The Word for Today with Ray: September 2020

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Receiving the Word of the Kingdom - Matthew 13:19

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Hear you therefore the parable of the sower”, and in chapter thirteen and verse nineteen of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples, “when any one hears the word of the kingdom” where we read:

When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

The verse reads, “When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, ...” Matthew began with the word, “when” which means “at the time and moment” “any one hears” or “a person is given the faculty for hearing, perceives, understands and comprehends” “the word” which means “the speech, sayings, decrees, mandates and moral precepts given by God” “of the kingdom” or “pertaining to the royal rule, kingship and dominion”, “and understands it not” which means “and does not understand, perceive or comprehend the speech, sayings, decrees, mandates and moral precepts given by God” . Matthew shared how Jesus referred to the person who “hears” God's “kingdom word” but does not “comprehend” what it means.

The verse continues, “... then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart.” Matthew added the word, “then” which means “at that time and moment” “comes” or “arrives, arises and appears” “the wicked one” which refers to “the annoying, harassing, evil, lewd and bad person”, “and catches away” or “and seizes, carries off by force and snatches out” “that which was sown” which means “the seed that was scattered and planted” “in his heart” or “within that person's soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples the person about the person who has the “seed” of the principles of the kingdom of heaven “seized” from their “heart” by the “evil one”.

Finally the verse says, “This is he which received seed by the way side.” Matthew ended this verse with the words, “this is he” which refers to “this is the person” “which received seed” or “who had heard the principles of the kingdom of heaven”“by the way side” or “from or beside the traveled road”. Jesus said the person who “hears” the principles of the kingdom of heaven and has the message “stolen or seized” from them are like the “seed” that is scattered alongside the traveled road.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the “seed” is the “word of the kingdom of heaven” or the “gospel” of God. When a person hears the “good news” of Jesus Christ coming into the world as the “Messiah and Savior” and refuses or rejects Him, they have had the “word” or “seed” “seized” by the “evil one” or Satan himself. God desires for people to hear and receive His “gospel” concerning His Son Jesus, however, Satan does not, and if he is able to “steal” that message right away from a person's “heart”, he does so. Those who are wise will not only “hear and see” the message of the kingdom of God, but they shall receive it and yield their lives to Jesus Christ straightway.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples about, “he that received seed into stony places”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Hear the Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:18

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them”, and in chapter thirteen and verse eighteen of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples to, “hear … the parable of the sower” where we read:

Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.

The verse reads, “Hear you therefore ...” Matthew began with the word, “hear you” which means “disciples of Jesus be endowed with the faculty of hearing, attending to, considering, understanding, perceiving and comprehending” “therefore” or “then, wherefore, accordingly and consequently”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples to “comprehend and understand” that which He is going to declare.

The verse continues, “... the parable of the sower.” Matthew added the words, “the parable” which means “the narrative which is fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God's kingdom are figuratively portrayed and are earthly stories with heavenly meanings” “of the sower” or “pertaining to the one who scatters seed”. Matthew shared how Jesus wanted His disciples to know the meaning of the “earthly story with a heavenly meaning” concerning the “one who scatters seed”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus wanted to share the meaning of His “parable” with His disciples. They were in an advantageous position with Him, and though the multitude heard Jesus speak and saw His works, they did not “understand” the principles of the kingdom of heaven. God wants people to comprehend His “parables”, but only those who have given their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” are given the ability to understand them. Those who are wise will become His disciples, and God by His Holy Spirit shall reveal the meanings of His “parables” to them.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples about, “when any one hears the word of the kingdom”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Prophets and Righteous Men's Desire - Matthew 13:17

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear”, and in chapter thirteen and verse seventeen of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples, “many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see” where we read:

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

The verse reads, “For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them;” Matthew began with the words, “for verily” which means “because and since truly, surely and certainly” “I say” or “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto you” which means “to the disciples”, “that many prophets” or “a large amount of one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman who solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration especially concerning future events and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “and righteous men” which refers to “people who seem to themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves in their virtues, whether real or imagined and are innocent, faultless and guiltless” “have desired” or “have longed for, lusted after and coveted” “to see” which means “to understand, comprehend and perceive” “those things” which refers to “the principles of the kingdom of heaven” “which you see” or “that the disciples understand, comprehend and perceive”, “and have not seen” which means “and the prophets and righteous men have in no way” “seen them” or “understood, comprehended and perceived the things pertaining to the kingdom of heaven” . Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples many of the “righteous men” and “prophets” of old wanted to “perceive and understand” the principles of the kingdom of heaven, but were unable. However, the disciples of Jesus were granted that privilege.

The verse goes on to say, “and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them.” Matthew continued with the words, “and to hear” which means “and to be given the faculty of hearing, perceiving, understanding and comprehending” “those things” or “the principles of the kingdom of heaven” “which you hear” which means “that the disciples were given the faculty of hearing, perceiving, understanding and comprehending”, “and have not heard them” or “and were unable to hear, perceive, understand and comprehend them”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples that “righteous men” and “prophets” were not able to “hear” the principles of the kingdom that were granted to the disciples of Jesus.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the disciples of Jesus were in an advantageous position that not even “righteous” people or “prophets” were given. Jesus' disciples could know the principles of God's kingdom and the saving grace of Jesus Christ because He was among them. Those from the past were not so advantaged. God desires a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus Christ, and when they yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they are given the ability to know the principles of the kingdom of heaven as well.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples, “hear … the parable of the sower”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Blessed Eyes and Ears - Matthew 13:16

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them”, and in chapter thirteen and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples, “blessed are your eyes … and ears” where we read:

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

The verse reads, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see:” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “blessed” or “oh how happy, well off and fortunate” “are your eyes” which means “are the disciple's faculties for vision, discerning, perceiving and understanding”, “for they see” or “because and since the disciple's eyes discern, discover, perceive and understand”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples their “eyes” were “blessed” because they were able to comprehend and understand the principles of the kingdom of heaven.

The verse goes on to say, “and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew continued with the words, “and your ears” which means “the disciple's faculties for hearing, discerning, perceiving and understanding”, “for” or “because, since and on account that” “they hear” which means “the disciple's faculties for hearing, discern, perceive and understand”. Matthew shared how Jesus complemented His disciples for their ability to perceive the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how there is a special position and measure of grace extended to Jesus' disciples. Jesus' disciples were granted the capacity to “see, hear, understand and comprehend” the principles of God's Heavenly Kingdom, however, the masses were not. God desires every person to be His disciple through His Son Jesus, and those who yield their lives to Him are furnished with the ability to “see and hear” His directives and commands. Those who reject God's offer shall remain dumbfounded at Jesus' sayings, and only wonder what the principles of the Kingdom of God really mean.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples, “many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Closed Eyes and Dull Ears - Matthew 13:15

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

The verse reads, “For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed;” Matthew began with the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “this people's heart” or “the multitude's soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors” “is waxed gross” which means “is made thickened, fattened, stupid, dull and callous”, “and their ears” or “and the multitude's faculty for hearing, discerning, perceiving and understanding” “are dull” or “heavy with difficulty” “of hearing” which means “pertaining to perceiving, discerning, comprehending or observing”, “and their eyes” or “and the people's eyes used for sight and vision” “they have closed” which means “the multitude has shut or shut down”. Matthew shared how Jesus continued Isaiah's prophesy concerning people as he declared how their “souls and minds” would be “stupid and callous”, their “ears” would have difficulty understanding or perceiving what is declared and their “eyes” would not “see” because they “shut them”.

The verse continues, “lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Matthew added the word, “lest at any time” or “that perhaps or haply” “they should see” which means “the multitudes would perceive, notice, discern and discover” “with their eyes” or “using their faculty of seeing and vision”, “and hear” which means “and perceive, understand and comprehend” “with their ears” or “using their bodies' ears”, “and should understand” which means “and would comprehend, consider and put together mentally” “with their heart” or “with the people's soul and mind”, “and should be converted” which means “and would return, come back, revert and turn about”, “and I” which refers to “and God” “should heal them” or “would cure the people, make them whole and free from errors and sins as to bring about their salvation”. Matthew shared how Jesus continued Isaiah's prophesy as he declared if the people would “see, hear and understand”, they would “return to God”, and He would “cure them, make them whole and provide salvation to them.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how compassionate God is toward people. Though they reject and refuse His offer of salvation through His Son Jesus, if people will only see, hear and open their minds and hearts to Him, He stands ready to “save them” and make them “whole”. Those who are reading these words should examine their “eyes, ears and heart” to discover if they are “dull, stubborn, callous and without vision” toward the things of God, and if they find they are, let them turn their lives over to Jesus who solely is able to save them and make them whole.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples, “blessed are your eyes … and your ears”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.