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THE KING’S BUSINESS
The seven parables are in three pairs, with one concluding parable: The “ Sower,” and the “T a r e s t h e “Mustard Seed,” and the “ Leaven;” the “Hid Treasure,” and the “ Pearl;” and the “Dragnet.” The first four may be said to show" the manner in which the Kingdom is valued by man; the last three present the matter, more particularly, from God’s side. (a) First Pair: The “ Sower,” and the “ Tares,” 13:3-30. The beginnings, obstacles, opposition, conditions, nature o f the Kingdom. The business o f the Church in this age to scat ter the seed in the whole world. There will be varying degrees'of acceptance, as well as opposition, from the enemy and his chil dren. There y ill be no “ world conversion” during this age. World evangelization is the Spirit’s plan for the Church age. It is an age for missions and testimony. £ Some practical .lessons: The importance o f right hearing (11-17). Obstacles the Christian worker has to meet 14-8, 19-23). The danger o f inactivity (25). The need o f care in discipline (28-30). Figurative language explained (36-43).- Shall one leave the Church because o f its inconsist encies ? (b ) Second Pair: The “Mustard Seed,” and the “Leaven,” 13:31-33. Here the external (Mustard Seed) and the internal (Leaven) development o f the Kingdom is set forth particularly with ref erence to its deterioration. “ The Mustard Seed”—The phenomenal, unfiatural and abnormal growth o f the Kingdom. The birds or fowls o f the air represent worldly powers o f evil (cf. Eze kiel 17:20-24; 31:3-6; Daniel 4:20-22). A picture o f unconverted people allying them selves with the Kingdom (Christendom) for the benefits conferred by such associa tion. “ The Leaven”—Leaven, throughout the Scripture is always a symbol o f evil. A picture o f Christendom permeated with evil, probably false doctrine being especially referred to, (cf. 16:12; 23:23-33—“the leaven (teaching) o f the Pharisees,” Sad- ducees, etc.).
(c ) Third Pair : The “ Hid Treasure,’” and the “ PèaM,” 13:44-46. These parables were spòken to the dis ciples for they alone could understand the “mysteries” o f the Kingdom which were hidden from the multitudes. The “ Hid Treasure”—This represents Christ discovering in the field o f the world a rich treasure in the person o f His redeemed (probably Israel in particular here). What a price Christ paid for this treasure (cf. Philippians 2:5-7; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 8 :9 ). The “ Pearl o f Great Price”—The “ Pearl” refers probably to the “ Church,” just as the “Hid Treasure” probably refers to Israel. To what depths He descended to purchase it (Ephesians 5:25-27; Romans 10:7-10). - (d ) Concluding Parable : “The Dragnet,” 13:47-50. The emphasis is here laid uponTihe con summation o f the Kingdom. This mixed condition of affairs in Christendom will not continue forever. There will be a time o f separation—at the end o f the age. 2 . The Kingdom and its crises, 14 - 16 : 12 . The shadows are deepening;, opposition is increasing; the total rejection o f the Kingdom is nigh. (a) The death o f John, 14:1-12. Here is a picture o f worldiness and whatx came o f it. John’s death. Opposition o f the Herodians—politics against Christ. (b ) The feeding the five thousand, 14:13- 21 . ' This miracle is evidently the immediate cause o f the plot on the part o f the Phari sees to arrest Christ, because o f its effect on the people (cf. John 6 , and 7:1). (c ) The opposition o f the Pharisees and Sadducees, 15:1-16:12. (1) The discussion regarding unwashed hands (15:1-20). (2) Christ’s departure—final rejection (v. 21 ). (3) Typical reception o f the Gentiles (15:22-28). (Second miracle o f miraculous feed ing, cf. 16:8-11).
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