Ya know it amazes me that so many different people looking at the same parable come up with so many different ideas and interpretations of it. Who on earth is right? Obviously only God knows. But wouldn’t it be wiser to just let the context, and others that are talking about the same thing interpret the parable?

The parable of the Mustard seed is merely the parable of the sower modified to use upon ourselves. One account says that the kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed in HIS garden. Well the parable of the sower already has conveyed that the soil is the heart of a man. It also teaches that the seed is the word of God. The fowls of the air are spirits that seek to keep the word from growing in our hearts. What’s being said here is that we are privileged to be able to invert this principle upon ourselves by planting Gods word in our own hearts. Upon doing so we sleep on it. Have you ever been told by a parent that if you have a problem, sleeping upon it will help you see it differently in the morning? Well this is the idea. We sleep upon it night after night and the seed springs up automatically. Notice the word automatically. This is the actual word in the Greek that was translated “for the earth brings forth fruit of HERSELF”-AUTOMATICALLY. Automatic means, “done without conscious thought or volition (decision of the will). In other words, our jobs are to bury to word of God in our hearts, and our hearts automatically brings it forth to fruition, without our having to think about it. The principle entails knowing how to plant the seed and then being patient-the hardest thing.

Why a Mustard seed? I looked up mustard in an encyclopedia. The first sentence of the first line said, “mustard is an easy crop to grow”.

Now notice the COMPARISON, “whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God and with what comparison shall we compare it?” The comparison is this: The mustard seed is so small that the fowls can literally eat it. But if it’s planted and allowed to grow, it becomes so big that the only thing that the fowls can do against that tree, is to lodge in its branches. Do you think that birds bother a tree? It’s probably not bothered by humans! It’s too big and strong. It’s like there not even there.

When we plant the Word in our hearts, the seed is very small and insignificant, it’s at this time the Satan represented as fowls of the air come looming in around us. To the small size of that seed the birds seem like 747 airplanes. The spirits of darkness are TEMPORARILY stronger than us. “Then cometh the devil to take out the word that is sown in the heart”. He uses affliction and persecution in the beginning phases. Then after the seed has sunk roots and has become stronger, he employs different tactics, he attempts to CHOKE the word, with “the cares of this world the deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things”. But if the seed is allowed to grow, with time the tree will become a 747 to the birds. In other words their non-existent as far as their influence goes.

What we are really doing is cultivating faith. Faith is the result of the word living and abiding in us. And it brings forth fruit. It manifests!

Now, the big question is how do we plant the seed?

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I am catechist and would very much like to obtain the picture which you describe. Thank you and God Bless!
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I too have the Greek meaning, but again, it does not say what you are trying to make it say! You have misquoted the Word of God, not by His Spiritual Truths, but according to the desires of your heart, which is earthy riches!
You want to use evil rich people that you might gain Riches, but did you not know,
(Proverbs-15-8) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight!

Do you think for one second, Holy God would use money from the wicked, an abomination to the Lord, that He might reward His Servants?

Satan has always deceived man, by misquoting the Word of God!

(James-1-5) If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God! Ask Him to guide you to His Truths, that you might understand the Word of God, because the carnal minded cannot receive the Spiritual Truths of the Word!
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Hello, God's great blessings to all......I found a page in the back of a bible that had the prodigal' son's ring on it. It had 8 stones, each signifiying a different thing, such as love, peace, hope, etc. Do you have any more info on this? or the sandals? Im letting the Lord lead me into making a banner of the ring. Also, it must mean the same thing about the reconcilliation of the Jews to Israel.!! This is a new revelation of the Lord, as I am also very interested in our role as Christians to the Jews.As the Messianic movement is the bridge of reconcilliation , bringing the Jew's to Jesus. Therefore, the restoration of Israel. Please answer soon, this is quite powerful in the Lord.................Love in Christ.......Chris
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I'm wondering about this connection - the "prodigal" son has a life issue - ADHD. Anyone who has lived in a family where one child has this life issue and another doesn't understands perfectly well the distress of the elder son on the return and celebration for the younger. The non-affected child, in many ADHD living situations, takes back seat to the behavior and emotions of the affected child as the parents spend most/all of their parental energy working with the affected child to maintain some sort of stability in the home and between the family members. The non-affected child does not KNOW that he is welcome to all the parents/father have as most of the family resources go to maintain the issued child.
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I am looking for a picture of a real mustard tree.
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I don't have a picture right here of a mustard seed but if you go into your local grocery store to the spice/food rack section you can locate them there. They are tiny little almost circular shape things. I am doing a presentation about them in my youth group. So, there ya go! Good luck!
Amanda
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This statement is wrong, sorry. I retract it.
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Father God in the name of Jesus I pray please deliver me from this deep depression that I am fallen into. God I pray please bring people around myself, Kevin, Kim, Christy, Betty, Dean, Delbert, Wanda, and all other family members that are under the Blood of Jesus. God I pray please put the love of Jesus in the hearts of my family members. God I pray please lead, guide and direct me by your spirit. God I pray please bind up fear, doubt, unbelief, lying spirits, pain, confusion, witchcraft spirits and all other demonic spirits that are attacking me. God I pray please send the right person to my sister Dean. God I pray please bring my sister Betty someone that will love her and get her out of that situation that she is in. God I pray go ahead of me next week and please keep the devil and his demons off of my back. God I pray please strengthen my faith and help me through these terrible times that I am going through. God I pray please clear the way for the person you are sending to get me out of bondage and that will love me and take care of me. God please give me your blessed assurance that help is on the way. God I ask all of these things in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen
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The Mustard Parable was a fulfilled Prophecy from Ezekiel 17!
Quote:
Ezekiel 17
22. Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:
23. In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
24. And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.












Other info....

Psalms 104
12. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

Proverbs 11
28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Isaiah 4
2. In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them...

Isaiah 11
1. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

Isaiah 60
16. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
17. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
18. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
19. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
20. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
21. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.


Jeremiah 23
5. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 33
15. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
_________________

The Harvest is soon......
and
If any person comes to Jesus Christ,
and doesn't love Jesus Christ over,
their father,
or their mother,
or their spouse,
or their children,
or their brethren,
or their sisters,
or even their own life,
they are not able to be a followers of Jesus Christ!

The Truth Shall Set You FREE!
http://www.freejesus.net/salvation.php
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1. why is this parable only recorded by luke?
2. Why is there no mother in the story?
3. Could this parable refer to the story of Jacob in Genesis? There seem to be many parallels.
4. Many of us do what the prodigal son did--leave home and misuse our inheritance. I know of many cases. But was the son completely restored to his former priveledged position after he came home, or was he treated as a guest?
5. It seems unfair that the older son was never given a party--but God is a God of justice--there seems to be a contradiction between the justice of God and the mercy of God.
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my wife and i are retired and during a recent discussion we each commented that we had never seen a mustard tree nor a picture of one. if you have a picture i would appreciate very much seeing it.
thanks!
john
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Maybe it just means that barren people should die... but not necessarily right away. Let barren women wither in their infertility awhile. What is all this about Israel???
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I teach Sunday School in church and would love to have a picture of a mustard tree to use in class. Thankyou!
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The prodigal son -
1. He leaves his father's house (He leaves God)
2. He ie eligible for 1/3 of the wealth
3. He waste money earned by others
4. He is broke and he joins himself to a country in famine
(He is apart of the wrong sector - an unproductive realtionship)
5.Upon return his father is happier to see him than he is his father
6. under the jewish law he could have been stoned to death
7. he could have been beaten a breath away from death - but not killed
8.. incorrect theology - he wanted to be forgiven and placed on a lower status (a servant). But repentance restore you back to the same level (not title in the sight of man)in the sight of God
9. The ultimate revelation above God's grace and mercy is this: That life in full is not about us - but God is the central figure and the main character in every story
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The Parable of the Sower is about the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

The Sower - Jesus
The Seed - The Sons of the Kingdom ( The Christians )
The Field - The World - Our respective areas ( working place ) where
Jesus has sown us.(marketplace)

All believers of Jesus are sown to respective location to be the light and salt to conquer that place and establish the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God should start on that person by LIVING according to the Word of God, if not the Devil will take away the light and darkened his testimony and will cause unfruitfulness. He should continue to be a testimony and be mature so that root will be established . Persecution and the World temptation will be part of his life but to be fruitful he should continue to HEAR AND DO ( understand ) the Word of God thus becoming fruitful for the Expansion of God's Kingdom in his area of responsibility.

All Christian are ambassador of Christ. We are the representative of God's Kingdom. In our areas, we need to LIVE and DO the Kingdom of God agenda ( Gospel of Matthew ) We need to please the KING. We can only expand the Kingdom of God through fruitfulness not just attending our sunday services. The Kingdom of God can be established Monday up to Saturday. ...in our WORKPLACE.

HONOR THE KING. EXPAND THE KINGDOM.LIVE IN THE KINGDOM PRINCIPLE. CONQUER MORE KINGDOM IN THIS WORLD FOR OUR KING.BE FRUITFUL. GOD BLESS YOU
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Jesus told the disciples on the road to Emmaus that all the scriptures spoke of him.

We should be particularly mindful of:

Eze 17:2 Son of man, put forth a riddle , and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
Da 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences , shall stand up.

Jesus not only told the parable, but spoke a riddle in the parable. You have been discussing the parable. Let me share on the riddle. The riddles always speak of Christ. So we start with Christ as we parse the parable.

In every other parable of Luke, the rich man is Christ. We should not expect it to be different here. Christ is portrayed in the language of the riddles as prophet, priest, king and judge. In this riddle he is the judge since he wears purple. Yes. Kings wear purple also. But they wore it because Kings were judges as well.

After the judges, Samuel judged Israel, then he made his sons judges, bu they were evil. So the people asked Samuel to give them a king to judge them:

1 Sam 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Gold is the color of the king, but he wore purple as judge. So the rich man is Christ as judge.

Fine linen represents burial clothes. Christ as judge died and was wrapped in fine linen. Before we go on, some will stop me and say that Jesus was not a judge. But John says his life was the light of the world, and that the light was condemnation. His perfect life condemns us and puts us to shame because he resisted sin when tempted in every way as we are. In the riddles, the judge must die to signify that judgment ends. In the same way, the prophet dies to signify that prophecies have all been fulfilled.

Now the name Lazarus means "whom God helps" and he also represents Christ but in the role of Priest.
Lazarus has the Hebrew equivalent name of Eleazer, who was the high priest. The narrative of the other Lazarus is a picture of the death of Christ and he is represented as a sick priest who then dies and rose again. This Lazarus is also sick. So we ask the riddle: In what way is Christ a sick priest? The answer is that while Jesus was alive he was an ineffectual priest because he was from the wrong tribe to be a priest. To be high priest, he had to die and be raised from the dead like the other Lazarus.

Jesus had 'emptied himself' of deity, and we call this kenosis. He partook of only a small portion of the bread compared to what he experience prior to the kenosis.

The dogs are the gentiles, and there is some word-play taking place that resolves to: they were separated by gleaning his wound. Christ's harvest began when living water poured from his pierced side, and the harvest included the gentiles which were gleaned.

When Lazarus dies he becomes fully the High Priest. As the rich man is tormented in death he typifies Jesus and cries out "Why have you forsaken me?" He receives no relief. This is the cry of the judge. There was no evil in Christ's judgment, why then did he have to die? So that judgment would end.

It is Christ as High Priest that sits at the right hand of God.

5 is the number of man in the riddles, 10 the number of the dual-natured man. So Christ as judge pleads and says he has brothers of flesh only who are likewise doomed and pleads that the Priest return to tell them. If Christ as priest had remained on earth, he would not be making intercession in heaven. Therefore Lazarus is not sent back.

Moses and the prophets are a sufficient testimony to show men that they are lost. And Christ in heaven is a sufficient priest to save them.

So we see a changing role for Christ as judge to Christ as Priest. Judgments cease. Judgment and grace cannot be mixed, so Lazarus cannot visit the rich man.

Pr 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
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The Ten Vergins are not the Church they represent the Virgin daughters of Zion. The Jews were to keep their lamps lit to show the every lasting covenant not the Church. It will be the Virgin daughters of ZION that go forth IN THE DAY OF DARKNESS to meet their Lord with their LAMPS Lit! When jesus returns he will be returning from the wedding Luke 12, so then these are not Christians at all! The oil in this parable is not the Holy Spirit. In acts when Simon tried to buy the Holy Spirit he was told it was a SIN to even THINK such a thing. So, no one is going to be able to say that Jesus in a parable is implying that these unwise Virgins can go buy the Holy Spirit. This can not happen and it contridicts all scripture to say that you can buy the Holy Spirit.

This is actually a closer to literal picture of the believing and non believing Jews who will go forth IN THAT DAY. But remember he is returning from the Wedding Luke 12. So, the Church is no longer on earth but returning with Jesus!
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It may be important to note that the younger son does not ask for his inheritance but for his share of the property. His inheritance would bring with it cultural and societial responsibility. He only wanted to cash in and then cash out to go and party. He did not want the responsibility in the community.
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I heard that the mustard trees bark is petrified and has a dew that keeps insects away from sheep. That when a goat gets under the mustard tree that same dew will drive them mad and they will ram the tree until they die. That there are only 2 things that grow under it, one the Rose of Sharon, and two a weeping willow (humility). Has any one else ever heard of this?
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There is nothing we *alone* can do to be saved. The fruit is from the Spirit in us, not actions we make alone. See Gal 5:22-26;

(KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The Spirit will produce the fruit according to the Father's Will...don't let people tell you what that should be. Live (abide) in the Spirit of the Lord and He in you! Our salvation is found in the Savior, not in how many tracks we hand out. :-)

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TO the Webmaster,
Where did you get the information on the Mustard Plants?
The largest of the plants that I know of is the Black Mustard, which reaches the height of about 3 to 4 feet. (Still a considerable height for a bird to perch in.) The Bible remains infallible

TO KEN,
Although I could find nothing on the topic of Cross-pollination, there is a problem with the idea...
There are around 3000 species of mustard plants and nearly 390 genera. If cross-pollination does not occur in at least one of these species of plant I will be very surprised.
What I would be curious to know is, "Which species of mustard plant was Jesus speaking of?"



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We are all prodigals
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I have traveled the Country and always heard the same interpretation of the Mustard Seed and never say one mention above (unless I just missed it). There are many times people feel down but if they can maintain their faith, even if it feels so small, small as a mustard seed, God will always be there to grow that faith into the largest of seed baring plants. If you want to debate herbs, plants and trees, go nuts (no pun intended). The importance of the parable is that God is there-Always. Keep the faith, even when it seems unbearable, He will grow your faith to the largest.
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No. They wer bridesmaids. Read about Eastern marriage customs.
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Surely it's all about God's love being for everyone. The younger son is like those who do not want to know God the Father, who tun their backs on him. But then in the end they do recognise the father and humbly accept forgiveness from him. The elder son is like those who have always been with God the Father within the church. Basically there are no long-service medals in heaven - we will all be equal no matter how long we have acknowledged God as our Father - so long as we do eventually.
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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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I was also wondering what became of Barabas after his release. I had always thought of him as a murderer, but "sedition" appears to indicate that he was a revolutionary..... and I wonder about his crimes also.
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It's not a parable about literal money. Like Jesus speaking to Nicodemus in John 3, Jesus is using the literal, physical world--the things we can understand--to explain the spiritual. Over and over again in the scriptures God uses analogies and metaphors and the like to teach unseen, spiritual principles to the earthbound minds of fallen men.

"I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" (John 3:12)

Maybe this proverb sums up the parable of the talents:
"The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment." (Proverbs 10:16)

Even if the parable of the talents had a literal meaning there is nothing wrong with putting our "money to work" (vs. 16). Playing the market is only one way of bringing increase to money. You can buy things and sell them at a profit, or produce products to sell at a profit as long as we do it honestly and don't violate any of the Lord's commands.

"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."
(Proverbs 10:4)

"He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgement." (Proverbs 12:11)

"Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow." (Proverbs 13:11)

"The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight."
(Proverbs 11:1)

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The leder brother represents us as well. The prodigal was the wasteful son the elder brother was the stingy son.
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Hi'! I believe the parable of the ten virgins is about the pre-trib rapture of the Saints right after the antichrist comes on the scene.The wise Virgins get to go in the rapture,and the un wise stay here.They are still virgins so they are christians,but they were not ready.They are still saved but they cannot go in the rapture.If they were ready they could go,so this is a message to us all to be ready.Does the Bible tell us that the world will know who the antichrist is?Who will know when the antichrist is on the scene? I feel that the Bible is telling christians that they may be able to know when he first begins his leadership,and who he is.The world will think he is great and that he is good,but only christians could know the truth about him when he first appears on the scene.I believe the rapture is coming very soon.Let us all pray for each other day and night so that we will all be ready,o.k?I love you all though I do not see you! I love you because Jesus loves you and because we share the same Lord Jesus,and we share the same family through him.Please be blessed,and May God bless you all greatly,in his name,amen.Loving Jesus,Diane
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The non prodigal son is the one who attends church every week. does all that is to be done to be a "good" son- obedient hardworking. yet he does not see how BIG his Father is- how his Father is capable of loving them both equally as much. He does not see how everything that God has belongs to him. Everything that he "worked" for is his to own. He is even petty about a fattened calf! To me, he has obeyed without really Knowing the character of his own father. My take on him. ;)
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Mustard. Several kinds of mustard-plant grow in the Holy Land, either wild, as the charlock, Sinapis arvensis, and the white mustard, S. Alba, or cultivated, as S. nigra, which last seems the one intended in the Gospel. Our Lord compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed (Matt., xiii, 31-2), a familiar term to mean the tiniest thing possible (cf. Talmud Jerus. Peah, 7; T. Babyl. Kethub., iiib), "which a man … sowed in his field" and which "when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs"; the mustard tree attains in Palestine a height of ten feet and is a favourite resort of linnets and finches.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12149a.htm

http://www.understandingbibleprophecy.com/Parable%2520of%2520the%2520Mustard%2520Seed.htm


http://www.web.odu.edu/webroot/instr/sci/plant.nsf/pages/mustard

http://www.bibletexts.com/qa/qa081.htm

The black mustard grew wild in Palestine on the shores of Galilee. This herb reached 1.8 to 2.4 m. (60 to 8 ft.) in height and as covered with yellow flowers. The seeds were used to flavor meat and vegetables, and were a favorite food of the birds.
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'Hitch (and others): Bighouse has pegged the kingdom parables of Matt. ch. 13. '
Following this logic the sum of the historical workings of the HS on earth is abject failure as the leaven affects the 'whole lump'. Of course this means that Christ's efforts at building the Temple of 'living stones' is also a failure, since all are of the 'leaven 'as well.
I dont recognize this puny Holy Spirit nor the weak defeated Christ you present. I do reconize the foul stench of a dead lawyer in the person of CI Scofield who was an originator of this doctrine that is 180 degrees opposed to Christ's teachings.
BTW gents, even Pentecost of DTS fame has reversed the failed official (read Scofield Bible) position on the parables specifically the Mustard Seed and the Leaven. I'll provide the quotes,before and after , if you like.
Take care
Hitch

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god is telling us as christians to leave out of the church go to the homeless ,the projects your friends and invite them to your church so they can hear and recieve the word of god !
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The good samaritan is a very good parable that is really known throught-out both the christian society and the jewish because of the relationship in that parable if the Gentile and the Jew.
When the priest and the levite passed by both should have helped but did not then the samaritan passed by although he was not expected to help he did the unthinkable he helped the jew who looked down on the samaritans because of their mixed breed.
Despite this the samaritan cared after the man took him to an inn and left enough money there for him to stay a little while longer until he was better.
This shows one of the greatest forms of love for your neighbor in the bible
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What is the scientific name for a fungus on bread? If possible i really need the answer today..it is for a biology project!
Thanx a bunch!
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The meaning of this scripture is very simple if you allow the other scriptures concerning the kingdom to interpret it. All that's being said hear is that "there is nothing hid which shall not be manifest". It's an example of how the word of God reacts with the human spirit and together they radiate the fact that his word was put in. If you take two balls of dough, insert yeast in one of them and come back in twenty minutes, it doesn’t take a genius to say "hey someone put yeast in that one". Yeast is not good or bad it's just a catalyst that works with something else for a desired end. Certainly it can be bad, "beware of the leaven of the scribes and Pharisee’s-hypocrisy" for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed (same idea). But it also says that the kingdom of God is like leaven.

The meaning is this. When we "hide" the word in our hearts, the leaven of god’s word will work with our spirit to "manifest" or bring to light or "reveal" the fact that we "sowed" to our hearts the word. It will manifest. Now, if there's nothing hid that shall not be manifest, shouldn't we as Christians be asking "then how on earth do I "hide" something? This is the idea here. We have a treasure hid in our hearts, and the person who discovers how to hide something, will be able to "manifest" or tap into that hidden treasure. He'll bring forth fruit.

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u dont kno wat ur talkin about. da church is lieing 2 u. jesus never said worship me.u can read da bible u will never see him say dat
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if the father represents God, the younger son represents us, who does the elder son represent?
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Not much is ever mentioned of the elder son and his position in this parable. Is he not a "prodigal" son as well? Can one not stray or turn from what is right and not leave home physically him? Also, I think about the demand of the younger son for what he thought should be rightfully his inheritance. Again, little is ever mentioned about the father giving to both his sons their rightful inheritance.
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I was looking for a picture of a mustard tree when this site came up. How wonderful is God to show me the way to this. Could some one please respond to my e-mail address and explain what this site is all about? Oh ya, I still want a picture of a mustard tree.
Blessing of the Father of us all on you!
Scott
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i love jesus sooo much
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There is disagreement amongst commentators concerning the identity of the Ten Virgins. Most believe this parable points to Israel at the end of the tribulation anticipating the Messiah. Some believe it points to the church prior to the Rapture. Either way, the focus is on being prepared. The contrast is between the believer who is a possesser, and the unbeliever who is merely a professor. The oil pictures the Holy Spirit whom the true believer will have (Rom. 8:9). The symbol of the virgin pictures those without reproach, blameless. The foolish virgins are typical of those professing Christians whose outward life and conduct is unstained with iniquity (externalism). Their lamps are a symbol of their profession. They all slumbered and slept (pictures the indifference of this age). When the midnight cry is heard the foolish virgins cry, "Give us of your oil" (v.8), but this oil (salvation) cannot be borrowed; it must be bought of Him who alone can sell it (Rev. 3:18; Isa. 55:1). When the Bridegroom returns it is too late as the door is shut (entrance to the kingdom). The lesson for all of us here is that we must have a personal acquaintance (v.12) with the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a great difference between knowing about him and knowing him by having a personal born again experience of regeneration.
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http://www.ilhawaii.net/~danrubio/mustard/
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http://www.ask.com/

this is a search engine called ASK JEEVES. Type in your request for

picture of a mustard tree

there is one listed
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teaching grandchildren faith is as a mustard seed

please send info as described

greatly appreciated

louise

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Luke 13:18-19 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
Ezekiel 17:22-23 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent: In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
Remember the song "he is the vine and we are the branches"? Luke, Matthew, and Ezekiel can all be paralleled. Luke and Matthew are descriptive, and Ezekiel gives even more detail on what it is talking about, which is God's fulfillment of his promise for a Messiah (the highest branch that is taken and planted in Israel), and in the shadow of his wings (ok, branches, lol) all of the nations will take refuge and dwell in his presence. (shadow) Chrys

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Would it be possible for me to read how Brenda T:urner napplies this parable to her life to pass it on for tomorrow morning as a sermonette to children age 5 thru 4th grade?
Thank you.
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I am trying to research the mustard plant, with special interest in the mustard "tree" mentioned in these passages. Where can I go to find out more. For instance you have mentioned near the Sea of Galilee and near Damascus the mustard tree of scripture is found. Where did you get that info.? What is the documentation? I would like to research this but need documentation so I know where to look for more info. Please help.

In Christ's Service,
Loran Haugsted
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