Matthew 13’s parable-palooza continues as pick up the second half of the chapter in today’s reading. Following the two agriculturally based parables from the last reading (the parable of the sower and the parable of the wheat and the weeds) we’ll read the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven, each of which is used to explain how the kingdom will start small, then grow exponentially. After explaining the parable of the wheat and the weeds, more parables follow, including the parable of the hidden treasure, the priceless pearl, the large net, and the storehouse of truth. In each of these parables, Jesus is helping his disciples to understand the nature of the coming kingdom.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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The next two readings from Matthew 13 are a parable-palooza, so sit tight and hit the pause button every now and again when you need a moment to think about what Jesus is teaching. A large crowd is following Jesus, so he gets into a boat and puts out a little from the shore, giving him natural amplification, as the water would have carried his voice. Much of today’s reading is occupied with the parable of the sower, which Jesus explains at length to his disciples, but conceals their meaning from those who are not his followers. We conclude today’s section with the parable of the wheat and the weeds, wherein Jesus delineates between those who are truly of the kingdom and those who are simply in close proximity to those in Jesus’ kingdom.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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So far in Matthew’s narrative, Jesus has demonstrated that he is Lord over disease, death, demons, and even Lord over Creation and the created order. He also demonstrated that he is Lord over men, offering forgiveness of sins to the repentant. Today Jesus demonstrates that he is Lord of the Sabbath, refusing to compromise his heavenly standard in order to submit to the scribes. Moreover, he freely calls men to serve to him, sits with those who would have been considered unclean without becoming unclean himself, and continues to heal those who are ailing. No like this has ever been seen in Israel before Jesus, setting him apart as more than just a prophet and more than just a priest.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

admin@commuterbible.org