The Seed is Sown, Grows, and Bears Fruit for God’s Building
The Bible progresses from a garden to a city. God’s life (portrayed in the garden) comes to man, grows in man, and builds men together into a corporate expression of God, the city 
New Jerusalem.
The prior post shows a change, in 1 Corinthians 3:6-15, from life and growth on God’s farm to precious materials and the building of His living house. The same transition is presented in the first six parables of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 13.
In verses 3 to 23 the Lord is a sower, sowing Himself into men as a seed to grow and bear fruit. In verses 24 to 30 and 36 to 43 is more sowing, growing, and bearing fruit; this time it is mixed with unwanted tares sowed by His enemy.
In verses 31 and 32 a mustard seed is sown and grows abnormally large, not according to the nature of its life. The evil birds (v. 4, 19) come and live in its branches. Verses 33 to 35 are about meal made with the fruit produced from the seeds. But leaven, signifying negative things (Matt. 16:11-12; 1 Cor. 5:6-8) was added to the meal.
Although the tares, abnormal growth, and leaven are negative, the Lord has overcome all the devices of the evil one and will grow in us to bring forth a clean and pure New Jerusalem.
The next two parables are about a treasure (v. 44) and a pearl of great value (v. 45-46). The merchant (Jesus) who found these “sold all that he had” (died on the cross) and bought them. These two precious objects cannot be contaminated and are the life-produced materials which constitute New Jerusalem.
Photo courtesy of Good Free Photos.
Posted by Don on February 7, 2022
