I'd like to dedicate this post to my friends and elders who have stood by me during tough times for without them I wouldn't be here continuing to write like I used to. Thank you. Seems like I will finally finish a series that I start, haha.
Parables of the Good
The Parables of the Weeds and the Net has much to say about the Kingdom of Heaven when it comes to talking about what is good. After some analysis, we see some both basic similarities in both parables: the symbolic harvesting, the act of picking or separation and the consequences following that separation.
Some interesting points to note here:
1) Weeds are hard to differentiate from wheat - this is analogous to how true and false believers may tend to appear alike
2) Harvesting refers to the day of judgement: When God comes to judge us, the good will be separated from the evil
Additionally, here are some questions to consider before we can start to observe the flow of thought in analyzing these parables:
First up, should these parables only be seen applicable in the 'Christians vs. Non Christians' context, or also even within the community of Christians?
I believe the parable of the weeds would be more apt when discussing within the Christian community due to the analogy of weeds and wheat used. Since weeds and wheat are difficult to tell apart, to me, this brings out the 'same but different' effect. Vice versa, it would seem that the parable of the net would then suit talking about Christians and Non-Christians. But I digress. Here's the important question (in the context of the parable of the net):
What makes us a good or a bad fish?
I like the analogy used by Uncle Chien Chuan in explaining the answer to this question. In the sea, being a fish such as a pomfret (for those who don't know, it is a great tasting fish and is also an essential source of fish for people) would not be ideal. It's small, defenseless and only serves as prey for other fishes and predators. On the other hand, being a shark would be great because you're at the top of the food chain! However, the situation changes and now the fishes are being netted in by fishermen. In this case, the pomfret would now be the more desired and valued fish compared to the shark. That is what the harvesting signifies: Us being brought away from this world. Right now, we pomfrets may not be seen as much; but when the time of harvesting comes, we will be valued over the sharks that once used to dominate. Which would you rather be in the Kingdom of Heaven - the pomfret or the shark?
We have the potential to be good, but remember, our goodness lies in the eyes of God in Heaven.
Parables of the Great
The Parables of the Yeast and the Mustard Seed are two encouraging parables that give me motivation in growing in my faith. Yes, they are really short parables but they hold so much meaning - in simply understanding the context of what Jesus said and thinking about the implications, be it something as plain as a seed or miniscule yeast, much can be learned.
Some points to note when reading these parables:
1) Similarity of starting small: Both the mustard seed and yeast are really small - that's it.
2) Similarity of extensive growth/spreading: Both the mustard seed and yeast grew/spread, and not only that, they did it extensively and reached far.
3) Difference in numbers: Mustard seed was a single entity whereas the yeast was collective.
4) Difference in type of growth: Mustard seed showed intrinsic growth while the yeast caused external growth.
5) Most importantly, both are similar in the sense that they resulted in benefits for others: the mustard seed became a mustard tree for birds to seek shelter in while the yeast allowed the bread to rise and grow.
Some noteworthy points I'd like to highlight:
6) The seed dies in order to grow into a tree. The yeast becomes obsolete in the end.
7) The seed became a tree that provides shelter for others and an environment for life.
There's so much to be learned from a mere seed! Looking at point 5, we see that both of these growths resulted in something that benefited others. In point 7, we also see that as a form of provision for others. However, point 6 demonstrates clearly the ultimate implication: that is to die to ourselves.
You see, if the seed doesn't die to itself, it will not grow into a mustard tree. It will remain what it is - a seed. It is precisely because it died to itself, it could grow into a tree and provide for others. Similarly, the yeast resulted in the growth of the dough surrounding it - however, after this process is completed, the yeast has become useless and is of no relevance. Both the seed and yeast dies/ becomes obsolete in bringing about benefits for others.
Here's the defining question:
What is YOUR idea of greatness?
It was never until I had to answer this question that it occurred to me that I didn't understand what being great was. Both the mustard seed and yeast were considered to be great. Why? Because they either provided for others or they led to the growth of others. Being great is not what we can do or how good we can be but it is how much we can do for others and how good a friend we can be to others. In the end, it was not the seed itself that was great but the tree. It was not the yeast itself that was great but the dough that grew as a result of the yeast. But wait, there's more! For the yeast and seed to do what they did, they both had to die to themselves. The mustard seed had to die to become a tree. The yeast was finite and became obsolete after the fermentation process. Greatness is not just a measure of how much we can do for others but also the price that we are willing to pay to do that!
So how do we live in greatness?
Well, to live like a mustard seed, give up living for yourself and seek to grow intrinsically so that you may become a tree that provides comfort and rest to others around you! To live like the yeast, be interested in invest the time and effort in helping others to grow; contribute to the growth of God's Kingdom!
Neither the seed nor the yeast become great themselves. But their greatness comes in the work that they do - to provide for and to edify others.
Thank you for putting up with my long posts, it means a lot to me that people are interested to read the messages that I put up. Again, I'd like to thank Uncle Chien Chuan for being an inspiration for the writing of this series. Tune in for part 3 where I'll discuss the Parables of The Rich.
Take care and have a good week ahead!
Matt
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