Then
He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It
is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and
became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.
There
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob
and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They
will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit
down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and
there are first who will be last.”
O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are
sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen
gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is
left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until
the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
”
He
also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard,
and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of
his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree
and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and
said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and
fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut
it down.’
An incredibly difficult
chapter to read, for it is very harsh.
But when we read in light of
the grace and salvation that is our Lord, it is a warning.
A warning that comes
just at the right time.
If you happen to be reading
this blog today and you do not know who the Lord is; salvation is available to
you; you will not perish.
If you happen to read and you
feel you are not bearing fruit grace is available to you; you will not be cut
down.
Our Lord in His sacrifice on
our behalf covers all, turn to Him and seek His assistance.
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