Have You Got It?

 N.T.#153 "Have You Got It?" 

Sept. 28, 2023

Matthew 13-Part 10

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to heart, let him hear. (verse 43)

LET IT GLOW

The first time the Holy Spirit spoke to me was during a Vacation Bible School lesson. The teacher told us what Jesus did for us, taking our punishment for sin. However, I did not respond, since my friends were there and I was embarrassed. How thankful I am that God showed me grace and gave me another opportunity. Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior and forgive your sins yet?

The disciple of Jesus desired for Him to explain the parable of the tares (weeds) of the field. (verse 36) Did you notice that Jesus had left the crowd and went into a house, probably Peter's house. The disciples did not ask about the mustard seed or the leaven parables. They seemed to be troubled by the fact that God would tolerate the imperfection and impurity of the poisonous tares growing among the wheat. So Jesus explained to them that a day is coming when God sends His angels to gather those wicked plants of the devil and cast into eternal fire. (verses 40-42) The unjust will be removed forever. It is Jesus who will separate the weeds (unsaved wicked) from the wheat (saved believers).

Then the kingdom of God will be characterized by purity and righteousness. The righteous will shine like the sun. (verse 43) Therefore, we need wisdom when to step up and wage an aggressive fight against wrong and when to step back and fulfill other work God has called us to do. There are believers in Jesus who are not living up to the high standards of the Word. So let's keep our eyes on Jesus and His teachings. 

Are we shining like the sun as believers and followers of Jesus?

LET IT GROW

When Jesus was with His disciples, alone in the house, He spoke more parables to them. His closest followers were given the Spirit to open their hears and minds to hear and understand Jesus' messages. Jesus didn't explain these parables. They got it. What a contrast to those who were closed-minded that rejected Jesus, friends and relatives back home, Pharisees who were spiritual leaders, that just didn't get it. 

Friend, do you get it? Do you realize that when death comes, our eternal home has been sealed by then and we go there? No one can pray us out of any situation by that time. We must decide before we die. The grace of God gives us opportunities to surrender to Jesus as our Savior. Have you experienced this grace yet?

LET IT GO

Such love and patience You show us, King Jesus.

Praise to the Savior Jesus!