“When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there.  And He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, with the result that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man acquire this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” (Matthew 13:53-54)

The Holy Spirit opens our minds to understand Scripture.  No longer do we need to be taught to know the Lord, for we understand that He has written the law upon our hearts and from the least to the greatest, there are those who know the Lord.  Regardless of our beginning in this life, the Lord raises us up with His wisdom.  The One, who is all wisdom, stood in their midst.  Is it any wonder that they marveled at what He said?

We often are so judgmental that we do not realize that we are always filtering things through our own ideas of things.  But, when You realize that wisdom is given as it is given, you learn to rejoice when you hear wisdom.  The Lord can and does often speak through the lips of a small child.  Rejoice in wisdom no matter where or from whom it comes.  All wisdom is given by the Lord.

Lord, increase wisdom in me so that I may speak Your word of truth wherever I go.  Guard my lips so that I speak what is fitting as one of Your redeemed.  Take hold of my mind lest the distractions of this world lead me astray.  In all that I do this day, may it be by Your direction.  Thank You for guiding me in the way of righteousness.  Thank You for making this possible through Your grace.  In all things, may I speak Your praise to all whom I encounter.  Amen.

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.”  And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure new things and old” (Matthew 13:51-52).

Do you or I really understand these things?  When our minds think of these things, we become confused.  The simple truth is that we can only say “yes” to going into the world and sharing the Good News with others.  What will become of it belongs to the Lord.  We are to do our part. Those who understand this know that they have influence with others, not just for their sake, but for the sake of the kingdom.

Lord, in conformance to Your will, let my “yes” be “yes” and do what You have instructed me to do.  I know that confusion is the “weeds” of the enemy.  Keep me from speculating about results so that I stay on the tasks You give me.  You are the author and finisher of our faith; so, although I care deeply about others, both with hope and with accusation, still, it all remains in Your hands.  Teach me to do what You give me to do.

Holy Spirit, direct me as a head of the household to care for those who are around me.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to know that in You alone am I able to do what You would have me do.  Clear my mind and instruct me in living out the Gospel. Through all that You give, help me to understand more fully the role You would have me play.  Thank You for guiding me in living out this life of faith which You have given me.  Amen.

“So it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come forth and remove the wicked from among the righteous, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:47-48).

The call of Jesus is to become those who are righteous through faith.  The righteous look to the Lord for all things.  They know that life comes from Him.  The righteous seek to do what is pleasing to the Lord always.  The ones who reject the Lord will never be happy and blessed, for apart from the Lord, and curved in on ourselves, it is only isolation and loneliness.  How can one be content amongst those who only care for themselves?

Lord, You have created us to be social beings. Help me to see that people are important to You and therefore, need to be to me as well.  You are the one who separates, so help me live with others in the hope that they too will come to possess the life You offer.  Guide me away from judging others to see in them the same hope some saw in me when I was a prodigal.  Guide me into Your grace always.

Come, Holy Spirit, and clear my mind to do the tasks You give me to do.  I am among those whom You have placed around me so that I may live into the life of being one of Your righteous ones whom You have redeemed.  Teach me to give grace as I have received grace so that I may grant grace and mercy to others as I have received grace and mercy.  May I always submit to Your will for me and others.  Amen.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away” (Matthew 13:47-48).

Jesus is telling us that all are given the opportunity, but not everyone will take it.  Many are they who hear the Good News and reject what the Lord offers.  It is the Lord who will separate them at the end of this age.  We are to share what we have received.  We do not know who is which, for that is the Lord’s business, but the task He gives us to do is follow Him and share with others so that they too may follow Him.

Lord, sometimes I am that unacceptable fish.  Without Your grace, it would be impossible.  Sometimes I think I am your prize catch which is even worse.  Help me to be whom You are making me to be and remain in the rest You give and in the peace which is mine through You.  Not resting in idleness, but resting in the truth that all things are in Your hands.  Help me to never judge whether another is worthy, for none are, but simply to humbly follow You in all things, leaving the judgment to You.

Lord Jesus, teach me to walk this path of life, doing what You would have me do, gathering those around me so that they too may have the opportunity to follow You.  Guide me in Your goodness to always live knowing that everything is in Your hands.  Grant me humility, that I would be content in simply walking with You, trusting that You know those who are Yours.  Amen.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold everything that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46).

What is the most important thing in your life?  Is it not life itself?  Without it, what good does all the striving do?  You have been given the words of eternal life.  Where else can we go?  Why the desire to go any other place than the place that is the source?  You have before you the greatest treasure.  Learn to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Lord, You have given me the words of truth.  Your word offers to move me and shape me into something new.  Continue to pour forth into me the truth You have spoken so that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy.  Lead me according to all that You have planned and help me to receive all that You speak.  Only in You is there new life, and only through You is there the hope of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, with great simplicity You have conveyed the truth of Your word.  Help me to place everything else behind me and beneath You that I may be guided into Your goodness.  You know the steps I need to take.  Help me to walk each step, looking to You as the One who keeps me.  Lead me in Your goodness to become who You are making me to be.  Continue to conform me to Your image.  Amen.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells everything that he has, and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44).

The Lord makes it plain, yet there is also a thought which needs to be pursued.  We sometimes think in terms of the gifts just being given us, but we must do our part.  This is about relationship.  The two are to become one.  Have we not heard this from the beginning?  It involves true merging with the Lord, Him in us, that we find ourselves.  We are two, yet one.  Some know this in marriage, but do we know this in faith?

Lord, I live the mystery with each relationship that I have.  While I am fully myself with another, I am also a new person,  But also there is a unity or bond that grows in the friendship.  Lead me so that I grow in the ability to relate with You and others.  Guide me into all truth that I may leave behind that which has no enduring value for the gift of the eternal life which You are offering me.

Lord Jesus, You offer me joy and peace.  Grant that I would be led humbly by Your grace and mercy to live into the life that You are offering me.  Help me to understand these things more clearly and focus my attention and energy on what You know I need.  Through all things, guide me in Your goodness to live into the new life which You have given me through faith and by grace.  You are the One who must lead me in the way I need to go.  Help me, Lord.  Amen.

“Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 13:43).

The Light of the world is Christ who shines the radiance of the Father’s glory.  He has made it possible for us to be made new.  Those who embark on the journey of renewal will be in the Spirit of the living God as He transforms them into a child of the Heavenly Father.  Be led by the One who brings you into His kingdom.

Lord, the mystery is great, but the more I walk in Your way, the more I can see Your hand changing me day by day.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to look to You to lead and be led in the way You know I need to be. Holy Spirit, pour into me what needs to be poured into me and bring me to the place where I let go of what needs to be let go.  In all things, bring forth Your righteousness  You will shine through me.

Lord Jesus, You have come sharing the truth of creation.  There are those around me who will not conform to Your image. But help me to see that You are speaking to me anew each day.  Guide me by Your living word so that I may grow into Your likeness.  Grow in me Your righteousness that I may reflect Your light to the world around me.  Lead me, Lord, according to Your goodness and mercy.  Amen. 

“The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42).

This world is already filled with those who are weeping and gnashing their teeth.  Sin causes the pride-filled person to have hatred because things are not as they want them to be.  The rebellion of this age will end for those who come to the righteousness of Christ, being separated from those who insist on their own way.  Will it be the Lord’s will or your will which you seek?  This is the real difference between those of this age.

Lord, help me to see more clearly the difference between those of this age and who You are creating us to be for the age to come.  Help me to not get caught up in the ongoing nonsense of this age.  Help me to lay down the arms of rebellion I know too well so that I may humbly come into Your kingdom.  Guide me in all goodness, and by Your grace, help me come to You as I am able.

Lord Jesus, make of me what You will.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly come with a willingness to be shaped by You according to the Father’s will.  Remove from me all resistance to Your plan so that I may conform daily to Your image.  Guide my footsteps to do what is right in Your sight, living the new life You have given me.  Amen.

“So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age” (Matthew 13:40).

There are people who will refuse to come to the Lord.  They like the idea of paradise, but they are unwilling to repent and become people who will not be turned away .  The wicked must be separated.  This is true justice.  It is not capricious of God to forbid sinners from corrupting heaven.  Sin has corrupted this world.  Those who follow the Lord are being prepared to live in His kingdom forever.

I know that this world is filled with hate, Lord.  Guide me so that I live into the life for which You are preparing me.  Help me to understand Your wisdom a little more each day.  When confronted by those who yell, “It’s not fair,” help me to understand the rebellion against You so that I realize that You alone are just.  Lead me to trust You above all things.  This is Your creation, and You will do what You will with what is Yours.

Lord Jesus, You came with great humility, and You have taught us what it means to be a part of Your kingdom.  Help me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk the way You would have me walk.  Guide me so that I humbly live according to Your teaching.  In all things, help me to listen to Your voice above the constant noise of this age.  Lead me into the righteousness You give by grace.  Amen.

“[A]nd the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels” (Matthew 13:38-39).

You now know all the players.  There are those who will follow the Lord and those who will follow the wicked one.  This world is in a state of rebellion, and at the end, Jesus will separate the wheat from the chaff.  Those who hate the Lord will hate you when you tell them the truth.  Everyone will not make it to heaven.  Look to the Lord, stop your rebellion, and follow Him wherever He will lead you.

Amidst all the noise in this age, I become confused by all of the messages that float around.  Help me to see things in their simplest form so that I may comprehend the overall truth of what You have spoken.  You have planted Your good seed in me.  Let the seed of the wicked one fall off me so that I listen to You alone in and for all things.  You are the Sovereign Lord.

Lord Jesus, save me, because I cannot perfectly repent nor turn to the Father.  You died for me so that I could be reconciled to the Father.  Lead me now and always, Lord Jesus, to live this new life that You have given me, knowing this world is hell-bound.  I may not know whether my neighbor is wheat or chaff, but I know that You have called me to be one of Yours.  Lead me in the grace You have given to be Your follower.  Amen.