The One Year Bible New Testament for New Beginnings by DaySpring NLT, Filament Enabled - Book - Page 45
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“‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30Let both grow together until the harvest.
Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put
the wheat in the barn.’”
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Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in
a field. 32It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree,
and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
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Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part
of the dough.”
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Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he
never spoke to them without using such parables. 35This fulfilled what God had spoken through the
prophet:
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“I will speak to you in parables.
I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.”
Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to
us the story of the weeds in the field.”
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Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. 38The field is the world, and
the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil
one. 39The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the
world, and the harvesters are the angels.
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“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41The
Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes
sin and all who do evil. 42And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom.
Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
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“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
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“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46When he
discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”
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E NCOU R AG E M E N T
As you move forward in your new beginning, don’t get caught in the weeds of life’s
usual distractions. Make God’s Kingdom your focus and priority. You are a child of
the King, so your eyes are already open to the reality of God’s Kingdom. Everything
God does for you can help you experience that reality. Keep in constant communion
with him. Allow him to grow you in wisdom and understanding so you can make real
progress on your journey. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize: the Kingdom of
Heaven.
