What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
Wayside soil, stony places, and among thorns is an apt description of what the Christ found when he preached “Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17, cf 13:4-8). Israel's rejection of her Messiah and King ushers in a change of venue for the kingdom. It is portrayed in seven parables of Matthew 13; parables wherein “the kingdom of heaven is likened unto...”'; and the kingdom is now a revealed mystery that was not what Pharisees or the disciples were looking for. Now the kingdom takes a tack where there is more poor soil than good, tares in the wheat, a rogue mustard seed, and leaven in the meal. We often study these parables in light of preaching the gospel to every creature, but not in light of Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41,13:34,Matt 23:37), the city that rejected him and heard Pilot say, “Behold your King.” “He came unto his own and his own received him not” (John 1:11). We love the part, and preach the part that says, “But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the son's of God, even to them that believe on his name” (1:12). But our Lord was despised and rejected of men so that all we like sheep that have gone astray could be reconciled to the Father, who laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah53). This was always meant to be, but it required first that the Messiah come preaching “Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” It was at hand then, is in our hearts now, and will be over the whole world soon. Wait for it, watch for it, for sure, but right now, if you are born-again-saved, live the words of Jesus “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21).
An Essay for week #21May 24, 2020
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs200524.mp3
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A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
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