07 October
Bible In 365 Days
Matthew 13-14 
Matthew 13
This chapter contains the seven parables of the Kingdom. The reason for the parabolic teaching of Christ is set forth here. This first parable was spoken to the multitudes (Matthew 13:2-3). Its explanation was given to the disciples only (verses Matthew 13:10-18). "The word of the Kingdom" is the seed (Matthew 13:19). The result is dependent on the one who hears, and on how he hears.
The second parable was spoken to the multitudes (verse Matthew 13:34). Its explanation was given to the disciples only (Matthew 13:36). Another sowing is going on in the world's broad fields side by side with that of the Son of Man. The final extermination of evil is not to be found during sowing, but lies in the period of harvesting at the end of the age. The character of this age is thus clearly revealed as mixed.
The figure of a great tree in the Scriptures is ever of great power. It is so used of the king of Assyria, of Pharaoh, and of Nebuchadnezzar. This particular parable says nothing of the nature of the tree, whether it is good or bad. It is simply a revelation of this one aspect of force in the world, the greatest of all, and such Christianity undoubtedly has become. Birds lodging in the branches most probably refers to elements of corruption which take refuge in the very shadow of Christianity. How much the Kingdom has suffered by harboring the unclean birds very few rightly appreciate.
The figure of leaven is uniformly used in Scripture to typify evil. This is no exception to the rule. All the outward manifestations of Church life have become more or less corrupt, contaminated by the evil leaven which was introduced into the Church of Jesus Christ by paganizing influences. That which produces fermentation issues in disintegration, and leaven is the very principle of decay in active condition.
The next three parables were spoken not to the multitudes, but to the disciples, and they reveal the present age from the divine standpoint rather than in its manifestation of the Kingdom to the world. The treasure hid in the field is the Church, and the Finder is the Lord Himself. The special treasure is His heavenly people, but the whole field is His. Nothing will finally be lost save the abominable and whosoever worketh or maketh a lie. The same truth is presented in the next parable. The merchant is the Master. The Church is the "pearl of great price." We have not bought Him. He has bought us. The last general parable teaches the mixing of the present results of work, and points to the end of the age and the sorting that will then take place. From teaching His disciples, the Lord went to Nazareth, and there "did not many mighty works because of their unbelief".
Matthew 14
The presence and activity of the true King filled the false ruler with alarm. Herod sacrificed John to his lust. Once Herod had heard John, and the remembrance of former conviction was still with him, but the grip of sensual intoxication was greater than the voice of conscience. Yet in the sight of heaven it was Herod who perished, not the prophet. "When Jesus heard of it" (Matthew 14:13), that is, of Herod's surmise, He went to the desert. The crowds followed Him. "He healed their sick", and with five loaves and two fishes fed 5,000 men, besides women and children.
Twas springtime when He blessed the bread,
'Twas harvest when He brake.
The Master Himself felt the need of getting away at times from the multitudes into places of loneliness and prayer. Familiarity with the crowd only produces hardening. Familiarity with God issues in a perpetual resensitizing of the heart, which prevents hardening.
The familiar story of the storm on the lake is full of exquisite beauty. The Master in His place of quiet retirement has not forgotten His disciples, and in the moment of their need comes to them strong to deliver, mighty to save. This story is daily repeated in the life of some storm-tossed soul. At the first we often fail to recognize Him as He approaches through the wind and over the sea. Wait patiently, and over the howling of the storm will sound the infinite music of His voice:
"Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid."
