Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Hard to Enter
Matt. 11:12. "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.
It takes a special individual to enter the kingdom of heaven. This is one who is willing to fight his fleshly desires to obtain that pearl of great price. Matt. 13:45-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46. and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. This is not like the rich young ruler: Matt. 19:16, 21-22 And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 21. Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22. But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property. This kind of individual is so rooted in the temporal that he never sees the value of the kingdom. This is unlike Daniel and his three friends: Dan. 1:8; 3:16-18 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 16. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18. "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." It is in this sense we see that the kingdom suffers violence and the strong men and women are the violent ones who take it by force.
It takes a special individual to enter the kingdom of heaven. This is one who is willing to fight his fleshly desires to obtain that pearl of great price. Matt. 13:45-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46. and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. This is not like the rich young ruler: Matt. 19:16, 21-22 And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 21. Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 22. But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property. This kind of individual is so rooted in the temporal that he never sees the value of the kingdom. This is unlike Daniel and his three friends: Dan. 1:8; 3:16-18 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 16. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18. "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." It is in this sense we see that the kingdom suffers violence and the strong men and women are the violent ones who take it by force.
# posted by Castusfumus : 4:35 PM
