We need to be like the seed that lands on good soil and like it, we must grow and await the harvest. We don’t expect the second coming in our lifetimes but I believe that the appearance of The Kingdom will depend on the people’s response to Gods word. This Parable shows us that The Kingdom of God will come, but is waiting for the seeds, which have been planted, to grow. Then when they are at their strongest The Kingdom will come and the good and strong in faith will be saved.
The Parable of The Lamp Stand would have shown Christians of Jesus’ time how they should worship God and proclaim the good news. The lamp would have been one of the only sources of light at night so it was important to keep it burning bright and to be placed somewhere where everyone could see it.
This is Jesus’ message about faith and religion; he is saying that to truly enter the Kingdom faith is not to be hidden but brought
John Harrison 10/1 1st February 2001
Parables continued
out into the open to shine for all to see. He finishes by explaining that all those that believe will be saved and will have more, and all those that have no faith will have nothing in the Kingdom. He shows us that worldly possessions or prosperity mean nothing, its what is inside that counts. Your faith and love.
Today Jesus’ meaning in the parable is still clear although we face different persecutions of faith. In Jesus’ time and for many generations to follow Christians were persecuted for their beliefs. Today it is easier for us to worship without threat of violence yet some of us who call ourselves Christians do not practise our beliefs.
It is clear that what ever we may face we must listen to God and believe, we should not only keep it to ourselves but also share the good news with those around us. We should show them what we believe in and never conceal our love and our feelings for God and our fellow man. The Kingdom of God is not a secret but there for anyone who is willing to listen. Like the light itself it is meant to shine. The modern equivalent of this story is putting a torch under a basket. It is pointless, a torch is meant to be seen and to shine out to all those around, just like our faith.
In the Parable of the Seed growing secretly Jesus was trying to show those around him that however hard times are and whatever persecution is to follow Gods Kingdom will continue to grow in his followers. In this story this is shown as an image of the earth fulfilling its promise of a full harvest that can be gathered when it is ripe. He shows them that even though we don’t know how the Kingdom expands as long as there is faith, God will do the rest.
If they had faith Jesus tells them that the Kingdom will continue to grow, if God wills it then we too will enter his Kingdom as it grows. God plants the seeds and begins the process, but without our belief there is no way the Kingdom can grow
Today the message is very similar, we all need to believe for the Kingdom to grow but only God himself can bridge the gap between this world and the next. God is infinite in wisdom and will help us to grow in faith if we do our part. We must all wait and prepare for the second coming or as Jesus puts it the harvest. Those
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Parables continued
who believe will be gathered up and those without will be left behind.
The Parable of The Mustard Seed would have given hope and much comfort to all the early Christians, as they were at the time the small minority. They were the new religion and under pressure and persecution. Jesus tried to reassure them in this parable by comparing them to a Mustard seed. Like Christianity the mustard seed is small and delicate but is hardy and survives to grow into the biggest shrub or religion. It too puts forward branches so that all around might join and celebrate the good news.
In today’s society this Parable is almost complete. Christianity is the biggest religion and is definitely not a minority. This is only possible due to all those whose faith was strong enough in the past. Persecution is a thing of the past in this country.
Today Jesus shows us that we are lucky that we don’t endure the pain and suffering that early Christians had to face for their religion. There will still be hard times but we have to endure these and prevail to show our true love and beliefs and if God is willing enter his Kingdom.