teaches in Parables (Matthew 13:1-58) -- The Third Collection of the Words of Jesus

c) The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:31-35)


MATTHEW 13:31-32
31 He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; 32 which indeed is smaller than all 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 lodge in its branches.”
(Ezekiel 17:23, Mark 4:30-32, Luke 13:18-19)

A matchstick is small, yet it can burn much. Thus is the Word of God. It is like a small spark that can create a fire that covers the whole earth. Christ guides us to the power of the Word of God that works with deliberation and confidence. He who would testify Christ’s name and salvation should be deliberate, for the word of the cross is full of the power that is able to recreate anew. Though the books that fill the world, with their different doctrines and thoughts, glorify the ability of man and neglect the cross and what it means, no book in the world is as widespread as the gospel, for millions of men take comfort, power and eternal life out of it every day.

Christ likens himself to the despised mustard seed, which grew and became a great tree, stretched out to every part of the world, giving ripe fruit to the peoples. Christ’s indirect influence on the worldly cultures through Christian thoughts is more effective than we know. The birds on the branches are not a part of the tree. They land on the tree, taking simple leaves with their beaks without getting to the power. Thus are those that profit from Christ but do not continue in Him. Yet whoever believes in Him and penetrates into His word, shall experience peace, joy, and goodness in His heart.

MATTHEW 13:33-35
33 He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.” 34 Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”
(Mark 4:33-34, Luke 13:20-21, Psalm 78:1-2)

When the woman hides the leaven in the meal, it is with the intention that it enhance the taste and texture throughout. So we also must treasure up the word in our souls, that we may be thoroughly sanctified by it (John 17:17).

As the leaven makes the dough useful and ready for baking, so the Word of God changes corrupt man to become useful and righteous. Without Christ’s work we remain wicked, selfish, and sluggish, but the Holy Spirit makes us servants to feel with the poor and pray for those that disturb us. As the leaven works silently and insensibly, so the Holy Spirit works silently in the hearts of believers.

Without the Word of God, the world remains poor, weak, and lost. But now we see in the teachings of Christ all the power of God and the gifts of His kingdom that are hidden there. The Holy Bible is more precious than refined gold. Keep many of its verses in your heart and you will collect a treasure that will last forever. Then these words become a power in you that will be able to change others and bring joy and delight to many.

The leaven actively works fermenting the whole lump of dough. “The Word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). The leaven works speedily, so does the Word, and yet gradually. It works silently and insensibly (Mark 4:26), yet strongly and irresistibly. It does its work without noise, and so is the way of the Spirit, working without fail. The hidden leaven in the dough works thoroughly and actively, and the entire world cannot hinder it from communicating its taste and texture. Though none sees how it is done, a little leaven affects the whole lump.

PRAYER: O Father, We thank You because You sow Your word in our hearts and homes. We believe that it does not return void, but shows its power, exploding the stony hearts, and making them a living tree that bears much fruit. Please implant our peoples with Your Holy Spirit and begin by sanctifying our families that we may all become spiritually minded and good.

QUESTION:

  1. What do we learn from the parables of the mustard seed and of the leaven?

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