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About-Him.Com Devotional 11-01-2003
The life of Christ, from His baptism to His ascension, following the Harmony of the Gospels. Three more parables of the kingdom of God. As much as we treasure our earthly citizenship, we look forward to the day that all the citizens of God's kingdom, from beginning to end, are assembled at the throne. I can't quite comprehend that innumerable host shouting praises to the Lamb of God and singing the song of the redeemed? It will be so wondrous that the angels will stop to listen. I fully expect to be one of the voices present on that day, and I'm sure that you do too. Keep Looking up!
106: Parable of the Hidden Treasure - Mt. 13:44
Matthew 13:44 ¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Palestine is situated between Egypt and Syria. For centuries the people were under the yoke of first one army and then another. So how does one secure the family treasure under such conditions? Simple, you bury it. Unfortunately some probably forgot where they had buried their treasure or died without passing on the knowledge to their descendants. Thus, in the time of Christ, ancient treasure was often being unearthed.
The man in the parable is taking no chances with his new found wealth. He sells all that he owns and takes title to the field.
Thus it is with our great salvation, the greatest treasure that we will ever possess. We will do all that is necessary, even to the extent of forsaking family and friends (Matthew 10:37-38) to ensure that we never lose it.
107: Parable of the Goodly Pearl - Mt. 13:45-46
Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Pearls were great luxuries in bible times. Here a merchant who deals in pearls continually, spots one of immense value that stands out among all others. Like the man above who found the great treasure in a field, this man does all in his power to obtain ownership of this great pearl.
We have found the Pearl of Great Price: His name is Jesus!
108: Parable of the Draw-Net - Mt. 13:47-51
Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Once again, as stated in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares above (Par. 104) the wicked and the just will live side by side until the end of the age when our Lord returns. The angels will separate the wicked from the just and cast them into eternal punishment.
Some preach that the church is going to increase in power and influence and dominate the world to usher in our Lord's return. I wonder if those who preach this have given much weight to our Lord's words in the Parable of the Wheat and Tares and the Parable of the Draw-net ?
In About-Him
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Humor
When my mother was called for jury duty, she felt confident of her ability to answer the questions asked of prospective jurors.
As a young attorney, I had filled her in on what to expect.
Asked about the occupations of family members, Mom answered, "My son is a lawyer."
As a follow-up, she was asked if she had ever used the services of an attorney.
"Only to mow my lawn."
Quip
There are two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. If you choose to be a taker, get all that you can, because that is all you are going to get.
Keep Looking Up!
Don & Marie Spooner
About Him! Ministries
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