My personal view on the parable is that our Lord Jesus would like to warn us of guarding ourselves against all kinds of greediness. This, i think is a one simple truth God wants us to consider. In addition, God calls for an immediate response of anybody that's warned as said in verse 20 which tells for the urgency of time.
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Caused to sin (Matt. 18:5-7 ) through work on the Sabbath because of failures to meet my needs through the workweek, I ask, seek, and knock again for leads to churches already faithful in (with) the unrighteous mammon of Luke 16:9-13. Such a congregation must, of course, include among its members at least several who know rich folk of this world. I am too sick and fed up with local churches content to remain short of this goal to let this most important matter slide. Therefore, in the name of Jesus the Messiah I assign you the task of contacting churches all across these United States subject to denominational governance in order to find a list for me of all churches under their guidance wich have many or several members well acquainted with rich folk of this world.

I have no printer. You must have seen my smiley problems by now. My comupter still operates on Windows 95, I am poor, and my mother outside the Lord is in charge of my money from SSI. I cannot serve God's people where I now live, but if I had wealth to turn to I would willingly move out. Televangelists have left me to my own feeble resources. I leave it to you to contact denominational headquarters of the various Christian denominations and to seek a list from each of all churches under them which already have their rich friends. Do not cause me to keep on sinning beyond a reasonable time for your completion of this project (worth a curse, Matt. 18:5-7 ). This is not funny; I need specific guidance to congregations known to be already faithful in the unrighteous mammon lest I sin habitually until the Parable of the Servants (Matt. 24:45-51 ) be fulfilled, my only other way to stand in Christ because the churches nearby are faithless at least in regard to Luke 16 (KJV).

Lacking hearkenings to my preceding requests, now I must assign ***YOU*** the task of contacting denominational headquarters of various denominations with requests of guidance to such churches of theirs are happen to be faithful already in the unrighteous mammon BY NEXT FRIDAY AT SUNSET. You will be in sin next Sabbath if the letters remain yet to be sent out. Please help your brother in Christ in need!

Yours in Christ,

+++ Kevin D. Rosenberg

a martyr for continuing to ask, seek, and knock (Matt. 7:7 )
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His name is geoffery james
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Hello, I'm new here and looking for some 'peace' re: the Prodigal Son story. This has bothered me for years...

It all makes sense to me except for the older son.

Why does everyone say that he didn't go into the party because it was for the younger son?

I think he didn't go into the party because he was left out in the field working and uninvited. He came upon the party by chance... then his father says, "Oh, come on in to the party."

I don't interpret him as being judgemental or ill-feeling toward having the younger brother home... I think he's feeling like his father doesn't appreciate him. And in response, the father negates his feelings as if they are invalid.

Someone higher up in this discussion pointed out that they were having this same type of problem with the story and would like to find resolution. I am also in the same position and did not see the answer. I hope I didn't miss it.
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I believe your third explanation about Matthew 13:22 and what type of person this is, is not entirely correct. I believe they have indeed recieved the spirit and do have understanding. But the choking of the word or known as quenching of the Spirit, is done because of their cares for the world. They would rather indulge than follow the spirit in their heart therefore they choke him off from flourshing.
Like Paul says Don't take your liberty as an occasion to sin. That is this person. Thankyou for your comments on this though. I am sorry to see of the painstaking process you have had to endure. This is the patience and endurance of the Elect (Saints). God has blessed you with redemption friend what more do we need from this world.

Brother in Christ

James
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The brother who stayed home had a lot of issues. He was not happy or content with his life. He thought he should have been given sometype of reward for doing what was "his reasonable service." We need to examine our motives. You don't hear much about the one who stayed home, but it would be interesting to see how it can be tackled. Why did he stay home? Should he have received more because he stayed home, etc.
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Neither would mine! Why? Because God has the control of our hearts, giving us His Love for the lost, that no flesh shall die from lack of knowledge. whereby we don't look for earthy things!
Our only desire is to see a sinner turn to Our Lord, that they might be saved!

If Kevin, or anybody else, is looking for reward, instead of leading the lost to Christ, maybe they should try something besides the Ministry!
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The leaven in the parable of the kingdom of God (referring specifically to the reference in Matthew 13:33) is anything BUT a negative usage.
To propose that the leaven here represents corrupt doctrine or heresy infiltrating Christendom to bring about the end of the age can be little more than depressing extrapolation to fit the current dispensationalist paradigm.
The direct and clear meaning of this passage is at it reads:
The kingdom of God will continue to grow and increase until the earth is filled with it, as the abundance of scripture (old an new testaments) testify.
Presented together with the parable of the mustard seed (as Christ did), the parable shows a clear hope and view of the potency and tenacity of the gospel, able to withstand and grow in all conditions, and also to make the recipient of the gospel much greater than its' original sum (the person with Christ is exponentially more than one without).


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When you trust in God, He will give you a love, for whatever He calls you to do. He can give you the talent of music, being a mom, being a christian friend to someone in need. Ask The Lord to show you, His plan for your life, He will lead you in the right path, and when you find the path, you will know it's your calling, because the love in your heart for what you are doing, will tells you so!
God Bless You!
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I think I've got a thorough understanding of your interpretation of this parable, thank you.

If this parable is teaching us God's principle for paying ministry expenses, why didn't Paul use it? (1 Cor.9:12-15)? He refused the 'right of support' as an example to the flock. If he wanted to be an example of your view wouldn't he insist on support and how to get it from rich unbelievers?

Where are the unbelievers--why is Paul only talking to BELIEVERS of his 'right to support' (which he did not use)? (1 Cor. 9:1-2)

Why does Paul praise the POOR Macedonians for their generosity when they gave "beyond their ability...entirely on their own..." and encourage the Corinthians to do the same? (2 Cor. 8:2,3,7,8)

Why is "according to your means" and "according to what one has, not according to what he does not have" worthy of praise? (2 Cor. 8:11,12)

Why is Paul's instruction to the Thessalonians completely opposite from your interpretation of the parable of the unjust steward? (1 Thess. 4:11,12 and 2 Thess. 3:6-12 esp. vs. 9)

Why did Jesus and the disciples allow Judas to hold the money bag even though they knew he was stealing from it? (For time's sake I can't reference it right now). What does that say about the import that Jesus put on money and the ministry? What or who was his faith in?

Is there an example or supportive teaching in scripture that supports or confirms your interpretation? What should we do with teachings and examples that seem to be contrary to your view?







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I'm going to teach the children about the parable of the mustard seed this sunday. It'll really be helpful to have some pictures to show to them. Thanks a lot for your help. GBU.
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its good to have apicture of mustrad tree
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i think it is a real tribute i do that you people can love god so mutch
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At the end of this parable Jesus states that "to those who have, more will be given and to those who have not what little they have will be taken away."

As I understand this is that when a person has a state of ming of gratitude to the Creator and feels abundant God provides more of the same. When we feel wronged by God and ungrateful for the little He has given we naturally repel any good that can come our way.

This parable is Jesus explaining the natural laws of the Universe, The Laws of God.

To those who have more shall be given, to those ungrateful people who bemoan there lot will have what little they think they have taken away.

Try it. It works.

Read Mind Power by John KEHOE - he explains this parable very well.

Thankyou have a good day.

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Rev 20:1-15 KJV At the end of the 7 years after the tribulation
(1) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
(2) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
(3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
(4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The "rest of the Dead" below are those since the 7th trumpet resurrection, which is called the first resurrection.

(5) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
(7) And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
(8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
(9) And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
(10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

JUDGEMENT DAY AFTER THE 1000 YEARS,

2nd resurrection, these are those that has died since the "7th trumpet resurrection" and since the beginning of time.

This does not include none of those who took part in the 1st resurrection!

Christians appeared already before the judgment seat of Christ, remember the (wheat & tares) or (good & bad servants) are separated!

Note: The ones who will have to stand before God are different then the ones that appeared before the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

These will have to stand before God and will be judged according to their works from the books OR if their name is not found in the book of life they will be cast into the lake of fire! This is the second death/resurrection.

(11) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
(12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
(13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
(14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
(15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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Sir,

If you would like a picture of an aged mustard tree, I can email the jpg to you.

Regards,
Deborah
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How come some user has reported that the Rich Fool with a few comments had received the fewest when this one had not received even a single comment? I urge you to read the comments to all parables given on the site through before typing any comparisons. We need to listen and read more and talk and type less but more wisely. Now, I discuss this parable for the first time.

Of all parables spoken by Jesus, this one is the most inadequate from a single gospel. Only four verses are given because Saint Mark was a man of action with the Sensing function dominant in the MBTI personality indicator; his gospel, the shortest, reads like the script for a movie and omits details in order to keep the interest of a Sensing reader with a typically short attention span. His natural readers are the quickest to doze off, leave or interrupt. As if to answer in court, Mark cared to testify concerning Jesus' deeds at the expense of His teachings. In order to understand what the quoted Jesus actually taught, we need to remember what Matthew and Luke reported about watching and waiting for a surprise return (Matt. 24 : 32 - 25 : 46 , Luke 21 : 29 ff ). It is those accounts which will empower us to watch for the return of Christ.

Saint Mark's way for us to watch is to see and do, to listen and learn from those versed in the other accounts. He leaves the thinking, feeling, and intuition to others: Matthew, Luke, and John. Faith in the Bible will not resist them; fortunately for us, however, Matthew and Luke mentioned all those details so that John had no need to fill them in. Three gospels thus suffice to teach us what watching and waiting means in practical terms.

From Mark we know that of all the servants, we disciple of Jesus, the Messiah, are likened unto porters, "thyro^roi" (door + see, watch) or butlers in Greek, with responisibilities to answer the door (or telephone) when people come knocking (or calling) to ask and to seek (Matt. 5 : 42 , 7 : 7 ). One Sunday morning about two months ago, a homeless neighbor of mine and her man kicked out by her grown daughter knocked on my door at 5 a.m. on a Sunday before morning when they could not stand the cold night outside any longer. The woman asked for three hours inside. Found sleeping and hastily clad in a robe I let them in, even though the man was not mentioned, even though they disobeyed my command to sleep on my floor and left leaves on my new couch, and even though they stayed four hours before I moved toward kicking them out and they took the hint. My own night's sleep was ruined, and I felt jetlagged. I had, however, used my living room to keep them warm and to get four hours of televangelists' presentations of the Word into their ears and perhaps sinking into their hearts. I have planted a seed.

I was found sleeping by homeless unbelievers. Don't let Jesus, however, knock at your doors to find you sleeping on the job, so to speak. Mark omits all the details for the precise timing of Jesus' return. Back then, nobody save God knew anything about time zones, and many believed the earth to be flat despite observations of ships sinking beyond the horizon. Anybody who might predict such a time for Jesus return as 6 a. m. (regardless of location) would be a liar to the vast majority of the world beyond his narrow time zone even if He should chance to come then unto him. For our times, however, St. Matthew reports that Jesus taught that He would return by surprise in a time of plenty when people were not looking for Him and while women were grinding grain and men were at work in the field. All I assume below is that Jesus Christ, because of His good, loving character rather than a knavish, tricky character, would never return to an inhabited time zone without the signs of field work and milling there with word that Americans were hard at work far away, nor would He return to the Russians without the sign in winter with word that Americans far away were eating fresh fruits and vegetables flown in.

In that case, we can know general periods throughout which to watch for Christ from Matthew 24 : 32 - 44. The first sign, the fig tree, represents modern Israel. The generation which Jesus has promised will not pass away until the Glorious Appearing ... was twenty years old when modern Israel was founded in 1948 (v. 34; reference to Ezek. 38). Thus, out of all centuries of history, Jesus' Second Coming is for our times. Verse 35 is a warning to every believer who despairs of world evangelism in time (v. 14) that Jesus will live up to His Word to make it happen and return in time to find live Jews of the mentioned generation. Hallelujah! In need of warning are all Christians who made or believed promises to evangelize the whole world by the year 2000 but now forget them or cover them up. Mark elaborates on verse 36 while The sign of Noah in vv. 37 - 39 tell us when in the year or economic cycle to watch for Jesus: in the boom times with fresh fruits and vegetables to eat and weddings taking place.

We would be foolish, therefore, not to watch in June of all coming years. The more we learn about life in more austere mission fields such as Siberian settlements, the fewer weeks will remain in the year in which we must watch for Jesus, at the expense of having God call us to give your wealth away to help their people because they will ask. Next comes the time of day in our respective time zones with more admonition to watch (vv. 40 - 42), which I understand as follows:

Before the Industrial Revolution with its continuous processes and electric lighting, people worldwide farmed and ground grain by day and partied or slept at night throughout the week. Whenever the sign of field work and milling existed throughout one hemisphere, it was absent in the other. Nowadays, however, farmers in the United States and South America are observed with their equipment in the fields making progress at night whether to hide drugs or to finish in good weather, and Cargill and other milling companies process grains continuously throughout the week. Such a practice invites Jesus Christ to return by night. This leaves no promise from Christ for Americans concerning the time of day, yet He will keep his promise to the underdeveloped nations of the Old World, where farming the fields and grinding grain are still done only by day. If you go to Africa or Asia, where many peoples have yet to hear a testimony of the Gospel, you can see the signs in the daytime, while those who remain in the United States might have to watch around the clock. I thoroughly expect that the Rapture will occur between midnight and 4 a.m. in Indianapolis because of Jesus' promises to the Old World. That's a wide swath of four hours in the inconvenient night because no one but the Father God knows the day or the hour (v. 36). Those of us who cannot watch require sending out as missionaries to the Old World. And now, let us examine verses 43 and 44: that people will be caught sleeping and live to regret it like a successful burglary. This sign, like that of Noah, shows us that people will not be naturally seeking Christ at that time and tells us when in the week we must watch in season at the right time of ***night*** (American times). Our Lord will not return during any American church's Sunday School or Sunday Morning Worship or Weekly Bible Study or Wednesday Worship or on the Jewish Sabbath. He will not return when many pastors are preparing their lectures without cause and desire to demonstrate the apostasy of all their teachings. Therefore, since most pastors take Mondays off after teaching on Sunday, in season we had better watch on so-called Sunday nights and Monday nights actually falling in the wee hours (in Indianapolis) on Monday and Tuesday, although Jesus could return to take us home later in the week before Sabbath preparations. With at least two nights in the week to watch, we do not know the day of the week for Jesus' return (v. 36).

I have discussed the next parts at length on the Ten Virgins page. Now that we know when to be best prepared to meet Jesus, I turn to Luke for guidance on how to watch. While Saint Luke parallels Matthew in Chapter 17, it is Chapter 21 which shows Jesus' warning against being left behind to face the Tribulation (Luke 21 : 34 - 36 ). From Jesus' mouth in verse 34, it is a heart laden with overeating and drinking or drunkenness and
worries of life which set many of us up for being left behind by Jesus. Just belonging to Jesus will not spare us the Tribulation. If you are continually worried, that is habitual sin (Matt. 6 : 24 ff ). The worried believer who cannot or dare not ask, seek or knock for relief (Matt. 7 : 7 ) and whose prayers fail to avail relief gets called by God to fast. Why, with the guilt of Israel, Moses fasted forty days! Our Lord did the same in order to stand His Temptation. Yes, genuine Christians can, and many probably will, be left behind to face the Tribulation for living it up despite their persistent worries and sleeping when Jesus takes the prepared believers home.

I have desired to preach Second Thessalonians at some graveyard on television during Indiana's wee hours in season on so-called Sunday, Monday, and Thursday nights to warn American Christians that the Lord Jesus Christ expects us to watch, to wait up for Him, and to go abroad as evangelists if they cannot stay up, but my friend in Christ, Dallas Barr, has discouraged me for fear that I might appear to be there to rob graves. I lack formal theological credentials and declare my informal learning good enough with the time short. (Lord's Prayer)

Yours in Christ,

+++ Kevin D. Rosenberg

a martyr for continuing to ask, seek, and knock (Matt. 7 : 7 )









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Christ said to those Jews who believed in Him in John the eigth chapter
if you continue in my word then are you truly disciples of mine. In the new testament it says that we have the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Revelation to the Apostle John Chapter 4 says that the
LAMP IS THE HOLY SPIRIT. If the lamp is the Holy Spirit then the oil must be the WORD OF GOD. When you believe in Chirst you recieve the
Holy Spirit you are a believer. But Christ said you are a DISCIPLE IF YOU CONTINUE IN HIS WORD.
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the good samaritan is a person full of blessing and understanding and he is not self-concieted he had a humble heart like jesus christ that never be change even yesterday and today.Be with jesus so that you will be like a good samaritan and the gift of god which is the eternal life is waiting for you in the golden paradise of heaven.

GOD BLESS TO US!!!
BE WITH JESUS AT ALL TIMES!!!
READ AND APPLY THE WORD OF GOD!!!
BE LOVABLE AND CHEERFUL TO YOUR NEIGHBOR!!!
FORGET EVERYTHING BUT PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR HEART!!!

YOUR BROTHER,
VICAR
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I have already explained that the Greek for "everlasting habitations" did not clearly mean those in heaven. Let me explain most thoroughly.

The Greek word for "eternal" or "everlasting" is "aio^nios", accusative plural "aio^nious" in the text. It actually means "of or pertaining to an aio^n", an age. I hold that the age intended is this age because Jesus was not teaching about heaven near this passage. I conclude that the "everlasting dwellings" or "everlasting habitations", tents in Greek, must be dwellings owned by rich folk or companies of this world. What is everlasting about them is that they were built long before our resort to them and that they will be secure for us in times of persecution or financial failure. No bank could ever foreclose on them, no persecutor could find us there, and no persecutor could burn or bomb them down on account of our presence. They are to provide "everlasting" refuge for us in this life. They are not to be in Hell!

+++Kevin D. Rosenberg
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I sympathize with the brother who seems jealous. I think that the prodigal was rewarded for his misbehavior/sins. Are we to assume that the prodigal lived a good, productive, bourgeois life, til he died?
I assume that it is true that President Bush made several mistakes in his days of "riotous living" and another by invading Iraq. I think that he, too, has been rewarded for his mistakes.
I think that wealthy families, not ones who are just rich, have ways to train their young, to trust in and manage money. Certainly more than the poor, who "plan for Saturday night" instead of for "four generations," as Gloria Steinem says the wealthy do. I assume also that these wealthy trainees have a margin for error much greater than the poor do and that once they are trained, they have great desire and ability to "save for a rainy day" (like old age). On the other hand, the poor are likely to blow any surplus money on instant gratification and lottery tickets. The poor know from experience that this might be the only chance for them and their children to have a blast and that if they try to save the money, a child's sickness or some other emergency will suck it up.
Consider this in relation to the plan, to privatize SS,whether that plan was originated by the Bushoviks,the Big Boys, or the Big Boys' Little Boy, the Smiley Face of Corporate America, a.k.a. "W."

Jim Bridges, 252-338-8177
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Rob

That was really good! I’m all ears.

A good example that would support what you’re saying would be the fact that Jesus said in Mark chapter Four “the earth brings forth fruit of herself”.

The earth is the human heart (our own). Jesus also said “things spoken in darkness will be heard in the light” and scripture supports that it’s your own spirit that’s radiating it outward-like a ball of dough manifesting yeast or becoming leavened (YOU CAN SEE IT!). And yet Jesus said “your HEAVENLY FATHER will reward you openly”.

Jesus taught that the human spirit acts as a candle or a light. I call it the overhead projector that projects things onto the canvas of our lives. But you’ve picked up on the fact that there’s a mystical parallel between the human heart and our heavenly father. Someone might be tempted to conclude that WE are GOD, but no I think the real meaning is that we were designed to be a type of mirror that reflects the glory of God (a chandelier?). God has sent the light of his word into the world and for those who allow it to “dwell in them richly”, that light will hit that inner mirror and be refracted into the world around us. Hence God uses this refracting property of mans heart as his M.O.

So, then the question is, just who is this unjust judge? FYI, I’m not saying that God is the unjust judge. What I was saying is that if this small, worldly insignificant woman can instill such torment into the heart of a human of great worldly stature through the use of this idea (it’s the idea of faith found in the new testament), then HOW MUCH MORE can we get results from one who is NOT proactively resisting us.

Both the man who came for bread at midnight and the widow came boldly DEMANDING that their petition be granted. Notice it had nothing to do with friendship, worldly status, or lack thereof; it had to do with BRAZENESS. That’s the word that comes closest to the real meaning of the word that was translated “importunity”. The real meaning of the word is WITHOUT BASHFULNESS. It’s the same idea found in the parable of the widow and unjust judge.

OK, but how about your point that we’re really in a sense praying to our own spirit and our own spirit is the putrid judge? Frankly I agree with you on that. But the question arises; do we need to go that far into the interpretation of this parable to reach some kind of understanding of it? Well your thinking is good! But I just don’t know if Jesus intended for us to analyze this analogy to that degree. But then that’s what we always say.

All that I can say right now is that I’ll have to look into that. I heard what you said and will take it seriously. But I like the way that you attempted to keep the underlying parallels of the kingdom in tacked when breaking this down.

Right now I think it’s merely an example of holy boldness and the refusal to capitulate upon the promises that we’ve received from God. It would also underscore the fact that prayer is based on covenant rights not wishy washy gravelling or begging as though were dogs under the table. HEY, didn’t Jesus say something similar to a woman who he ended the conversation with GREAT IS YOUR FAITH?

Rob keep up the good work. You’re an inspiration! And I’ll continue to look at it in the light that you’ve laid down.

God bless:)

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I like to get a copy of your sermon about the "Juses is good shepher. Thank very much Robert lee
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This is one of the hardest parables to understand. Yet I offer my personal opinion as the way I see it. All due respects to the fact I might not have the truest understanding.
Mammon is the power of wealth in the world, and its a fallen world where justice does not prevail.
When the unjust steward was accused of mismanagement he became against his master. Mammon became the thing he hates or the thing he despised. We dont know if he was unfaithful or not, but he was accused. Judgiing by his actions, he loved justice more than mammon.
Therefore he resolved to leave his job and give away some of the debt owing to his master.
Already you can hear the Pharisees who loved money jeering at this behaviour, as Jesus spoke this parable. Thier haughty spirit and proud ways were all about the so called decency of wealth. Perhaps the steward had inside knowledge all along that the debts were too much for people to pay and a burden that God had never ordained. The steward knew the sham of wealth and could make good conversation with the class of people usually oppressed by the people of wealth, no less also than the relgious leaders of the day - and today. He knew he might at least have somewhere to stay if by his generosity he would be remembered when and if he had no place to live and no more job to depend on.
Whether he was commended by the principle of mammon or by the Lord I am not totally sure. I think it is Jesus who commended him for his resolve to uphold true justice knowing that there is no righteousness in mammon. Thus, the idea is to be giving it away, not hording it up. This is consistent with so much the New Testament says about riches. That is, to lay them down and follow Him, not lay them up on earth where moth and rust corrup and thieves break through and steal. Use it to make friends and be giving, and be more concerned about true justice that only God is the author of. For the unjust steward, to remain in his position would therefore be made to remain as the accused and unjust. This would be being faithful to his master, and despising or hating God, truth and justice. In whatever seemingly small way there was faithfulness, there would also be great faithfullness. He that is unjust in the least, is also unjust in much. Therefore, the steward had to make his resolve one way or the other. You cannot serve two masters. I feel that the parable illustrates more about the stewards contempt for mammon than the love of God and so the Pharisees revolted as they heard this because they were steeped in the ways of wealth, believing it to be the ultimate tool for good. Yet God in Jesus announced, 'that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God'. I believe the steward was fed up with the things of the decietfulness of riches and the cares of this world and became resolute enough to reject his place with mammon and stand up for true justice by deploring its principles and forgiving the debts the way he did. Its a bit like Moses who forsook all the pleasures of Egypt and went and lived with the Hebrew outcasts, 'esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the [ heavenly ] reward. Heb 11:26
Thus we can see the Godly things to esteem are heavenly things and the earlthy things are an abomination. Paul counted all his losses as a dunghill. I dont know for sure, but his high rank in the Jewish orders would have had a lot to do with wealth and the principles of mammon. Man sees the good works in it. God sees the heart. What do we have in out heart? Will we be like the unjst steward and take up our cross, or we will side with mammon and not care about truth, about justice, about firstly seeking His kingdom and His righteousness. Will we have faith like Moses, not knowing fully about God, but leaving all, forsaking all and following Him - not as a prosperity doctrine, but in his reproach? Even I am convicted by this. amen
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THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS, IS BASICALLY ABOUT TWO SETS OF CHRISTIANS ONE WISE ANOTHER FOOLISH. NOW THE OIL THAT PASSAGE IS TALKING ABOUT IS THE HOLY GHOST. ROMANS 8 VERSE 9 VALIDATES WHAT I'M SAYING ALSO 2TIMOTHY 3 VERSE 7 THE ONLY ONES WHO ARE SAVED HAVE THE HOLY GHOST AS THIER WITNESS THAT THEY ARE KNOWN OF BY GUIDE FURTHER SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD THRU THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST. WHICH CAN ONLY BE ADMINISTERED TO US THRU BAPTISM ROMANS 6 VERSE 4 COLLISIANS 2 VERSE 12,13 WITHOUT IT WERE NOT SAVED IN GOD'S EYES


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webmaster a quote from you....

I'm also curious about the word leaven. Why are we but it's bad? I know it's used in several other places as a reference to something as bad but does it not also have another use in the original language? Does it not make bread rise "yeast" could have been used for that reference also. Something that makes something like meal flour rise and grow. I consider the kingdom of heaven as growing as a good thing. I know there are a LOT of tares in with it but that's part of doing busniness, you get the bad with the good then the seperation at the end.

For what is worth i agree Anyone who bakes knows the value of leaven without leaven many things would be flat, tastless, hard, If have a few minutes look at leaven and first fruits.....unleaven-passover ... leaven- penticost?




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Peter Kalve rightly asks the question as to why fewer people have responded to this parable. Is it because this parable directly opposes the lifestyle of so many of us, where we are told by the economic system, advertising - and our own selfishness - that getting is good, and the more we get the better we shall be? So we gather around ourselves a mound of 'things' and build ever bigger barns.

We even make this a moral issue, so that wealth=good, respectable, and poverty=bad, despicable.

Jesus directly confronts this comfortable greedy attitude: 'You fool (Gk.= 'ignorant'): this very night your life is being demanded of you'.

This speaks to those of us who are retired (like me) and are tempted by a decent pension to say 'relax, eat, drink, be merry'....but 'are not rich towards God'.

This parable challenges not only individuals but our whole unsustainable way of being where constant growth is the only thing which keeps our economic system going. It is frightening in its implications.

Can we obey the Father's command, 'This is my beloved Son: listen to him'?




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Quote: The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit!

That is not what the bible says! I am tired of these lying preachers adding to the Word of God!

Matthew 12
31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

Example of blasphemy against the Spirit

Matthew 12
22 Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.
23 All the multitudes were amazed, and said, "Can this be the son of David?"
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons."


blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for the Holy Spirit, calling the work of the Holy as Evil)
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There was a lot of talk about the "bad" wayward brother and the "good" brother who stayed home and minded and got hacked when bad boy came home apologetically and resumed his place. Well, what about those other guys in the field who just do their job for pennies taking care of slopping the hogs or whatever. Aren't they human beings also, don't they have souls, aren't they capable of attaining status. In Judaism your mother has to be a Jew or you will not be allowed at the table at all. Speaking as a low waged hog slopper, I suppose my reward awaits me in heaven, right?
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Does anyone know the meaning of "Abrahams Bosom"?
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"It seems by the way Jesus told the story, that one need not be a christian to inherit eternal life. "

True, by the parable alone it does seem that way. But remember the context. The original question was in verse 25 where a teacher of the law tests Jesus:

"Master, what have I to do that I may have eternal life?" (BBE)

Then Jesus gets him to answer his own question in verse 27:

"Have love for the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and for your neighbour as yourself." (BBE)

Jesus basically says 'yep, that's it.' And then I think the teacher feels a bit embarassed so he asks "And who is my neighbour?" (BBE) Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

All that to say: The parable of the Good Samaritan does not answer "How shall I have eternal life?" It answers "Who is my neighbour?"


In regards to eternal life, I think anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, came to Earth and died for our sins would agree that part of loving Him includes accepting the forgiveness He offers us and following Christ and His teachings.

Jesus did say "judge not, lest you yourself be judged." But He also said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one gets to the Father except by Me."


Please let me know if you believe I've left something important out or misinterpreted something.

--Peter

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Tnx!!! i have an assignment and it is about parables of Jesus... Because of this forum, i can understand it and it is easy to explain in the class!!!Im not a Catholic so i cant understand in the book... TNX Very Much!!! ^_^





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The ring is a symbol to represent apart of the convenant again. The robe is his robe of righteousness. The shoes identify him as a son as opposed to a servant.
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The scripture I used, as (11Thess-3-12) should have been (11Thess-2-3-12)
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I think you've seized upon something that isn't a part of the parable of the sower. The context is the kingdom of God. The place where we're sowing the seed is into the realm of the spirit, our hearts. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is within you. Did you notice that Jesus never addressed the issue of watering the seed? Well don't seeds need to be watered? Then why not address such a critical thing? Because if you go back into the Garden of Eden, you'll recall that a mist watered the plants of Eden, the watering was already provided for in this garden. In this realm of the kingdom within, the watering is already provided for. And lets not forget that the seed were talking about is the Word of God. "Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible seed, by the word of God which live and abides forever. If the seed is planted it will grow! God will provide the increase. The curse that has come upon the earth and our physical bodies has not contacted that place where these seeds are sown. It's infinitely easier to produce in the realm of the spirit for "he watches over his word to perform it." The tough part is in having enough scriptural knowledge to be able to plant the seed and turn loose of it for long periods of time. Being patient. But I wouldn't seize upon the curse that IS in this earth to allow the enemy to say why ever bother. Maybe your just saying that God has the final say. But then what about dope and poppy plants? If seeds are planted in the realm of the kingdom of God inside us they will grow. Good or bad.
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First of all, please note my postings on Matt. 24:45 - 25:30 covered under the Parable of the Ten Virgins. If God, to whom vengeance belongs, in order to get world evangelism, falsely promised by many by the year 2000, indeed accomplished for His Holy Name's sake for His return before the generation He mentioned passes away (Matt. 24 : 14, 34 ) resorts to delegating the judgement upon the evil servant(s) in charge of churches to their human boards, committees, and so on, to return as the evil servants' masters just as He already delegated such power to foreign, ungodly armies in the book of Habakkuk long before, then the atrocious judgements of the evil servant(s) in Matthew 24 : 45 - 51, the fulfillment of the Parable of the Virgins, and the fulfillment of the Parables of the Pounds and Talents will happen on this earth rather than in heaven as most pastors would prefer to teach. As time past New Year's Day 2001 progresses, the wrath of God against those who made the false promises and now try to live them down and against the evil servants in charge of His people who tie us down to American livings continues to grow. Unless the Gospel be spread throughout the whole world this very winter by Passover 2004, it will start to seem that world evangelism will never happen with the evil servants still in charge of their churches.

If the evil servants in charge must be ousted in the here and now on earth (in order to accomplish world evangelism in truth) rather than after the Rapture in heaven, the following parables will also be fulfilled immediately on earth thereafter. Then the Parable of the Virgins, instead of referring to the Rapture with many so-called Christians left behind, will be fulfilled litterally when all living churchgoers find themselves locked out of their church buildings forever, and only those who are willing to desist from all obvious habitual sin will be welcome in house churches. Christians who are unwilling to obey the rabbis' teachings on holy, Jewish life such as keeping kosher kitchens (Matt. 23 : 1 - 3 ) will be rebuked as sinners and locked out of those house churches. The social churchgoers unwilling to worship at a house church or unwelcome in the house church due to persistent habitual sins will become unreachable; I say, now is the time, while you still have your church buildings, to win the lost folk of your flocks to Christ indeed.

And if the previous judgements in the parables should happen, as I stated, on earth rather than in heaven, so will the judgements in the parables of the Talents and the Pounds. The talents in Scripture, in Greek "talanta," are not abilities or skills, but each "talanton" as much pure silver money as a man might endure patiently (in Greek tal-, tle^-: etle^n, tetle^ka "I dare, I endure patiently") to carry, 100 lb. Troy or 76 lb. 1 oz. av. or 34.5 kg. Yes, the talents are real, hard, heavy money, and the steward in charge of but one probably represents the one who knew nothing about the care of pack animals and thus was expected to carry one talent personally to market as he could indeed have done. Are you personally ready for this upcoming judgement?

Many may say such a sob story as this: "I've worked hard for everything I get. Nobody ever gave me much money that I didn't earn." Well, I've got news for such Christians: When the faithful stewards answer how well their investments have performed to their rich friends, all of these poor Christians will answer to me or a reader of mine who knows and teaches that LUKE 16 : 1 - 13, the Parable of the Unjust Steward, was indeed in your Bibles to be obeyed. Jesus never expected His people to earn most of the wealth for Christian ends; rather, He requires each of His congregations to make friends with the rich people of the world so that we may be welcome with them in time of wrack and ruin and so that our churches may receive large grants for Christian ministry. Too many churches by far consist of members content not to know the rich people of the world and to remain in such impoverished churches.

Who never had a chance to read LUKE 16 from a lack of this book or was incarcerated or hospitalized so as to be utterly unable to use LUKE 16? Most Christians are financially limited yet cannot claim such an excuse. When and if I get my chance, I will deprive them of whatever wealth they may possess and throw them out into the cold outer darkness of homelessness or Russian evangelism even in the prisons according to Jesus' own words in Matthew 25 : 28 - 30, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The Gospel has got to get spread to all the peoples of the earth!

Each of us Christians with a complete (perhaps New) King James Bible or Tyndale's Bible with LUKE 16 still in it can read Jesus' plan to enrich His congregations. God blesses the rich people of the world with the fruits of the earth and expects us Christians to pay proper attention to the rich mission field for our provisions; as stewards or servants of Christ, we are to "trade" the endowment of the passage of LUKE 16 by obeying His words in it and making friends with the rich people of the world, however they may have earned their wealth. We are not all called to provide, but to make use of their provisions. If we so do, when the judgement of the stewards occurs, we shall answer to our rich friends in the world. If we shall have fared well with their investment advice, they will commend us; if we happen to have lost wealth, they will understand. Those who remain in congregations content not to know the rich people of the world, however, are liable to stupid investments of whatever wealth they earn or may have the good fortune to receive, and if Jesus leaves it to me I will condemn them to deprivation and homelessness on account of their disuse of their truest endowment, LUKE 16 : 1 - 13, the Parable of the Unjust Steward.

Why does the lazy steward disobey his master? He is able indeed to take his talent to market and to trade with it, as his master knew rather than guessing. He may be like the soldier who drops his cumbersome rucksack of some seventy or eighty pounds; according to Eric Foss, "such soldiers are the most likely to get killed in battle, because somebody else has to carry their rucksack for them." Among Christians it is LUKE 16 which is dropped. This steward may, on the other hand, feel incompetent to trade, as when we might think or say about the rich, You've gotta kiss up to these people... and do nothing to meet them and thus drop the pack of LUKE 16. The lazy steward may feel ill will toward the master or his potential heirs and may stow away his endowment in a secret place (the closed Bible) to escape with upon news of the master's death when if the endowment is to grow, it must remain evident to everyone.

I have suffered so horribly and abominably under the church leaders of poverty for so long already that I seize fast upon LUKE 16. I will not drop this ungainly pack, the message "We have got to make friends with the rich people of the world for our security in bad times and for our financial endowments for ministry" which makes me unwelcome at local churches here in Columbus, Indiana. Please reply here with news about any congregations of which you may be aware which will do their utmost to put LUKE 16 into practice by meeting and befriending the rich people of the world for security against homelessness and to receive lasting benefit for ministry. The lazy servant churches cannot attract me; if I need not fear lack of provision in the stingy, inhospitable Modern English speaking cultures, I shall flee to find a fruitful servants' assembly in Christ. Help me here, for it would be ruinously foolish of me to set out on my own in flight without a sure destination of faith. And now I wish you the best of luck in implementing the Parable of the Unjust Steward as it properly reads in the pure King James Version.

Yours in Jesus Christ,

+++ Kevin D. Rosenberg


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On the topic of the younger son hating his father. It is not said that he hates his father, and I don't believe that he does... but in asking for his inheritance... it is like wishing his father were dead. That had to hurt the father. Yet the father took him back unconditionally.

As for the older son, that has also been on my heart a lot. You see my sister ran away from home. When she returned I was glad and celebrated, but at the same time it was frustrating. Where was my reward for being the good daughter?? The father's response to the older's sons complaints is, "Everything I have is yours". God gives us everything! He gave us His Son and eternal life. At the same time, the father's plea to the older son to join in the celebration, is how God us to celebrate when others grow in relationship with him.
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Not much is said about what the prodigal son LOST in the process of riotous living. He was restored to his father but the son who was faithful retained more than what the prodigal did. Remember, sin always take sus farther than we planned on going, it keeps us longer than we planned on staying, and it costs us more that we planned on paying.

The scars of our indulgent living sometimes remain, ( ie: consequences of the sin such as pregnancies, jail, diseases, health issues, etc.) but God is the ever loving and faithful forgiving Father who restores us and helps us deal with the consequences.....Praise God for His awesome love!
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In Mark 4 Jesus tells the parable of the sower.

The sower is the messenger spreading the gospel.

The first kind of soil is hard soil. The message goes in one ear and out the other. The hearer has no interest in it...he could care less about Jesus! The devil steals the seed away as fast as the message arrives.

The second kind of soil is shallow. The message is received with joy. But as soon as persecution arises he wilts and falls away. Possibly this person walked down an isle and shed many tears.

The third kind of soil is infested with thorns/weeds. The hearer receives the message. But the cares of the world (raising kids...spouse... paying mortgage.... having a time share....paying bills) makes it ineffective. "Someday when I have more time I'll think about Jesus." This person "chokes" and isn't seen again. (It strikes me that this third kind of hearer is the main problem in America.)

The fourth kind of soil receives, responds, and produces. Some 30-60- 100 fold. This person is genuinely saved.

PROBLEM.....I'd like to have a bigger distinction between the 2nd and third kind of hearer/soil. To me, these could be grouped together as one kind of soil.

I'd say that the first 3 kind of hearers are not saved. Only #4 is truly saved.

Chrys _________________ Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.



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Like the other parables of Jesus, this one is about fruit-bearing, and the un-fruitful are thrown into hell. Those who hear the TRUE word of God, they are cleansed by it by doing it. Christ abides in the TRUE hearers and doers. Luke 6:47 - Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them..." John 8:47 - He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 1 Corinthians 4:15 - For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." The branch cannot bear fruit by itself. 1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God" Philippians 3:9 - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" 3 John 1:11 - Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." Who can do good, but the true ones on the vine? Even TRUE faith is not from flesh and blood, but from God. John 3:27 - John answered and said, A man can receive NOTHING, except it be given him from heaven." 1 Corinthians 12:9 - To another FAITH by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;" Not one man can TRULY say that Jesus Christ is the son of God nor can any man truly tell people,(so-called preachers, ministers, or pastors) Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Also, to put an end to false teachers that say if you believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and saviour, you'll be saved, NO MAN can come to Jesus unless God Himself decides that he would. Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." But then, those people heared the TRUE word of God, and the words of JESUS CHRIST, John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 - Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." Then again, same gospel, 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.(God revealed it to them, and had faith in him, that faith is not from their own heart, but from God) 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve(God approved those 12, not the other disciples, because if He did give it to them to come to Jesus, they would of stayed, like the true disciples), and one of you is a devil?" Now all you people that read this, the false christians will not believe this, but the true christians will. John 15:20 - Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." These sayings are in the bible, those who just ignored them in the bible will ignore my words(no, not truly mine) also. Those who believe these things, or knew them already, please, please contact me, at dallascourchene @ hotmail.com (NOTE: there are no spaces in the address.) Also to the so-called born-again christians, what did God call you to do? Live a normal life? I don't think so. People who are truly called are CALLED to do something for the LORD, not just worship Him and those who are called, know what they have to do by a certain wonder, or phenomemon. Acts 16:10 - And after he had seen the VISION, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had CALLED us for to preach the gospel unto them." Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, CALLED to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God," Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 1 Corinthians 7:20 - Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." Ephesians 4:1 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called," We MUST be also worthy of this calling. 2 Timothy 1:9 - Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 1 Peter 2:21 - For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" 1 Peter 5:10 - But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you PERFECT, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 2 Peter 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" And yes, we can be perfect like Jesus. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." 2 Corinthians 4:4 - In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Philippians 2:6 - Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 1 John 2:13 - I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father." 1 John 3:9 - Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Revelation 3:21 - To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." We are called to be made into the image of Christ, who is the image of God. Jesus said so himself, the called can and will be like him. Matthew 10:25 - It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord..."
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In the light of the way in which leaven is always used in the Old Testament, Christ could use the word in a symbolic sence---as he did in Matt.13:33, and Matt.16:6 and his disciples would know exactly what was meant. And the exactly the same thing can be seen where leaven is used elsewhere in the New Testament. Every place this word appears, the context always clearly shows the word being used only one way--to show corruption and deterioration- in complete keeping with the Old Testament usage. In Matt.13:33 the context leading into the use of this word has to do with fruit-bearing and with the method Satan uses to stop Christians from bearing fruit. The preceding two parables reveal Satan introducing false doctrine, with a progressive corruption and deterioration following. And the parable of the leaven simply reveals the conclusion of the matter. Acording to the parable of the leaven, the message surrounding the proffered kingdom during the present time would, near the end, become completely leavened. Corruption introduced at the beginning would progressively permeate the whole of Christendom untill that having to do with the proffered kingdom would be completely corrupted. This is how, according to this parable,the dispensation would end. The Church will not only left its "first love"{Rev.2:4}, but the Church will be brought into a state described as "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked"{Rev.3:17b}
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If the father divided his estate between his two sons, 2/3 to the elder brother and 1/3 to the younger, then surely the younger brother returned to the land owned by his brother, not his father?
Please help.
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to people
is love your neighbour really right?
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I am looking for a picture of a real mustard tree.
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i want every body to change and go back to GOD almighty.i am nigeria living in wiss
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birds of the air
Strong's Ref. # 3772 for air
Romanized ouranos Pronounced oo-ran-os'
perhaps from the same as GSN3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specifically, the Gospel (Christianity):
KJV--air, heaven([-ly]), sky.
so it could be written as? so that the birds of heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof.

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I think you are right. The elder brother was truly the lost son. Maybe in order to see God truthfully, and to understand His forgiveness in the fullest measure, we have to stray from Him. This way we can compare both sides and choose with wisdom knowing exactly what we want instead of doubting and being resentful of others. I think we are supposed to do this to some degree, that way we aren't just automatons repeating what God wants to hear, instead of actually feeling and understanding His profound forgiveness as well as His message of love.
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well ive been lookin 4 a while for a good meaning of this parable, im a gcse student sitting my gcse's in june but my mock exams are next week, i had to learn about the true meaning of the parable of the mustard seed, my re teacher said it was in our notes and i have had full attendance for 2 years and i have hardly missed a lesson but i couldnt find nothing in my notes about this topic, no one could so thank you very much for your help, hopefully you will get me an A*. tHANK YOU. BYE
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MUSTARD (Black) BRASSICA NIGRA
An excellent sauce for clarifying the blood.
An annual growing three or four feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) high with small yellow flowers. The seed pod is long and pointed and contains about a dozen dark brown seeds which have a hot, biting taste.
Where to find it: Waste places, roadsides, beside streams and on sea cliffs. Flowering time: Early summer.
Astrology. A herb of Mars.
Medicinal virtues: Excellent for weak stomachs, but unfit for choleric people. It strengthens the heart and resists poisons. Those with weak stomachs should take one dram (1.7 g) each of Mustard seed and Cinnamon beaten to a powder with half a dram (390 mg) of powdered Mastic and Gum Arabic dissolved in Rose-water and made into troches of half a dram (390 mg) each. One troche is to be taken an hour or two before meals. Old people may take much of this medicine with advantage. Mustard seed has the virtue of heat, discussing, ratifying and drawing out splinters of bones from the flesh. It is good for falling-sickness or lethargy and to bring down the courses.
A decoction of the seed in wine resists poison, the rnalignity of Mushrooms and the bites of venomous creatures, if taken in time. Taken in an electuary the seed stirs up lust, helps the spleen and pain in the sides and gnawings of the bowels.
An outward application eases the pain of sciatica and the gout and aching joints.
Modern uses: Mustard seeds are used mainly in poultices for acute local pain and congestive lung conditions, such as bronchitis. The poultices are made by mixing the powdered seeds into a paste with warm water and spread onto brown paper. The poultices should be removed when they make the skin red. Mustard oil, a powerful irritant, is incorporated into liniments for rheumatic pain.

http://www.magdalin.com/herbal/plants_pages/m/mustard_black.htm
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discription as to what jesus is refering leaven to be is not mention so then leaven could be any thing that would spread rapidly. ie. leaven of the Pharisees- hipocrisy Luke 12:1, ie. pursuasion Galatians 5:8-9, ie. Malace and wickedness, sicerity and truth 1 Cor 5:8, ie. spread of the gospel Mat. 13:33.
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