Mustard Seed & Leaven

Section 54 
THE FIRST GREAT GROUP OF PARABLES
(Beside the Sea of Galilee) 
Subdivision E 
PARABLES OF THE MUSTARD SEED AND LEAVEN
MATT. 13:31-35
MARK 4:30-34d 

The commentators seems split on the intent of these parables. Jon Courson feels they are a warning for the Church not to become too institutionalized and big. Scofield believes the leaven is a warning not to allow doctrine to be added to, taken away from, or bastardized.


"The use of the word in the N.T. explains its symbolic meaning. It is "malice and wickedness," as contrasted with "sincerity and truth", it is evil doctrine in its three-fold form of Pharisasism, Sadduceeism, Herodianism. The leaven of the Pharisees was externalism in religion. Of the Sadducees, scepticism as to the supernatural and as to the Scriptures. Of the Herodians, worldliness--a Herod party amongst the Jews."-Scofield

Other commentators stand by the thought that these two images (mustard seed and yeast) were positive examples of the nature of the Kingdom.

"Therefore some feel that Jesus had in mind here the dynamic character of yeast. The nature of yeast is such that once the process of leavening begins, it is impossible to stop. Perhaps Jesus was implying that those who profess to belong to the kingdom would grow in numbers and nothing would be able to stop their advance. This idea fits with the nature of yeast and makes sense in the flow of these parables. -BKC

"This it does because it is leaven, and works according to the law of its own essence. It was not leavened in an instant, but by gradual infection; an emblem of the spread of the gospel in the soul. Professors do not become perfect all at once. Religion operates from individual to individual. Where leaven is at work it will be felt. It works amidst seeming improbabilities." -E. Mellor

I think both cases have strengths and hold truths to think through.

The Field of Wheat and Tares

Section 54

 THE FIRST GREAT GROUP OF PARABLES

 (Beside the Sea of Galilee) 

Subdivision D 

THE PARABLE OF THE TARES

Matthew  13:24-30 

and...
Subdivision F. 
THE PARABLE OF THE TARES EXPLAINED
MATT. 13:36-43

"The first four parables contained in this chapter were spoken to a miscellaneous crowd on the beach, the last three to the disciples in the house. The difference of audience is accompanied with a diversity of subject. The former group deals with the growth of the kingdom, as it might be observed by outsiders, and especially with aspects of the growth on which the multitude needed instruction; the latter, with topics more suited to the inner circle of followers." -MacLaren

More context--the Parable of the Tares appears only in Matthew, directly following the Parable of the Sower.  Mark's  parable of slow kingdom growth is similar in ways but has a different point.

"The parable of the sower dealt with the first reception of the gospel; this deals with the after-development. The aim of this parable is to prevent over-sanguine expectations as to the purity of the society of believers, and to hinder rash attempts to purify it by merely external processes." -Pulpit

Despite the comment above, the commentaries are divided as to whether the field is the world or the visible Church in the world specifically.  Thus, the parable is less about Church purity and discipline but broader in scope:

 "The parable simply teaches that in its mystery form, the kingdom of heaven will include the real and the imitation, the genuine and the counterfeit, and that this condition will continue until the end of the age." -Believer's Bible

"This parable and its explanation are sometimes urged as an argument against church discipline, but such a use of them is clearly erroneous. The field is not the church, but the world, and the teaching of the parable is that we are not to attempt to exterminate evil men. Any who attempt to exterminate heretics in the name of Christ by physical force are condemned by this parable." -Fourfold Gospel

Andrew MacLaren summarizes it simply--"MINGLED IN GROWTH, SEPARATED IN MATURITY."

Admittedly, I avoid thinking about evil--the specific workings of the Devil, his methods, and means.  Culturally, the Church swings from an over-obsession with Satan's workings to completely avoiding him altogether as a reality.   Neither extreme is healthy.  I think of Jesus' advice to the disciples on mission--"wise as serpents, innocent as doves"---this seems the most practical balance.  To avoid the thought of evil altogether opens too big a door for nativity to the Enemy's schemes, but to ruminate upon them unnecessarily creates fear and/or an unhealthy inflation of his capabilities and role.  Christ reigns.

"‘The devil is God’s ape.’ His work is a parody of Christ’s. Where the good seed is sown, there the evil is scattered thickest. False Christs and false apostles dog the true like their shadows. Every truth has its counterfeit. Neither institutions, nor principles, nor movements, nor individuals, bear unmingled crops of good. Not merely creatural imperfection, but hostile adulteration, marks them all. The purest metal oxidises, scum gathers on the most limpid water, every ship’s bottom gets foul with weeds. The history of every reformation is the same: radiant hopes darkened, progress retarded, a second generation of dwarfs who are careless or unfaithful guardians of their heritage."-Andrew MacLaren

"And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’" Matthew 13:27

The servant’s first question expresses, in vivid form, the sad, strange fact that, where good was sown, evil springs. The deepest of all mysteries is the origin of evil. Explain sin, and you explain everything. The question of the servants is the despair of thinkers in all ages. Heaven sows only good; where do the misery and the wickedness come from? That is a wider and sadder question than, How are churches not free from bad members? -Andrew MacLaren

Lessons

"Our Lord reserves the judgment to the end of the world. From this mixture of good and bad advantages result to both....The good by dwelling amongst the wicked see the pernicious consequences of vice. The good are a restraint upon the wickedness of the evil doers." BI

I admire the way Bonar examines the lessons from our Enemy; we would do well to study his ways, and be aware of his schemes:

"Why did this enemy thus go his way?
I. He did not wish to be seen. He did not care for the fame of doing the thing; all he cared for was that it should be done. How different from us i Satan does his work unknown, etc.
VI. He had other work to do. He does not abide in one place, he goes about to do work elsewhere. He is an incessant worker. What an enemy have we to fight with. “Resist,” etc." -H. Bonar, D. D., BI

"Though they are permitted to grow together for a time there is a destined period of separation. Many a sinner might have been worse than he is, but for restraining contact with Christians. We must not think that forbearance is equal to complacency of evil. A strong government can afford to tolerate its foes." -E. D. Green

An interesting thought:

"In a word, offences in this world must be discouraged by present punishment or else the world will be a scene of misery to the best men. Offences against God, though of a deeper dye, have not in them the same call for immediate vengeance. The ends of justice are best served by delay." T. Sherlock

Points in the parable
I. Inability to form perfect judgment of individuals now. Men are to be known by their fruits, but the fruits of a man’s life cannot be fairly judged until they are ripened and complete.
II. The duty of accepting profession now and leaving final judgment for God’s future.
III. The distinction between good and evil is vital, and there can be no real confusion between them.
IV. The distinction between good and bad persons will one day re clearly shown.
V. The temptation to use outward and physical forces to accomplish the aims of Christ’s church must be resisted. (Anon.)

Why Can't All Seed Grow and Bear Fruit?

This passage bothers me:

"Lest at any time they should be converted." Mark 4:12

Doesn't the Lord want all to be saved? Here's a thought from Jon Courson to consider:

"Why would Jesus teach in such a way that truth would be concealed? Simply because He will honor the wishes of every person. Therefore, if a person does not want to see, the Lord won't force His way upon him."  Jon Courson
"
Considering the larger context of this parable through the eyes of MacLaren has also been helpful:

"Luke is particular in dating this parable as spoken at a time when crowds resorted to Jesus, and the cities of Galilee seemed emptied out to hear Him. No illusions as to the depth or worth of this excitement beset Him. Sadly He looked on the eager multitudes, because He looked through them, and saw how few of them were bringing ‘an honest and good heart’ for the soil of His word. Just because He saw the shallowness of the momentary enthusiasm, He spoke this pregnant parable from a heavy heart, and as He tells us in His explanation of it to the disciples (ver. 10), uses the parabolic garb as a means of hiding the truth from the unsusceptible, and of bringing it home to those who were prepared to receive it. Every parable has that double purpose of obscuring and revealing. The obscuring is punitive, but the punishment is meant to be remedial. God never cheats men by a revelation that does not reveal, and the very hiding is meant to stimulate to a search which cannot be vain." -Alexander MacLaren

Our natural state:

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." Ephesians 2:1-3

********************************************
The Word, even when rejected, is not of zero effect:

"The gospel rejected or perverted does not lose its power, but now goes right on in driving the soul into deeper rebellion and hardness." -BI

And, it must start with the Word:

The Spirit operating upon the heart apart from the Word would be only to give a vague inclination without an object as its end and purpose. And therefore all religion that does not spring from the seed of God’s Word is a dim abstraction of an unreal sentimentality. It is aimless and powerless, the continual ploughing and harrowing of a field without putting any seed into it.

Section 53: The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Section 53
REPENTANCE ENJOINED
PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG-TREE
LUKE 13:1-9


The end of chapter 12 focuses on eternal thinking and preparing for the future kingdom.  Chapter 13 begins with Christ addressing some of the questions of the crowds about tragic human events.  Tragedy goes on around us all the time, sometimes hitting nearer than others.  It's good to hear Christ's clarification here--that sin and punishment do not work in such wooden ways.  It's also good to reflect that humans have been looking for distractions and justifications in current events for thousands of years.  Why are we so apt to consider the lives of others and their shortcomings above our own or over-wallow in our misfortunes?

"The incident is recorded nowhere else, but is in entire harmony with Pilate’s record for outrages. These Galileans at a feast in Jerusalem may have been involved in some insurrection against the Roman government, the leaders of whom Pilate had slain right in the temple courts where the sacrifices were going on. Jesus comments on the incident, but not as the reporters had expected. Instead of denunciation of Pilate he turned it into a parable for their own conduct in the uncertainty of life."  -Robertson's Word Pictures

"Jesus taught the crowds that calamity can happen to anyone because all are human. Jesus cited two common instances about destruction. The first concerned some Galileans who were killed by Pilate while they were offering sacrifices. The second concerned 18 seemingly innocent bystanders in Siloam who were killed when a tower… fell on them. Jesus’ point was that being killed or not being killed is no measure of a person’s unrighteousness or righteousness. Anyone can be killed. Only God’s grace causes any to live. " -Courson

"Whoever they were, it was a sad story; yet such melancholy accidents we often hear of: for as the birds are caught in a snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them, Ecc 9:12. Towers, that were built for safety, often prove men's destruction." -Matthew Henry

"If we will be judging, we have enough to do to judge ourselves; nor indeed can we know love or hatred by all that is before us, because all things come alike to all, Ecc 9:1." -Matthew Henry

Lessons from the Fig Tree

The fig tree in this parable is directly connected to the nation of Israel, so we should be careful about stretching the context too far, though the general principles of fruit bearing and advantages given to us as Christians seem naturally to extend to the Church as well as to Israel.

"The advantages which this fig-tree had. It was planted in a vineyard, in better soil, and where it had more care taken of it and more pains taken with it, than other fig-trees had, that commonly grew, not in vineyards (Those are for vines), but by the way-side, Mat_21:19. This fig-tree belonged to a certain man, that owned it, and was at expense upon it. Note, The church of God is his vineyard, distinguished from the common, and fenced about, Isa_5:1, Isa_5:2. We are fig-trees planted in this vineyard by our baptism; we have a place and a name in the visible church, and this is our privilege and happiness. It is a distinguishing favour: he has not dealt so with other nations." -Matthew Henry

"Note, Those who do not do good commonly do hurt by the influence of their bad example; they grieve and discourage those that are good; they harden and encourage those that are bad. And the mischief is the greater, and the ground the more cumbered, if it be a high, large, spreading tree, and if it be an old tree of long standing."-Matthew Henry

"Some have not yet grace to repent, yet it is a mercy to them to have space to repent, as it was to the old world to have 120 years allowed them to make their peace with God." -Matthew Henry

Section 52: Luke12--Part 1

Section 52 -
CONCERNING HYPOCRISY, WORLDLY ANXIETY, WATCHFULNESS, AND HIS APPROACHING PASSION
 (Galilee.) 
LUKE 12:1-59

First, here's some broader context for Luke's entire twelfth chapter which encompasses several difference audiences and lessons:

"Unto his disciples first of all (pros tous mathētas autou prōton). This long discourse in Luke 12 is really a series of separate talks to various groups in the vast crowds around Jesus. This particular talk goes through Luk_12:12."-RWP

Be Honest with Yourself, Others, and God

"...He began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops." Luke 12:1-3

 "Be sure your sin will find you out," the Word declares (Num_32:23)—not because God will track us down, but because our sin itself will." -Jon Courson

 "The true Christian, like the nightingale, sings in the night; but the hypocrite has all his songs in the day, when he can be seen and heard of men." -Biblical Illustrator

"The same is true with righteousness. Jesus shone on the Mount of Transfiguration because He was light. Thus, the real miracle of the Transfiguration is not that Jesus was shining. The real miracle is that His humanity was able to conceal His divinity for so long. Indeed, that which is inside a man comes out eventually." -Jon Courson

The Parable of the Rich Fool, by Bertram Poole

Focus on Heaven

"Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  -Luke 12:13-15

"Jesus, however, here, as on other occasions (see Joh_8:3-11), firmly refuses to interfere in secular matters." -Pulpit Commentary

 "Because the man was covetous, he could see in Jesus nothing more than a rabbi who might influence his brother. Our sense of want largely shapes our conception of Christ. Many to-day see in Him mainly a social (and economical) reformer, because our notion of what we and the world need most is something to set social conditions right, and so to secure earthly well-being. They who take Jesus to be first and foremost ‘a judge or a divider’ fail to see His deepest work or their own deepest need. He will be all that they wish Him to be, if they will take Him for something else first." -Andrew MacLaren

"Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:33-34

"Some might argue, from the sequel of the story, that God looks with disfavour on riches as riches. St. Augustine replies to such a mistaken deduction, "God desires not that thou shouldest lose thy riches, but that thou shouldest change their place" (’Serm.,’ 36.9).

"Possessions are dangerous because they can possess us. Did you get a new car—or did it get you? You used to be free on Saturdays to toss a ball with your kids. But now you have to wax your car, tune it up, keep it running. Small men seek to get. Great men seek to be." -Jon Courson

"In the world's stock market, the word is "Buy." In God's, it's "Sell." This doesn't mean you shouldn't have a home or a boat or a car. But if anything begins to possess you, leaving you less time and energy for the things of the Lord, sell it and invest in people, in heaven, in the kingdom." -Jon Courson

"He forgot Solomon’s words, "Boast not thyself of to-morrow" (Pro_27:1). Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. "Extremes meet," suggests Dean Plumptre; "and the life of self-indulgence may spring either from an undue expectation of a lengthened life" (as was the ease here), "or from unduly dwelling on its shortness, without taking into account the judgment that comes after it. The latter, as in the ’carpe diem’ of Horace (’Odes,’ 1.11. 8), was the current language of popular epicureanism" (see St. Paul’s reproduction of this thought, 1Co_15:32); "the former seems to have been more characteristic of a corrupt Judaism." -Pulpit Commentary

"God has given us all things not to possess, but to enjoy. The birds sing because they don't have to pay taxes, work on their wardrobes, or paint their houses. They simply enjoy what God gives. Do we do the same?" -Jon Courson

Section 52: Luke12--Part 2

Section 52 
CONCERNING HYPOCRISY, WORLDLY ANXIETY, WATCHFULNESS, AND HIS APPROACHING PASSION
 (Galilee.) 
LUKE 12:1-59


Keep Trusting

 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." -Luke 12:32

Anxiety is impotent. It only works on our own minds, racking them in vain, but has no effect on the material world, not even on our own bodies, still less on the universe.-MacLaren

The fourth reason bids us look with attention at examples of unanxious existence clothed with beauty. Christ here teaches the highest use of nature, and the noblest way of looking at it. The scientific botanist considers how the lilies grow, and can tell all about cells and chlorophyll and the like. The poet is in raptures with their beauty. Both teach us much, but the religious way of looking at nature includes and transcends both the others. Nature is a parable. It is a visible manifestation of God, and His ways there shadow His ways with us, and are lessons in trust..-MacLaren

How should we be anxious if we know that we have a Father in heaven, and that He knows our needs? He recognises our claims on Him. He made the needs, and will send the supply. That is a wide truth, stretching far beyond the mere earthly wants of food and raiment. My wants, so far as God has made me to feel them, are prophecies of God’s gifts. -MacLaren

 Anxious care is a denial of His love or knowledge or power. -MacLaren

That direction of all our desires and energies to the attainment of the kingdom which is the state of being ruled by the will of God, is to be accompanied with joyous, brave confidence. How should they fear whose desires and efforts run parallel with the ‘Father’s good pleasure’? They are seeking as their chief good what He desires, as His chief delight, to give them. Then they may be sure that, if He gives that, He will not withhold less gifts than may be needed. He will not ‘spoil the ship for a ha’p’orth of tar,’ nor allow His children, whom He has made heirs of a kingdom, to starve on their road to their crown. If they can trust Him to give them the kingdom, they may surely trust Him for bread and clothes.  -MacLaren

"Do not think of God as grudging! It is your Father’s good pleasure to give. Nothing delights Him more than to be able to “give good things to them that ask Him.” For Him also “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Remember that the best investments are those we store, not in banks, etc., but in the lives of others: for God Himself guarantees the interest." -F.B. Meyer

Discern His Boundaries, Enjoy His Freedoms

It's good to think deeply about God and His Kingdom--He's expansive and generous, but definite in scope and plan:

"God Himself sovereignly draws certain boundary lines. In some instances God allows us to a large extent to draw our own boundaries; in others He presently gives the final and decisive word, “Hitherto—no further.” It is important to know the difference between quantities which are variable and quantities which are fixed. This knowledge may save us a great deal of trouble, and prevent very much pain

Again, though you cannot add one cubit unto your stature, You MAY RELIEVE THE PAIN OF A THOUSAND HEARTS.

 Again, though you cannot add one cubit unto your stature, You MAY CULTIVATE AN EVER-DEEPENING ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE WILL OF GOD; you may know God more perfectly, read His Word with a clearer eye, receive the suggestions and instructions of His Holy Spirit more lovingly, more loyally and trustfully, so that you may be men in understanding. Let us go to them, then, knowing that we are limited in our little sphere; that there are marked and positive limitations in some cases; and that everywhere—excepting when we are growing up into the likeness of God—there is limitation. Let that rebuke human reason—let that curb humanselfishness let that stand by us when we read the Holy Word and try to solve its mysteries. And when we become weary of looking at our littleness, our experiments, and our impotence, and turn round in other directions, we find that we may take wings—strong, great, unwearying pinions—and fly away right up to the very heart and heaven of God! Though we be little we are great. Though we are shut in and confined and mocked in some directions, in other directions we are citizens of the universe, freemen of the whole creation. Blessed are they who know alike the limit and the liberty of human life!" -BI, J. Parker

Keep Watching

The one watching for the Lord's coming will be blessed because Jesus will gird Himself with a towel and will serve him, take care of him, bless him. It was to a cold, weary Peter that Jesus served a hot, hearty breakfast. Thus, even at a time of disobedience in his own life—even when Peter was fishing when he was supposed to be in Jerusalem waiting, he found in the hand of the Lord the very thing he had been searching for all night long (Joh_21:9).-Courson

Just as it is impossible for one to work off his debt once he's put in prison, those who are without Christ on the Day of Judgment will be cast into hell with no way to work their way out. Oh, to be watching and wise concerning the day of His appearing. -Courson

Section 51--A Warning to Leaders

"But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you." Luke 11:41

 "That is, give your inner life, your love, mercy, compassion, etc., to the blessing of mankind, and then your inner purity will make you proof against outward defilement." -Fourfold Gospel

Fourfold Gospel cross-references:

"Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Matthew 15:11

"Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled."Titus 1:15

"Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." Romans 14:4

BI commentary on Romans 14:4:

Strong and weak
Here is a lesson—

I. For those who are strong in the faith.
1. Not to provoke.
2. Nor despise those who are weak.

II. For those who are weak. Not to judge their stronger brethren.

III. For both.
1. To think and let think.
2. To give each other credit for sincerity. (J. Lyth, D.D.)

"But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Luke 11:42

"The Pharisees in paying the tenth part, or tithe, to God, were so exact that they offered the tenth part of the seed even of the spearmint, rue and other small garden herbs, and many contended that the very stalks of these plants should also be tithed. Jesus commends this care about little things, but nevertheless rebukes the Pharisees because they were as careless about big things, such as justice, and the love of God, as they were careful about herb seed. Rue was a small shrub about two feet high, and is said to have been used to flavor wine, and for medicinal purposes." --Fourfold Gospel

"Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over them know it not." Luke 11:44

"According to the Mosaic law, any one who touched a grave was rendered unclean (Num. 19:16). That they might not touch graves and be made unclean without knowing it, the Jews white-washed their graves and tombs once a year. But Jesus likens a Pharisee to graves which defiled men unawares. Their hypocrisy concealed their true nature, so that men were injured and corrupted by their influence without being aware of it." -Fourfold Gospel

"Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." Luke 11:52

 "A true knowledge of the Scriptures was a key which opened the door to the glories of Christ and his kingdom. Thus the lawyer had given away by teaching not the contents of the book, but the rubbish and trifles of tradition. They did not open the door for themselves, and by their pretentious interference they confused others in their efforts to open it." -Fourfold

Jesus reserves his most pointed criticism for the leaders.  From these passages, I glean that leaders should keep their eye on the big blocks of faith---love and justice.  Leaders must be careful not to create "pitfalls" that even inadvertently lead people under them to sin.

Leaders need to examine themselves regularly for the intent of their own hearts and the effectiveness of their leadership to others.

Mary and Jesus' brothers--Section 49 & 50

Jesus makes an important distinction here with regard to Mary.

"And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."  Luke 11:27-28

 "This woman is the first on record to fulfill Mary's prediction (Luke 1:48). It is the only passage in the New Testament which even suggests the idolatry of Mariolatry, but it was far enough from it, being merely a womanly way of expressing admiration for the son by pronouncing blessings upon the mother who was so fortunate as to bear him. Jesus does not deny the fact that Mary was blessed, but corrects any false idea with regard to her by pointing to the higher honor of being a disciple which was attainable by every one. 

Mary's blessing as a disciple was greater than her blessing as a mother; her moral and spiritual relation to Jesus was more precious than her maternal. Mary's blessings came through believing God's word (Luke 1:45). To know Christ after the Spirit is more blessed than to know him after the flesh--II. Cor. 5:15, 16; John 16:7."  -Fourfold

" And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." -2 Corinthians 5:15

"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more." -2 Corinthians 5:16

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." John 16:7 

 "It is remarkable that in the only two instances in which Mary figures in the ministry of Jesus prior to his crucifixion, she stands forth reproved by him. This fact not only rebukes those who worship her, but especially corrects the doctrine of her immaculate conception." -Fourfold Gospel

Strangely, I find it encouraging to think that Jesus' brothers and mother did not fully understand him.  The text portrays a very human and fallible perspective, as is our own often. 

Section 48: Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews

I decided to simply read through the Fourfold Gospel text and commentary this morning--not the text alone, not additional commentaries.   There is always the tension between moving through the scriptures in a way that gives perspective to the breadth of them, yet allows room for contemplation.  After two weeks in the Parable of the Sower, I feel ready to gain some ground.

I'm not sure if it's the AP Language and Composition prep or the sum of a gradual understanding, but this time through the gospels, I'm more aware of how logical and analytical Jesus is in his teachings.  He's a master of conversation, turning and reframing things in a fashion that puts the burden back upon the heckler, where it should be.  It's where it does the most good either way---causing the heckler to think or at minimum shifting it off the deliverer.

In this section, Jesus addresses the accusations that he is working as an agent of Satan.  There are several powerful take aways:  A house divided cannot stand; Bad cannot create good; evil is highly organized; there are invisible powers at work for both sides.  One more, there is no neutral ground: "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matt 12:29). And another--like produces like:"What is in the well will be in the bucket"-- Trapp

This subtle but important distinction is worthwhile too:

"And I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." -Matthew 12:36-37

"It may have seemed to some that Jesus denounced too severely a saying which the Pharisees had hastily and lightly uttered. But it is the word inconsiderately spoken which betrays the true state of the heart. The hypocrite can talk like an angel if he be put on notice that his words are heard. Jesus here makes words the basis of the judgment of God. Elsewhere [304] we find it is works (Rom. 2:6; II. Cor. 5:10), and again we find it is faith (Rom. 3:28). There is no confusion here. The judgment in its finality must be based upon our character. Our faith forms our character, and our words and works are indices by which we may determine what manner of character it is." -Fourfold Gospel

I admire the complexity of Christ's discourse and distinctions.  He encouraged his audience to think with both their hearts and hearts, to be consistent and persistent in pursuing God and loving men.

On Parables and Seed

"The parable mode of teaching was adopted by Jesus who, as Heart-reader, was aware now by sad experience and still sadder foreknowledge, that his glorious news rather repelled than attracted the ordinary hearer. They did not want to be disturbed from their earthly hopes and loves and fears. They preferred not to be healed as God would heal them." -Pulpit Commentary

"The veil which it (the parable) throws over the truth becomes transparent to the attentive mind, while it remains impenetrable to the careless" -Godet, PC

Lord, keep us uncomfortable with our sin and complacency.  Keep us curious and careful, especially when looking into your Word.

This passage bothers me:

"Lest at any time they should be converted." Mark 4:12

Doesn't the Lord want all to be saved? Here's a thought from Jon Courson to consider:

"Why would Jesus teach in such a way that truth would be concealed? Simply because He will honor the wishes of every person. Therefore, if a person does not want to see, the Lord won't force His way upon him."  Jon Courson
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Considering the larger context of this parable through the eyes of MacLaren has also been helpful:

"Luke is particular in dating this parable as spoken at a time when crowds resorted to Jesus, and the cities of Galilee seemed emptied out to hear Him. No illusions as to the depth or worth of this excitement beset Him. Sadly He looked on the eager multitudes, because He looked through them, and saw how few of them were bringing ‘an honest and good heart’ for the soil of His word. Just because He saw the shallowness of the momentary enthusiasm, He spoke this pregnant parable from a heavy heart, and as He tells us in His explanation of it to the disciples (ver. 10), uses the parabolic garb as a means of hiding the truth from the unsusceptible, and of bringing it home to those who were prepared to receive it. Every parable has that double purpose of obscuring and revealing. The obscuring is punitive, but the punishment is meant to be remedial. God never cheats men by a revelation that does not reveal, and the very hiding is meant to stimulate to a search which cannot be vain." -Alexander MacLaren

Our natural state:

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." Ephesians 2:1-3

I.
WHAT IS A PARABLE? It is a mode of instruction founded on the resemblances or analogies between spiritual and natural objects or events.
1. The form of the parable is a direct or indirect statement of a fact, or a narrative of either some possible or real event, that had occurred once or frequently. The growth of the mustard-seed is a fact of constant occurrence. The parable of Scripture differs from ordinary figurative language, not in its nature, but in its subject. And it might perhaps be correctly defined—a figurative description of religious doctrine.
2. To pass to the substance of the parables. We find their themes mainly to be—the sublime truths of grace, redemption, and retribution; the soul, its responsibilities and its destiny; the Church, and its destiny.
II. WHY DID THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TEACH BY PARABLES?
1. He designed to show the union between nature, human life, and the gospel. His presence among men was itself a manifestation of the Divine in the human, the invisible in the visible, the supernatural in the natural. The parable is a similar clothing of the unknown in the known, the heavenly in the earthly.
2. To unveil the mysteries of redemption.  -E.N. Kirk, BI

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The Word, even when rejected, is not of effect:

"The gospel rejected or perverted does not lose its power, but now goes right on in driving the soul into deeper rebellion and hardness." -BI

Parallels between the Word of God and seed:

And the Word of God is so compacted in the seed-form, because it needs to be unfolded in the teaching and life of man. H. Macmillan, D. D.

The Spirit operating upon the heart apart from the Word would be only to give a vague inclination without an object as its end and purpose. And therefore all religion that does not spring from the seed of God’s Word is a dim abstraction of an unreal sentimentality. It is aimless and powerless, the continual ploughing and harrowing of a field without putting any seed into it.

And let us remember that we must give our own life in the sowing, as the plant gives its life in the seed. H. Macmillan, D. D.

The Parable of the Sower--Broad Lessons

Lesson #1:

"It is no light thing to hear the Scriptures preached and taught. Those who hear are made more responsible than they ever were before. If they shrug off the message, or consider obedience an optional matter, they do so to their own loss. But if they hear and obey, they put themselves in a position to receive more light from God." -Believer's Bible

Lesson #2

II. AN HONOURABLE OCCUPATION MAY HAVE DISASTROUS RESULTS.
l. Unsuccessful results do not lessen the value of the seed.
2. Unsuccessful efforts should not be taken as the measure of the sower’s capacity and faithfulness.
3. Unsuccessful efforts must then be studied in relation to the sphere of operations.
4. The best seed will do no good on some lands.
5. The most skilful workman cannot turn a rock into a fruitful garden.

III. AN HONOURABLE OCCUPATION MUST HAVE BLESSED RESULTS, There will be patches of good ground in every farm. There are honest and good hearts in every community. No true teacher will have entire failure. -W. Burrows, B. A.

These are good reminders---our faithful work will bear some fruit, but we should not take the results as a direct reflection of our efforts.

Lesson #3

"The broad outstanding fact of the parable is tragic. Three failures and one success! It may be somewhat lightened by observing that the proportion which each ‘some’ bears to the whole seed-basketful is not told; but with all alleviation, it is sad enough. What a lesson for all eager reformers and apostles of any truth, who imagine that they have but to open their mouths and the world will listen! What a warning for any who are carried off their feet by their apparent ‘popularity’! What a solemn appeal to all hearers of God’s message!" -Andrew MacLaren

I think this applies to teaching and parenting too.  Jesus did not take his mission lightly, but neither did he romanticize the people's response or become personally offended by the poor results.  If it is our job to preach, to teach, we should rest in the value of our broader mission, not our learners' responses.

The Parable of the Sower--Commentary on the Three Fails

Along The Path
 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it."  Luke 8:5

"Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." Luke 8:12

The Pulpit commentary views this group as those who nod to religion, but in truth disregard it:

"The wayside hearers represent the great outer circle of men and women who more or less respect religion. It must be carefully borne in mind that in none of the four classes pictured in the parable are despisers of God, declared enemies of religion, portrayed." -Pulpit

Man's will is involved:

"Where the word of God is heard carelessly there is commonly a contempt put upon it too. It is added here in the parable that the seed which fell by the way-side was trodden down. They that willfully shut their ears against the word do in effect trample it under their feet; they despise the commandment of the Lord."  -Matthew Henry

The Shallow Ground

"It is the type of emotional hearers, who are superficially touched by the Gospel, and too easily receive it, without understanding what is involved. They take it for theirs ‘with joy,’ but are strangers to the deep exercises of penitence and sorrow which should precede the joy. ‘Lightly come, lightly go,’ is true in Christian life as elsewhere.

Emotion is good, if there are roots to it. But ‘these have no root.’ The Gospel has not really touched the depths of their natures, their wills, their reason, and so they shrivel up when they have to face the toil and self-sacrifice inherent in a Christian life." -Andrew MacLaren

The Weeds

"The man represented has not made clean work of his religion. He has received the good seed, but has forgotten that something has to be grubbed up and cast out, as well as something to be taken in, if he would grow the fair fruits of Christian character. He probably has cut down the thorns, but has left their roots or seeds where they were. He has fruit of a sort, but it is scanty, crude, and green. Why? Because he has not turned the world out of his heart. He is trying to unite incompatibles, one of which is sure to kill the other. His ‘thorns’ are threefold, as Luke carefully distinguishes them into ‘cares and riches and pleasures,’ but they are one in essence, for they are all ‘of this life.’ If he is poor, he is absorbed in cares; if rich, he is yet more absorbed in wealth, and his desires go after worldly pleasures, which he has not been taught, by experience of the supreme pleasure of communion with God, to despise." -Andrew MacLaren

"Mark that this man does not ‘fall away.’ He keeps up his Christian name to the end."
 -Andrew MacLaren

The Mystery of the Word--Sown Along the Path

The Parable of the Sower, JESUS MAFA, 1973

Three of the four gospels include the Parable of the Sower. Luke's account of the seed on the path reads as follows:

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it."  Luke 8:5

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved." -Luke 8:11-12

Matthew adds the significant phrase "and does not understand it."

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path." Matthew 13:19

Mark specifies the timing of this snatching, immediately:

"And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them." Mark 4:15

Our culture rejects the concepts of sin, hell, and the devil, belittling them as primitive, unenlightened.  The parable of the sower puts them squarely back in our court of nasty realities.

My immediate thoughts:

1. The 'trampled underfoot" suggests to me that the Word was not valued.

2. The Word of God is clearly critical in the lives of men.   It's the seed, the key element in this story.  It's the prize, valued by Satan and Jesus alike.

3. The Word can be taken from our hearts if and when we do not understand it.  There is something supernaturally different about understanding this word as opposed to understanding other writings.  We are told that a spiritual wrestling occurs over it and that "the devil," or "Satan," as Mark has it, sometimes wins, taking the Word away.

This clearly teaches that "spiritual warfare," a term that makes me wince a bi if I'm honest t because it is tossed around so carelessly in emotionally-driven Christian culture, is---whether we like it or not---a biblically sound reality.

4. Mark's "immediately" teaches that the stolen Word is not contemplated then rejected.  It doesn't linger in the mind or have a chance to begin germination.

4. Hearing the Word precedes and is key in salvation, for we are told the devil takes the word "so that they may not believe and be saved."

5. Belief precedes salvation.

6. People will hear and reject the Word, and the devil is the cause.

Questions I have:

Is the soil, the condition of our hearts?

Can the Word be taken from Christians too at other times?  Does the battle over it extend beyond salvation and into the process of sanctification impacting our continued growth and belief?

Heart Matters

My last post ruminated upon nobility and hinted at the question of our own will over our hearts.   To me, this becomes the same question of why some people are not "saved," why some people cannot understand the parables, why the Lord chooses to soften some hearts and not all.

It's a nasty question.

Heart sensitivity seems to originate from the Lord:

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Eze 36:27  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:26

From the other end, hardness of heart also seems to originate from God.   I think of the passages from the Exodus when Pharoah's hardness of heart is predicted to Moses.

"But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.."
 -Deuteronomy 29:4

You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt."  Exodus 7:3

After Aaron cast down his staff and it became a serpent, the Pharoah's sorcerers "copy" this sign, and the text uses the passive voice to state:

"Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said." Exodus 7:13

After the swarm of flies plague, the text reports,

"But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go."  Exodus 8:32

And then later the seeming opposite:

"But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses."   Exodus 9:12

What to make of these nuances?  Am I splitting hairs?  The nature and redemption of the heart is hardly a small question however; it's the center of our faith.

It becomes a bit of a "which came first the chicken or the egg" discussion.  In the largest sense, God is always is the original mover, the Alpha of it all.  The extent to which we cooperate with His plans is thus indisputable (As the original source and mover--it's His creation.  How could His purposes inherently NOT prevail?).  Yet, in another sense, as people and spirits, we participate--we are not just "dead wood."

Paul teaches the evil nature of the flesh:

"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out."  -Romans 7:18

And he teaches grace is fully from God:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

Perhaps it is all clearer than I think, and I just don't like the implications---why does God choose some and not all?  Can a fair God choose to do such a thing and be fair?

Here are some cross-referenced passages---the intentions of the heart and the sensitivity of the heart are interwoven through all:

"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45

"And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live."
-Deuteronomy 30:6

"Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn." Deuteronomy 10:16

"Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.” Jeremiah 4:4

"For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God."  -Romans 2:28-29

This intimate metaphor teaches that the Lord values sensitivity and vulnerability in contrast to stubbornness or pride.  Where does this sensitivity originate?  In one sense, it's a mute point--all comes from the Lord.  In another sense, the sensitivity of the heart, the goodness of the soil, the receptivity of the soul to its maker, is a larger conversation that I will explore in the next post.

These different types of character are capable of being changed. The path may be broken up, the rock blasted and removed, the thorns stubbed up. We make ourselves fit or unfit to receive the seed and bear fruit. Christ would not have spoken the parable if He had not hoped thereby to make some of His hearers who belonged to the three defective classes into members of the fourth. No natural, unalterable incapacity bars any from welcoming the word, housing it in his heart, and bringing forth fruit with patience.

The Fourth Type--Bearing Good Fruit

"As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience."  Luke 8:15

"The man who united the two qualities expressed by the term ’honest’ (better rendered ’noble’) and ’good,’ represented the beau-ideal of manhood. He was one whose aim was noble, and who was generously devoted to his aim. The expression rendered ’honest’ (better translated ’noble,’ καλός) has reference to aims or chief ends, and describes one whose mind is raised above moral vulgarity, and is bent, not on money-making and such low pursuits, but on the attainment of wisdom, holiness, and righteousness. The epithet rendered ’good’ (ἀγαθός) denotes generous self-abandonment in the prosecution of lofty ends; large-heartedness, magnanimous, overflowing devotion."  -Bruce, BI

There is a difference in the growth also, where the seed falls upon an honest and good heart. It germinates, not hastily, as where neither root nor moisture are found; not irregularly, and amidst perpetual resistance, as where thorny cares, deceitful riches, and ensnaring pleasures choke it; but “with patience”—progressively, uniformly. - J. Jowett, BI

"Bringing forth fruit with patience. Our motives may be good, so also may be our intentions and aims; but to give these their full value they must be carried into action. Actions, followed by habits, complete the character." -J. Thompson, B

"The fourth group is comprised of people who have the seed of the Word embedded within them. But notice they bring forth fruit with patience. When planting a garden, one plants the seed, then waters it, then waits, then waters it, then waits before there's even the slightest breakthrough. We understand this about gardens, but we don't understand the same thing is true spiritually." -Jon Courson

"There are dispositions which prepare for the reception of the truth. But not only the previous disposition, but the subsequent attitude to the word spoken, is emphasised by our Lord. ‘They having heard the word, hold it fast.’"-Andrew MacLaren

I also found this verse in my Isaiah side wanderings:

"But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands." Isaiah 32:8

A clean principle--you can feel its solid strong lines and goodness.  Noble can also be translated as generous or magnanimous.

Section 47--Traveling and Shifting

Section 47
FURTHER JOURNEYING ABOUT GALILEE 
LUKE 8:1-3

Women and Parables

"And it came to pass afterward." Luke 8:1

" St. Luke here notices an alteration in the Master’s way of life. From this time forward Jesus ceased to make Capernaum "his city," his usual residence; he now journeys with his little band of followers from place to place. From this time there was also a distinct change in the tone of his teaching." -Pulpit Commentary

Luke reports that Jesus traveled through the cities with his band of followers---the twelve disciples and also a group of women, three of whom are named: Mary, Johanna, Susanna, and Mary.  His message was "the good news of the Kingdom of God."  Believer's Bible defines the Kingdom of God as "the realm, visible or invisible, where God's rule is acknowledged."

Companion:Mary Magdalene 
with Joanna and Susanna, by Janet McKenzie, Luke 8:1-3

The role of Christ's female followers and the role of women in the Church in general is a divisive topic.  Some plain things are that Christ valued women much more than his culture did--sinful women, unnoticed women, and they valued him back. They are mentioned as "providing for them [the group] out of their means."

"Several of these kindly grateful souls here alluded to evidently belonged to the wealthy class; some even occupied a high position in the society of that time. It was by their gifts, no doubt, that Jesus and his company were enabled to live during the thirty or more months of the public ministry." -Pulpit Commentary

The Fourfold Gospel's commentary bridges the prior chapter with this next:

"The last phrase of chapter 7 was, "Thy faith hath saved thee." And chapter 8 picks up where this statement leaves off, as it addresses the topic of faith almost entirely. In verses Luk_8:5-21, we see teachings about faith. In verses Luk_8:22-56, we see the testing of faith. Verses Luk_8:5-21 deal with hearing the Word. Verses Luk_8:22-56 deal with heeding the Word…" -Fourfold Gospel

"Hitherto in his preaching he had occasionally made use of similes or comparisons, as in Luk_5:6 and Luk_6:29, Luk_6:48; but he only began the formal use of the parable at this period, and the parable of the sower seems to have been the earliest spoken." -Pulpit Commentary

"Professor Bruce, who has very ably discussed the reasons which induced Christ at this period of his ministry to speak in parables, says there is a mood which leads a man to present his thoughts in this form. "It is the mood of one whose heart is chilled, and whose spirit is saddened by a sense of loneliness, and who, retiring within himself by a process of reflection, frames for his thoughts forms which half conceal, half reveal them—reveal them more perfectly to those who understand, hide them from those who do not (and will not)—forms beautiful, but also melancholy, as the hues of forest in late autumn." -Pulpit

I like the way Bruce and this commentary capture the shift in season, the press of outward pressures and inward reflection, the pointed nature of parables which reveal and conceal.

Glimpses from Isaiah

Some of the cross-references for the parable of the sower pointed me back to Isaiah, which is less and less of a surprise to me these days.  Jesus and Isaiah line up cleanly in  many ways.  Isaiah pictures some of the highest and lowest moments of God's thoughts and plans.  Here, the future unfolding of the Kingdom is rich in natural imagery:

"...until at last the Spirit is poured out on us from heaven. Then the wilderness will become a fertile field, and the fertile field will yield bountiful crops.  Justice will rule in the wilderness and righteousness in the fertile field. And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.  My people will live in safety, quietly at home. They will be at rest. Even if the forest should be destroyed and the city torn down, the LORD will greatly bless His people. Wherever they plant seed, bountiful crops will spring up. Their cattle and donkeys will graze freely." -Isaiah 32:15-20, ESV

"Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. 
-Isaiah 32:15-20, KJ

I definitely prefer the KJ here (my perennial touchstone though I enjoy other translations).  Admittedly, the ESV adds clarity.  Perhaps it's the richness of the verbs--counted, dwell.  Rich and wordier but not wordy.

The best news is that the force of His word is inevitable; it will be fruitful:

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
-Isaiah 55:10-14

Note the qualification---it accomplishes that which He purposes.  He doesn't say that all will bear fruit, or equal fruit, but that it will not return empty, it will fulfill God's intentions and plans.