Matthew Chapter 13 Faithful Householder Free Reprint Article

NotifySnack

Christian Articles for All of your Publishing Needs!

LIKE US

Translate this Page Here

Word Count: 1234

Send Article To Friend

Print/Use Article

Contact Paul George

Matthew Chapter 13 Faithful Householder

by Paul George
8/15/2008 / Bible Studies

Matthew 13:51-52

Jesus closes the sea shore parables with a question and an illustration; first He asks the disciples if they understood the parables. There are two reasons for asking the question, first, if they understand the parables they will have little difficulty understanding what will happen when they begin fulfilling the mission to make disciples of all nations.

Evangelists, pastors, and teachers who have recently graduated from Bible College and universities and enter the Lord's harvest field leave the harvest field because they do not understand what is happening in their ministry. Somewhere in the educational process someone failed to reveal the response to the preaching of the Gospel message. Jesus clearly revealed the response in the sowing of the seed and this is what He wanted to know if the disciples understood.

A second problem, and most pastors and evangelists have encountered the problem is revealed in the sowing of tares. Although the call to preach the Gospel message is not a call to root out tares it is a well proven fact in the most faithful to the Lord and the church congregations there are tares. When we see congregations declining there is one of two problems, first the economy conditions, second the tares have taken control of the church and are doing what Apostle Paul warned Timothy would happen; accumulate teachers in accordance to their own desires and this results in the falling away from the faith.

The second reason for asking the disciples if they understood the sea shore parables. If the disciples did not understand the parables Jesus would have explained whatever it was they did not understand. It is important that whoever reads and hears the Word of God understand what they are reading and hearing preached or taught. Sad to say there are people who leave church Sunday after Sunday, leave Bible studies and do not have the slightest idea concerning what they have heard. There are even those who read the Bible and because that is what they do, read the Bible like you read any book, they do not understand what they have read.

If we want to grow spiritually we need to do more than read the Bible, we need to take the time to study the Bible and be in the place where the Holy Spirit will open our spiritual eyes and enable us to see what is in every passage of Scripture that will enable us to grow spiritually and avoid the fiery darts of the enemy. This also applies to the hearing of the Bible preached and taught.

Jesus has extended an invitation to all to come to Him for instructions, and this includes today's evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

All evangelists, pastors, and teachers need to be in the place where they can help those who are having a difficult time in understanding what has been revealed in the Word of God and they must be able to support what they preach and teach with the Word of God and not the traditions of men.

In verse fifty-two Jesus compares a disciple to a scribe and the head of a household. Why, a scribe? The disciples will have the responsibility the prophets in the Old Testament times had, and that is recording what they have heard and seen. Why, the head of a household? In this illustration, since Jesus has not revealed the building of His church, the household represents those who will make up the church. The disciples will be the ones who will bring out his treasure. Note Jesus said the treasure is what is new and old. What was revealed in the sea shore parables; what is new?

The sea shore parables dealt with the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven and it has been given to the disciples to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. It is now the responsibility of the disciples to reveal those mysteries to the people. The old refers to what has been revealed in the Old Testament concerning Israel, the promise concerning the coming of the Messiah, His ministry, the response to His coming and His ministry.

The treasure refers to what the head of the household has received from Jesus. Matthew is the head of a household. Matthew is a scribe. Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has faithfully brought out his treasure and revealed it for all to see and hear. Matthew has faithfully fulfilled the responsibilities of a scribe.

As the head of a household and a scribe Matthew has presented the evidence necessary to prove Jesus is the Promised Messiah. The evidence Jesus is the Promised Messiah is His birth and the worship of Jesus by the magi, His baptism and the announcement from heaven by His heavenly Father, His defeating of Satan in the wilderness, His teaching as one with authority and not like the scribes. The proof necessary to prove Jesus' has authority over defilement, distance, diseases, sickness, demons, and sin was recorded by Matthew in chapters eight and nine of his Gospel.

In chapter twelve Matthew begins this account of the rejection of the religious leaders of Israel. In chapter 13 Matthew records the change that takes place in Jesus' ministry and teaching and the rejection of the people of His home town. Because of their unbelief Jesus did not do many miracles in His home town.

One of the greatest enemies of the professing body of believers in Jesus and individuals is unbelief. While Matthew tells us Jesus did not do many miracles in His home town because of the unbelief. However, we must be very careful in claiming unbelief is the source of the failure to see miracles in the church and individuals.

The miracles Jesus performed had a duel purpose, first they were motivated by the compassion of Jesus. If there is one thing missing in the world today and sad to say in many churches, is compassion. Compassion will draw the suffering and dying world to Jesus. On the other hand condemnation and finger pointing will drive the suffering and dying world farther away from Jesus. Why do you think the crowds followed Jesus? We know they were bringing their suffering and dying to Him to be healed. However, there was a greater motivation. It was something that was lacking in the religious leaders of His day. In the religious leaders of the day the people did not see any compassion in what they were doing. Even when Jesus warned the people of the consequences of sin His warning was motivated by compassion. Today, we see the compassion of Jesus. In a world that puts Sodom and Gomorrah to shame it is the compassion of Jesus that is holding back the hand of judgment and punishment. However, there is a day coming when the hand of compassion will be lowered and the One seated with His heavenly Father interceding for the suffering and dying, pleading for one more day will be sent to bring His bride to a place prepared for her in the house of the Father.

Matthew was a faithful head of a household. He was a faithful scribe. Matthew followed the example set by Jesus. Today, every evangelist, pastor and teacher must follow the example Matthew followed if they expect to hear the words, well done good and faithful head of a household.

Retired pastor,Church of the Nazarene

Author of web site Exploring God's Word

www.thewordofgodonline.net

New American Standard Bible

King James Version

The World English Bible

Sermons and Bible studies preached and taught by author

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW