# 14 -- The Mustard Seed

Matt 13:31-32 | Mark 4:30-32 | Luke 13:18-19

This week is a continuation of Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of Heaven, a messaging that aims to help us to better understand heavenly concepts utilizing earthly metaphors.

His goal this time...Perspective. He begins with a mustard seed. He draws careful attention to the size in case the listener is unaware--it's size in maturity is by and large the most drastic yield when compared to nearly every other seed at start.

Mustard seed (left) and a for comparison a mustard bush (right)

# 13 -- The Growing Seed

Mark 4:26-29

Last week we examined Jesus' introduction to a series of parables that would hopefully provide a well-rounded understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven

We continue with installment 2 on the parable of the growing seed... Two weeks ago we talked about the 4 types of soil that receive His Word. The important takeaway being we're all the same soil--unique in how each responds to the plow.

Then the 'Wheat and Tare' reminded us the war we fight today is one that's been waged since the garden.

# 12 -- Weeds Among Good Plants

Matt 13:24-30, 36-43

A field owner plants good, but an enemy sows bad in the same field. Many think this is about believers vs non-believers but it goes much deeper than that. The parable told here would have been extremely relevant to the region and the times--as with all parables Jesus was attempting to bring clarity to a spiritual concept through earthly application.

The farmer would have been the most prominent profession. Jesus addresses them.

# 11 -- Sower and 4 Types of Soil

Matt 13:3-8 | Mark 4:3-8 | Luke 8:5-8

The Jesus movement is quickly gaining attention. There have been several miracles performed since beginning His ministry and people are hungry for more.

What will He say? This may be His largest crowd yet--it says the gathering was so big they began to push him into the water so they can hear or see Him better.

He has to climb into a boat...but when He talks to the crowd it says He speaks to them in many parables.

He begins with a sower.

# 9 -- The Unfruitful Fig Tree

Luke 13:6-9

This one could stir up some feelings but I intend to allow ample time for conversation, questions, prayer.

I ask one favor: Be patient with one another and remain kind. Not everyone is at the same mile marker in this journey. Now first, to context--

Jesus is teaching in the synagogues when someone gives him news of Galileans that had been killed by Pilate. In first century Israel to die suddenly implied you had sinned greatly and this was the result of God's judgment.

# 8 -- Servants Must Remain Watchful

Luke 12:35-40

Jesus is seemingly still addressing the crowd from the bigger barns parable. He tells them to seek first the kingdom of God, sell off possessions, and to seek treasure in Heaven.

He then tells them to get ready. The initial warning given says to "be dressed in readiness, and to keep your lamps lit". The phrase "dressed in readiness" would have meant to gird up your loins.

The clothing reference would have looked more like the below image in first century Israel.

# 7 -- Rich Man Foolishly Builds Bigger Barns

Luke 12:16-21

The evil wealthy man is a recurring theme in scripture...the story of the bad guy twirling his mustache with his ill-gotten spoils. Not this parable. Actually, the fact he's wealthy isn't the issue at all. Context first--Jesus is preaching in the area of Galilee and He's addressing a large crowd when a young man stands up and says "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me"

Jesus responds with:

# 5 -- Moneylender Forgives Unequal Debts

Luke 7:41-43

This week's parable takes place at the house of a Pharisee Simon for dinner. The man of status sees Jesus' ministry is gaining lots of attention but Jesus is about to shift the focus to an uninvited guest. Context:
- Jesus has just healed a centurion's servant from a distance (ie no laying of hands, making mud, etc. The first of it's kind)
- Jesus also raised the only son of a widow after hearing funeral procession and feeling great compassion for her (the first dead to be raised)

The Meaning of Life--5 Points

https://twitter.com/warpath2pt0/status/2009676776105283715

1. To Fear God and Keep His Commands

“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” --Ecc 12:13

After exploring pleasure, success, wisdom, and toil, Solomon says life’s meaning boils down to reverent obedience to God.

# 4 -- Wise and Foolish Builders

Matt 7:24-27 | Luke 6:47-49

This week's parable was Jesus' cap to the sermon on the mount. He wanted to ensure attendees understood it wasn't enough to merely hear His words and remember them, but to walk it out. The parable also comes after what some consider to be the scariest verse in scripture (Matt 7:21)--Believers fear this verse because they're worried they haven't done enough to earn heaven. Believers that fear this verse don't understand the Gospel.

# 3 -- Lamp on a Stand

Matt 5:14-15 | Luke 6:47-49

Jesus gave his believers many labels that all come with unique responsibilities--he wanted to make sure we knew where we came from, who we belong to, and what we should do with that in mind. I think He knew this would come in handy one day in a world both infatuated with identity and confused by how to apply it.

In 2025 we're gender confused and treat sexual preference like it's a fashion trend.

Nevermind religious division (Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Angelical, Episcopal, Reformationalist, Restorationist, .........

# 2 -- New Wine in Old Wineskins

[Matt 9:17 | Mark 2:22 | Luke 5:37-38]

Jesus didn't repeat himself very often but if he did you can bet it was important--this is not one of those times. Though it appears similar, the old garment and old wineskins parables are different lessons Jesus spoke in parables as a form of judgement to most, but to those seeking to draw closer He commanded understanding. They can be described as earthly stories with heavenly meaning.

The word in the Greek (parabalay) is used 50x in the NT--para (beside) and ballow (to place) literally means to set beside.

# 1--New Cloth on an Old Coat

Matt 9:16, Mark 2:21, Luke 5:36 I always like to give credit to context--nothing is coincidental in scripture.

So first, context----------

* By this time Israel has been oppressed by Rome for 90+ years
* Local Jews in each community were recruited to collect taxes for their oppressors (2 Types: Property and toll)
* Turning on your own people paid well but it comes at a price
- not allowed to attend temple
- not allowed to serve as witness
* Jesus has just called one of those tax collectors--Levi who would later be called Matthew as a disciple and the author in the new testament.
* To celebrate Matthew throws Jesus a party at his house with 'tax collectors and sinners' present

Interesting to see the different styles of response here when guns are drawn--

Backstory: 12/16 Austin nightclub calls police reporting an armed man in yellow attempting forced entry. Style #1: Ass & Armor

Not the best but is a response tactic and in some situations may be the only one you have time for--

Don't-- Don't--forget to clear before you clean

OTD May, 1861 John Lincoln Clem ran away from his home in Newark, OH at the age of 9 at President Lincoln's call for Union volunteers shortly after the start of the Civil War-- His first attempt failed after the 3rd Ohio Infantry Reg Commander informed him he "wasn't enlisting infants"--Clem next decided to try the 22nd Michigan Reg and was told the same.

CA Highway Patrol was shot yesterday--not much released yet but it looks like citizens were able to subdue the suspect and perform first aid Lots of user uploaded video on this one--

PSA--rotate your ammo

This is what happens when you repeatedly reload the same round day after day Excessive seating can lead to increased chamber pressure and ultimately damage to the firearm--

Don't- Don't-

In 1990, a cockpit window on British Airways Flight 5390 fell off midflight causing rapid decompression. Flight attendant Nigel Ogden just happened
to be entering the cockpit when he heard the loud bang and saw the pilot getting sucked out-- In the reenactment image, you can see Ogden holding onto his legs, while the co-pilot is trying to rapidly descend in order to reach a safer altitude. As the co-pilot attempted to contact air traffic
control to make an emergency landing, Ogden was starting to develop frostbite--

How long does it take the average person to recognize, assess, and act on a threat? Studies tell us it only takes 13 millisecs for our brain to recognize a familiar item or person