As we begin the New Testament, we study this week from the gospel of Matthew. To do so, we will first look at the focus of Matthew’s gospel and his intended audience. He explains the mystery of the Kingdom of heaven, specifically the church age. Furthermore, as we come to the parables of the Kingdom found in Matthew 13, we are given the truth of the gospel. Therein is a glimpse into this mystery and statements as to the mystery of the absolute security of salvation. Therefore, my prayer is that by the time we complete this lesson, you will be certain of the truth of the kingdom and how to know with certainty that you are saved.
He moves then to explain the blindness of the people who will never see as they desire the darkness, their faith is superficial, or they are too concerned with the things of this world. What were they to know and what is the mystery shared with those who have ears to hear and eyes to see.
without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory. I Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)
The King of the Kingdom Arrived on Earth
Matthew presented Jesus as the King. This he did very masterfully. He began in chapter 1 presenting the genealogy of Jesus Christ from Abraham to Joseph his stepfather. He was in the perfect line of King David, just as God had foretold. Furthermore, Mary was in the line of David. Yet, as God also said, the line of Jeconias, the son of Josiah, was corrupted. Therefore it would have appeared God was the Father of Jesus. However, Jesus was the “Son of David” with the right as the King of all the people of Israel through Joseph without Himself being in the direct bloodline of Jeconias. (God always has a plan though the devil tries to thwart the plan of God. He legitimately could and will set up the final Kingdom. This is meticulously laid out by Matthew.
So, all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Matthew 1:17 KJV
Then in Matthew 2, we are presented with the Wise Men who after years of study came to bow before the newborn King. They had concluded that He was King for they had seen the star. In their travel to the newborn King, they stopped in Jerusalem to inquire as to where he was to have been born according to scripture. The wise men in the court of King Herod told them Bethlehem. Furthermore, after they visited the baby, Joseph fled to Egypt to protect Jesus as he was warned Herod sought His death. That also fulfilled scripture regarding Jesus as King being drawn out of Egypt.
Further Proof of Jesus as King
The Old Testaments profits and foretold of a Messenger (a prophet) Coming to announce the King.
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Matthew 3: 1-3
Furthermore, when Jesus came to John the Baptist, we are told.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:13-17
After this, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan; however, He did not succumb to any of the temptations presented Him. This also proof of His Kingship. Then He began to call his apostles, starting His ministry, preaching the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17.
What did He mean the Kingdom of Heaven at Hand?
Throughout His ministry, He taught repentance for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, just as John the Baptist had taught. Could He have established the Kingdom they wanted Him to? He could do anything He wanted, but there was this key element. They had not come to a point of repentance; nor true worship which would be necessary for the Kingdom of Heaven to come to earth. Many came only because they wanted what they believed He could give them, but did not want to worship Him. Indeed many followers are just that. The Old Testament had been clear that without the shedding of blood there was no remission for sin. Isaiah had clearly foretold of the suffering servant who would shed His blood in their place. The innocent for the guilty.
Yet, His ministry would be rejected by the elite of Israel and their judges. He would be rejected by the majority. It was not time for His Kingdom on Earth to be established.
Therefore, the final Kingdom would have to be delayed until some future date. That will be when Jesus returns to earth in the second coming to set up His Kingdom. At that time all of Israel will have come to repentance and accept Him. However, in the interim is set up the church age, often referred to as the mystery of the kingdom. This would be the time span we are in until all is ready for the rapture, followed by the final cleansing of Israel. That final cleansing will occur through the tribulation when finally, the people will come to worship Him. They would grieve over Christ who was pierced for their sin (Zechariah 12:10) God never forsook His chosen people and will fulfill all He has promised. Their day will come.
Proving His Kingship through teaching and miracles
Matthew 5 through 7 Jesus preaches with knowledge and authority beyond that which could be earthly. Herein, He teaches with such authority that only the Son of God could. He was obviously the King of Kings, the awaited Messiah. Then there were the miracles outlined in Matthew 8-10.
Despite all this, Jesus was rejected by the majority and by the leaders of the synagogue. Jesus rebuked the cities for their disbelief. As Matthew pointed out–Jesus is the King, the long awaited Messiah. However, they did not believe. Even after He resurrected from the dead, they paid the soldiers to lie. That is how hardened was their hearts. Seeing they could not see, hearing they could not hear
Then He began to reprimand the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in [s]sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.” Matthew 11:20-24 (NASB).
Ah, but to all those who believe is the Kingdom of heaven given
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Matthew 11: 25-27 KJV
To Them He Calls Forth
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30 KJV
Thus we move forward to where Jesus reveals the kingdom of heaven to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. Not before He is fully rejected by the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and even His own family call Him crazy. This leads us forward to chapter 13 where He begins to preach in parables. I want to concentrate much of the remaining teaching to the parable of the sower. All of the above study was merely an introduction to give context and meaning to what we must focus on now.
The Kingdom of Heaven Taught Through Parables
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Matthew 13: 1-2 KJV
There was a huge crowd that gathered. Some came to listen with skepticism knowing they would not believe, some came seeking miracles from Jesus, many came bringing all their own trials and desires to which they clung tightly, and a few came completely void of themselves wanting to surrender all to follow Him.
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13 3-9 KJV
So, why teach the kingdom of heaven in parables?
That is the same question asked by the disciples
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Matthew 13:10 –12 KJV
They really did not understand either. However once the crowd seeking other things dispersed, He would teach those who really were seeking Him. Others would leave annoyed. Some came for a miracle and got a story instead. Others came and wanted to be a part of the crowd thing, very excited but also left when He gave them stories instead. Some were just annoyed or bothered by the story telling. It is a way to weed out the crowd to those who really wanted to know the truth and know Jesus.
A further explanation:
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias (Isaiah), which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Matthew 13:13-15
These are those whose hearts are already hardened because they choose not to see the things of God. God lets them continue in their hardness.
Like Romans 1 Says.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:18-22 KJV
In their own prideful self-deceit, they chose not to seek any truth apart from themselves. Meanwhile, His true disciples knew they were sinners in need of a Savior. Truth could only be found following the master so to them, He said.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew 13: 16-17
So What Does the Parable of the Sower really mean? Jesus Explains
In Mark 4:13, Jesus explains that the what the sower is sowing is the Word of God, the truth. Remember Jesus is the Word. So what the seed that the sower sows is the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All the soils are that soil; but some are hardened and impenetrable unless tilled. Some are nice and soft on top but with a layer of rock beneath which would need to be chipped away before usable. While others may be filled with thorns and weeds which have not been properly removed before the seed falls on it.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Matthew 13:19 KJV
This is the seed that fell on hard ground. A heart so hardened and embittered against God that no seed can penetrate that heart. Immediately as the Word is sent out, it is snatched away by lies. For those individuals we may pray God till their heart.
What About Those Who Seem to Start to follow?
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matthew 19:20-21 KJV
This is the one who with great emotion and joy proclaim a desire to be saved. They may even run to be baptized and join the church. By all outward appearances, they are saved. However, there is no root. This is like the branch grafted into the vine but has no spirit or nutrients flowing through it from the vine. When things do not happen as they so desired, they are gone. If that job or relationship fails, well, they are out of here.
Another example that appear to be saved; but are not is the own sown among thorns.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Matthew 19:22
A good example of this may be the one who grew up in the church. By all counts they proclaim that they are Christian. On the outside all looked good, until they left for college or began a career. Maybe it was they fell in love and were drawn away by another to deny Christ. Perhaps, life just did not go as planned, so they walked away. There was never any firm foundation in Jesus Christ. They played the part well until they did not. Then their true heart showed itself. A heart devoid of Jesus Christ, never really surrendered.
The True Christ Follower—guaranteed the Kingdom of Heaven
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13: 23 KJV
Did not Jesus Say?
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:1-2 KJV
So, How Do I know If I am a believer?
- Knowing I am incapable of my own righteousness, I surrender life and soul to Jesus
- I will bear fruit—it may be less or more at times, but there will be some sign of fruit. And what is the fruit of the spirit? Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Is there any sign of growth? Do I long to know Him more today than yesterday?
- Can I answer honestly as did the Apostles when asked if they too would walk away?
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 6: 67-69 (KJV)
Conclusions
I guess the final question is? Do you know Him as Lord and Savior? Have you ever truly surrendered your heart to Him? If not. It is not too late. Today is the day of salvation. Turn to Him before your eyes are too blind to see or your heart to hardened to ever bow to Him.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024
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