Jesus Never Told Us To Climb Mountains

The Shunammite Woman 2

Elisha passed by the house of this lady and her husband continually and stopped at their house to eat.

The Lady perceived that Elisha was a man of God, mentioned that to her husband and they added a room onto their house for Elisha to stay in when he passed by there.

Elisha, because of her kindness to him ask what she needed.

Gehazi, Elisha’s servant told Elisha that she has no child and her husband is old.

2 Kings 4:8-37

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

Notice that the Lady told the prophet not to lie to her!

She did not want to be deceived!

16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

The Woman conceived as Elisha said unto her and she had a son.

17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

The child grew, went out to field and fell, hurt his head.

The boy died as the Lady held him.

18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.

Now, in order to get a perspective on what is happening, consider the way most people would react to such a situation.

Consider how you might react had God granted you a child when you had no hope of having one. Your child was born and a few years later was injured and died?

How many would “go to pieces” with grief, not having any hope for the child. It is urgent and serious for the child is dead.

How many would immediately give up on the dead child having no hope.

The child is dead!

Nothing can be done now!

The child is dead!

Most would immediately break down and cry and cry and cry.

Most would blame God.

God! You gave me a child and then took him. Why do you hate me so to do that to me?

Is that how the Shunammite Lady responded?

No!

She calmly laid the boy on the prophets bed, shut the door and went out.

No tears, no crying, no uncontrollable grief!

What she did was to just lay the boy on the prophets bed, shut the door and go out.

She has not said a word to this point. In an urgent and serious situation she has a guard on her mouth and does not speak a word.

She does not speak sadness!

She does not speak loss!

She does not speak grief!

She does not even speak the fact that the boy died!

She lays her dead son on the prophets bed, shut the door and went out!

21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

She called to her husband.

What did she say to him?

She said that she was going quickly, she used the word “run” to see the man of God and request someone to go with her.

What did she not say to her husband?

She did not mention one word to her husband about the boy dying.

She did not cry to him about it.

She guarded her mouth and was mindful of the words she spoke.

22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.

Her husband asked her what was going on.

When she answered she was mindful of her words and said “it shall be well”.

Her son, only child, no chance of having another, was dead.

Her response to her husbands question?

“IT SHALL BE WELL”.

Is something wrong with this Lady?

How can she be so callous?

How can she be so uncaring?

She did not even tell her husband what happened.

When he asked she said “it shall be well”!

How can “it” be well when the child is dead?

23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.

The Lady saddled an ass.

Hasn’t she got better things to do with a dead son other than go visiting?

She told the servant to go as fast as possible unless she says otherwise.

She is in a hurry to visit the prophet.

That is the only urgency in the matter that she has shown.

24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.

She made the trip to Mount Carmel where Elisha was.

Elisha saw her coming and told his servant Gehazi to go meet her and ask If all was well with her husband, if all was well with her, and if all was well with the child.

The Lady’s answer to Gehazi was “IT IS WELL”!

She must have lost her mind with grief!

How can she say that it is well and back at her house, laying on the prophets bed, with the door closed, her son is dead,

25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.

When she came to where Elisha was she caught him by the feet!

This is the first outward sign that the Lady has allowed herself to give that there is an urgent and serious situation taking place.

Did she then “break down” and say “my son died?

Did she break down and cry uncontrollably?

No she did not!

She is still mindful of her words at this crucial moment.

Even though her soul is vexed within her, she retains her composure and is mindful of her words.

The Lord has not revealed to Elisha what has taken place.

27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

Remember the Lady’s words when Elisha told her she would have a son?

When Elisha told the Woman that she would have a son her answer was “do not lie to me”.

The Woman’s answer to Elisha was simply “did I not tell you not to deceive me”!

28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

If Elisha had deceived her then even though she might have had the son, the boy could die.

The woman is saying to Elisha that she believed as Elisha said, she would have a son.

When she asked Elisha if he had deceived her after all that revealed to Elisha the situation.

Elisha gave instructions to Gehazi and sent him to the child.

29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

Elisha and the Woman also went.

The Woman is mindful of her words!

30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

Gehazi went and did as instructed.

Gehazi then went and met them and said “the child did not “awake”!

Gehazi also is mindful of his words.

He did not say the child is dead!

He said that the child did not wake up!

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

Elisha, the man of God went in, shut the door, prayed unto the Lord.

32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord.

Elisha layed on the child, put his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, his hands on the child’s hands, stretched himself on the child.

The boy’s body warmed.

34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

Elisha walked around the house, stretched himself again on the child.

The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

Next time you sneeze don’t think I am catching a cold or the flu.

Say out loud “Wow!

“I’m catching healing”!

35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
KJV

The Lady received her son back alive!

We will continue next time.

The Shunammite Woman 3

We are not given much information about the Shunammite Woman and her husband.

The story starts out with Elisha passing by their house on the way to Shunem and the Lady inviting him to have something to eat.

Then, every time Elisha passed by their house he would stop and eat.

Then the Lady had a room built onto their house for Elisha to stay in when he passed by.

We are given no history of the Lady before that.

We learn a little more from Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

[Elisha passed to Shunem] This city was in the tribe of Issachar, to the south of the brook Kishon, and at the foot of Mount Tabor.

[Where was a great woman] In Pirkey Rab. Eliezer, this woman is said to have been the sister of Abishag, the Shunammite, well known in the history of David.

Instead of great woman, the Chaldee has, a woman fearing sin; the Arabic, a woman eminent for piety before God. This made her truly great.
(from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1996, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Woman had a knowledge of and devotion to God.

The Woman had faith!

How do we know that she had faith.

Because of the way she responded to an urgent and serious matter.

Because we know from scripture that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Rom 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV

The only way she could have faith is by hearing the word of God.

Remember another couple in scripture that had not a child?

A couple in which the woman was barren.

Remember Abraham and Sarah?

The Lord and two angels stopped by Abraham’s tent on the plains of Mamre.

They were on their way to observe and verify the moral condition of Sodom and Gomorrah.

That is another but also revealing story.

While at Abraham’s tent The Lord told Abraham and Sarah that He would return according to the time of life and that Sarah would have a son.
Gen 18:10
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. KJV

Abraham at the time was about 100 years old and Sarah not far behind at about 90, well past the age of child bearing.

Gen 18:11
Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. KJV

When Sarah heard this she laughed at the thought that an old woman like her should have a child.

Gen 18:12-15
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
KJV

Sarah laughed when she first heard, however it is evident that she repented and also believed what the Lord said.

What The Lord told Abraham and Sarah came to pass.

Gen 21:1-3
21:1 And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
KJV

We are told that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

Rom 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
KJV

Abraham believed what God had promised him!

Remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Abraham heard the word of God, or what God promised him, therefore faith “came”.

The promise is summed up in “I have made thee the father of many nations”.

Rom 4:17
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. KJV

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. That is a lot of decendents.

When God promise Abraham that, Abraham had no children.
Abraham had no hope according to the natural means of having children as his wife Sarah was barren.

When The Lord told them on the plains of Mamre that according to the time of life (about nine months) they would have a son they were both well past the age of natural child bearing.

What hope did they have in the natural of having a child?

Absolutely none!

No chance!

Not going to happen!

Except God promised!

Abraham believed God.

Abraham had faith in God!

Abraham believed what God had promised!

Abraham was not “limited” to hope in the natural way of being a father!

Abraham had the hope that can only come from a promise of God.

A God that does not lie!

Therefore Abraham believed not in natural hope, there was no hope there, he and Sarah both were too old!

Abraham believed what God promised and his hope was in what God said.

Rom 4:18-21
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
KJV

We will pick it up here next time.

Abraham

Abraham believed what God promised and his hope was in what God said.

Rom 4:18-21
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

We have another example of how faith lives!

Weak faith considers what is happening in the natural.

Weak faith considers the circumstances.

Weak faith considers the negatives one is facing.

Abraham was not weak in faith!

He did not consider that in the natural his body was “dead” or incapable of reproduction.

He did not consider the circumstance that he was about 100 years old!

He did not consider the fact that Sarah’s womb was not capable of reproduction!

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

Because Abraham was not weak in faith he did not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief!

Unbelief makes one stagger at the promise of God!

When one staggers they do not receive.

The Shunammite Woman did not stagger either.

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

When we stay strong in the face of everything screaming at us that we won’t receive what God promised and do not stagger we give glory to God!

Abraham did not stagger because he was fully persuaded.

The seed of God’s word had been planted in him firmly over a period of time.

From the first time God told him that he would have descendents until the son was born was about 25 years.

That is time to become fully persuaded and remain fully persuaded.

That is also more than enough time to stagger through unbelief.

The seed of the Word of God was firmly planted in Abraham!

Abraham received the harvest, a son!

Abraham was fully persuaded that what God had promised him, God was able also to perform!
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. KJV

The promise was the seed of the word of God that was planted in Abraham’s and Sarah’s hearts.

Thru a period of years that seed was thought about by Abraham and meditated on until he became fully persuaded that God does not lie and that God would do what He had promised!

We must also stay with the seed of God planted in our hearts until we, like Abraham, are fully persuaded!

We must also stay with the seed of God planted in our hearts until we, like Abraham, do not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief.

When we are fully persuaded unbelief cannot make us stagger.

The seed of the word of God that was planted in our hearts was

Ps 103:3
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; KJV

Isa 53:4
Surely he hath borne our griefs (sickness and disease), and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. KJV

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. KJV

Matt 8:17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. KJV

Before we can be like the example of the Shunammite Woman.

Before we can be like the example of Abrham.

We must like Abraham be fully persuaded!

We know when we are fully persuaded.

Some will honestly say, “I am not yet fully persuaded”.

The may ask “what do I do to become fully persuaded”?

We do not receive the full harvest by faith until after we are fully persuaded.

When the seed of the word of God is planted in our “good ground” spirits by hearing the word of God.

The seed starts the growing process.

We stay with the same word of God by study, by meditating on the word, by thinking about the word of God and most importantly by saying the word of God.

We must think healing and see our self, healed, not sick.

That begins to form in us the hope of healing.
Hope like Abraham had which is not a natural hope.
It is a “supernatural hope” brought about by God’s healing seed of His word.

It is the hope that because God said it He will also perform it.

We continue in study, reading, meditating thinking about the healing scriptures.

This make the hope for healing stronger and stronger as we are becoming fully persuaded.

As we fill our selves with the healing word of God, the healing word of God becomes abundant in our hearts(innermost being).

Therefore as Jesus said “out of the abundance of the heart(innermost being) the mouth speaks!

Matt 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. KJV

What is in our heart (innermost being) in abundance will come out!

We will speak it!

We will begin to speak God’s healing word about our self!

We begin to say things like “by His stripes I am healed”!

We begin to say things like “He is the God that forgives my iniquities and heals my diseases”!

We begin to say things like “Surely He bore my sickness and disease, therefore I do not have to bear them because He bore them for me.”

We begin to say things like “I am healed by His stripes”.

We even begin to say things like “Jesus, it is sure good to be healed”.

We say these things even though the fact is that we may be hurting!

We say these things even though the fact is that we feel sick, maybe even we feel very sick!

We do not rehearse the problem by confessing that we are hurting!

We do not rehearse the problem by confessing that we feel sick!

We do not rehearse the problem by confessing that we feel very sick.

We do not rehearse the problem by confessing that we have a fever!

We do not rehearse the problem by confessing that we are throwing up!

We confess or speak the reality of God’s word, firmly planted in us.

We confess “by His stripes I am healed”.

Remember the Shunammite Woman!

All She would say is “it is well”.

We will continue next time.

It's obvious that some are not fully persuaded yet!

It is well!

More on Isa 53

Young’s Literal Translation says this:

Isa 53:4
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains -- he hath carried them, And we -- we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. YLT

Are we saying that about ourselves?

The answer is yes!

We say continually that surely our sickness he has bore and our pains he has carried them.

We say “surely He has bore my sickness and carried my pains”.

Notice though what the scripture says just a few verses earlier.

Isa 53:1 asks us two questions.

Isa 53:1
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? KJV

The first question is who has believed our report?

The report being spoken of here specifically is what is revealed in Isa. 53.

The whole chapter, Isa. 53 is the Prophet Isaiah looking forward hundreds of years to what the Messiah would do.

The chapter reveals many things about what happened on the cross.

It takes the physical events that happen to Jesus and reveals the spiritual as well as physical results.

The part of the report we are looking at is Isa. 53:4.

Isa 53:4
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains -- he hath carried them, And we -- we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. YLT

We are focusing on “surely our sickness He has bore, and our pains He has carried.”

So the question is “who has believed our report?”

Who has believed our report?

The answer!

Good Ground People!

That is us!

OK, there are a few exceptions!

But they do not believe the report!

Those who do not believe the report are not Good Ground for the healing seed of God’s word!

Why are they not good ground for the healing seed of God’s word?

They do not believe the report!

They do not believe that “surely He bore my/our sickness and carried our pains.”

OK, remember the second question ask at the beginning of the chapter?

The first was “who has believed our report.”

The second was “to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”

Ok before we answer that questions lets look at the question!

The question mentioned the arm of the Lord.

Lets make sure we understand what the question is asking.

What does it mean “the arm of the Lord?”

We are not going to take the time for a study of the phrases but we will mention enough so we can see what is meant in Isa 53:1by the phrase “the arm of the Lord”.

In scripture there are several phrases that are used to describe the power of God.

The arm of the Lord is one of them.

The hand of the Lord or the hand of God is also used to describe the power of God.

The finger of God is also used to describe the power of God.

The use of each denotes the amount of power God used in different situations.

From the three uses one can see that the arm would show more power used than the hand and the hand, more power used than the finger.

If ya like you can study these out more on your own.

Or if a question is asked we will spend more time on the subject.

For now, what we want to understand “to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed” means.

For a quick comparison of the different levels of power, lets look at a few scriptures.

Jesus mad a statement that if He cast out devils there was no doubt that the kingdom of God is come upon you or has arrived.

Jesus said that it was with the finger of God that He cast out devils.

Luke 11:20
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. KJV

Have ya ever put your finger on your thumb and “flicked” an object and watched the object sail away thru the air?

When I read that I see Jesus telling a devil to go and the Holy Spirit puts His finger on His thumb and “flick”!

There goes another devil!

That tells us it does not take a lot of power to get rid of a pesky demon!

The arm of the Lord show a much greater use of power!

How much difference in strength do you exert when you “flick” an object away versus picking up an object, requiring the use of your arm.

There is a great difference in the power exerted.

When Isaiah saw by the Holy Spirit hundreds of years before it happened what Jesus would accomplish on the cross, Isaiah likened the power that would be required to accomplish it to God having to use His arm to do it.

This scripture helps us to picture it!

Eph 1:19-20

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, KJV

Mighty power was used to raise Christ from the dead!

This scripture tells us that same power is available to those who believe!

We are good ground and believe!

Therefore that mighty power is available to us!

IF.

If what?

What Isaiah said!

If we believe the report!

What report?

The report we are studying!

Isa 53:4
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains -- he hath carried them, And we -- we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. YLT

The report!

“Surely our sickness he has borne and our pains He has carried!”

Surely He has bore my sickness and carried my pain!”

Isa 53:1
53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
KJV

If we believe the report!

The power to be healed is available to us!

We will continue next time.

Isa 53

We have been considering Isa. 53.

Specifically we have looked at the following two verses.

Isa 53:1
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? KJV

Isa 53:4
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains -- he hath carried them, And we -- we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. YLT

We see from Isa. 53:1 that whoever believes the report the arm or power of the Lord is revealed.

The report is what Isa 53 reports to us.

We have focused on the physical healing that Isaiah saw in the spirit that Jesus would accomplish.

We have not covered all there is in these verses. First of all I do not know it all to cover.

We are only looking at the verses that have to do with receiving healing, there is much more that the chapter reveals.

What is written in the 53 chapter of Isaiah is what Isaiah saw take place in the spirit realm.

He saw Jesus baring our sickness and carrying our pain. That is what the 4th verse tells us. The 4th verse says.

Isa 53:4
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains -- he hath carried them, And we -- we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. YLT

Verse 5 reveals more to us about the result of Jesus having bore our sickness and carried our pain.

That result is that with His stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. KJV

Isaiah was looking forward several hundred years and seeing what was taking place in the spiritual realm.

The Holy Spirit was speaking thru Isaiah revealing what would take place in the future concerning the Messiah, Jesus.

Matthew recorded what happened also.

Matthew told us that Jesus took our infirmities and bare our sickness

Matthew confirmed what Isaiah spoke.

Isaiah spoke that He bore our sickness before it happened.

Matthew spoke and confirmed that He bore our sickness after He did it.

Matt 8:17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. KJV

Peter also spoke and confirmed and said “by whose stripes ye were healed”.

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. KJV

Peter confirmed what Isaiah said in Isa. 53:5

Isa 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. KJV

More on these stripes and what God Himself took a part in!

We will continue next time.

The scriptures we are studying are:

Isa 53:4
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains -- he hath carried them, And we -- we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. YLT

Isa 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. KJV

We also saw that those who believe the report are those to whom the arm or power of the Lord is revealed.

Remember Isaiah, looking forward several hundred years is seeing what is taking place in the spirit.

Matthew and Peter looking back at the cross confirmed what Isaiah prophecied.

Matt 8:17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. KJV

Peter also spoke and confirmed and said “by whose stripes ye were healed”.

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. KJV

It is the Holy Spirit that revealed to Isaiah what Jesus would do in the spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit that revealed to Matthew and Peter what Jesus did in the spirit.

Same Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit revealed to Isaiah that Jesus bore our sickness, carried our pain and by His stripes we are healed.

The Holy Spirit revealed to Matthew that Jesus bore our sickness.

The Holy Spirit revealed to Peter that by the stripes of Jesus we were healed.

Peter said were because we were healed when Jesus received the stripes.

If we were healed, then we are healed and we can say correctly by his stripes I am healed!

Lets identify the stripes Isaiah is seeing.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was scourged.

Matt 27:26
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. KJV

The word translated “scourged” is NT:5417.

1. phragelloo NT:5417 (akin to A: Latin, flagello; Eng., "flagellate"), is the word used in Matt 27:26, and Mark 15:15, of the "scourging" endured by Christ and administered by the order of Pilate. Under the Roman method of "scourging," the person was stripped and tied in a bending posture to a pillar, or stretched on a frame. The "scourge" was made of leather thongs, weighted with sharp pieces of bone or lead, which tore the flesh of both the back and the breast (cf. Ps 22:17). Eusebius (Chr.) records his having witnessed the suffering of martyrs who died under this treatment.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

Vine’s tells us that the “scourge” or whip was made of leather thongs.

That’s not all!

The leather thongs were weighted with sharp pieces of bone or lead.

Those sharp pieces of bone or lead was designed to tear the flesh when the person was whipped.

Both the back and the breast of the person being scourged was torn by these weighted pieces of bone or lead.

The movie “The Passion” does an excellent job of showing the suffering Jesus endured as He was scourged.

He was beaten severely without mercy!

The Bible and the movie gives us a picture of what Jesus suffered physically for us.

The real work though was completed in the spirit realm.

Stay with me now!

Remember that what Isaiah saw was in the spirit.

Remember when Jesus was in the garden with His disciples.

Luke 22:39-47

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Jesus with drew from them a ways, kneeled down and prayed.

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

Jesus prayed that if God was willing that “this cup” would be removed from Him.

There is something that Jesus is facing that He is resisting.

He know what He is facing.

He know that He will be scourged and crucified.

He knows that scourging alone has killed people and will be painful and hard to bear.
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Could this physical suffering be what He is resisting?

Others have been scourged!

Others have been crucified!

Is Jesus as bad as it is just doing all this praying over that?

Lets look at what He went thru in the garden in more detail.

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

An angel actually came down from heaven and strengthened Him!

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

Brothers and Sisters, I submit to you there is much more going on here than comes with just reading about the event.

We need to do some study to understand what is happening here.

Jesus was in “an agony”!

The word translated “an agony” is NT:74 and means a state of great mental and emotional grief and anxiety.

25.283 NT:74
a state of great mental and emotional grief and anxiety - 'anguish, intense sorrow.'
'in anguish he prayed even more fervently' Luke 22:44.
(from Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. Copyright © 1988 United Bible Societies, New York. Used by permission.)

Jesus for some reason was in such an intense state of agony that as He prayed more earnestly, he sweated!

His agony was so intense that He sweated “great drops of blood”!

His anguish was so intense that as He sweated great drops of blood, He fell to the ground!

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
KJV

What is it that causes this much anguish? What is it that causes Jesus to ask God to remove from Him what He is facing?

What is so repulsive to Jesus that caused Him to sweat great drops of blood in agony and intense anguish?

We will continue next time.

What is it that causes this much anguish? What is it that causes Jesus to ask God to remove from Him what He is facing?

What is so repulsive to Jesus that caused Him to sweat great drops of blood in agony and intense anguish?

Lets continue with another verse that will help us understand what Jesus is resisting.

Think about what this verses say.

Isa 53:6-11

Verse 6 reveals to us that the Lord laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all.

Remember, Isaiah is seeing into the spirit what is happening to Jesus on the Cross.

In verse 6 Isaiah saw the Lord God lay on Jesus the iniquity of us all.

The word translated “iniquity” is OT:5771 and means moral evil or sin.

`avon (aw-vone'); or `avown (2 Kings 7:9; Ps 51:5 [OT:7]) (aw-vone'); from OT:5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:

KJV - fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon and BDB Hebrew Lexicon both say this.

5771
`avon or `avown (2 Kings 7:9; Ps 51:5 [7]) —

perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity

a) iniquity
b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

Notice Thayer’s and BDB also includes the guilt of iniquity or sin as well as the consequence or or punishment for sin(iniquity).

Here Isaiah is seeing that Jesus took our sin as well as our sickness, disease and pain.

The Holy Spirit reveals here through Isaiah that God laid on Jesus the sin, the guilt of sin, as well as the punishment for sin.

Since we are studying physical healing we will not take the time to get into more detail about the “sin” part that was laid on Jesus except to bring one more scripture to your remembrance.

From the NT remember this scripture?

2 Cor 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. KJV

2 Cor 5:21 states the fact that Jesus was made sin.

Jesus never sinned!

God made Him to be sin.

Big difference.

Jesus being made sin is when God as Isaiah said “laid” on Him the iniquity(sin) of us all.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

We will not try to cover verse 7 in depth either. When one writes everything it takes much more space and time than speaking it.

That does limit what we share because of the time and space thing for writing everything out.

We will bring out this point with scripture.

One reason Jesus said very little was because of the power of His words because He was innocent.

He said He could bring down legions of angels but did not.

Look at what happened when He just said just three words!

Jesus said “I am he” the soldiers that had come to take him fell to the ground!

John 18:4-6

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
KJV

Perhaps we can get into more of this later!

It is all good!

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Verse 8 again states that for the people He was stricken.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

This verse is hard at first to understand.

It says that it pleased the Lord God to bruise him!

Why would it please God to bruise Jesus?

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

It pleased God to bruise Jesus because God saw the results!

God, in bruising Jesus saw mankind justified thru the suffering of Jesus.

Jesus being bruised satisfied the righteous requirement for justice. Jesus paid the penalty in full.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
KJV

That is why verse 10 said that God was pleased!

Stay with me.

We will continue next time.

Remember we are looking at what caused Jesus to be in agony to the extreme point that He sweated great drops of blood.

Everytime that Roman Soldier is striking Jesus!

So does God!

God strikes Jesus in the spirit.

The soldiers striking Jesus accomplished the physical stripes.

God striking Jesus accomplished our redemption, spirit soul and body.

Jesus bore our sin, sickness, and pain thoroughly paying the price in full for us.

Isa 53:5
And he is pierced for our transgressions, Bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement of our peace [is] on him, And by his bruise there is healing to us. YLT

Jesus made remission of sins and physical healing available to whosoever will.

Whosoever will what?

Whosoever will believe the report!

To who ever believes the report the power of the Lord is revealed to save and to heal.

Now, remember Jesus in the garden praying and in agony?

In agony so extreme that He sweated great drops of blood.

Jesus was not troubled over the physical things He would suffer!

He was in agony over the things He would suffer in the spiritual realm.

He was in agony and sweating blood over the consequences of bearing our sin.

He was in agony and sweating blood over the consequences of bearing our sickness and pain.

God made Jesus to be sin for us. He took our place and paid our price. So we could be redeemed.

Jesus bore our sickness and pain so we could be healed by His stripes.

God bruised Jesus for us so that we could be healed!

Imagine the effects on Jesus of Him being made sin and bearing all sickness and pain!

We can not really imagine it all, but we can understand enough to realize some of its tremendous impact upon Jesus.

Being made sin and bearing all of mankind’s sickness and pain is what Jesus was resisting.

He was resisting sin itself, the consequences of taking all sin, all sickness, all pain, at one time, upon Himself.

Isa. 52:14 describes Jesus’ appearance as He bore and carried all sin, sickness and pain for us.

Scripture reveals to us through Isaiah that Jesus’ whole appearance was marred more than any man.

Isa 52:14
As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: KJV

The TEV says that He was so disfigured that he hardly looked human!

Isa 52:14
Many people were shocked when they saw him; he was so disfigured that he hardly looked human. TEV

The consequences of taking all sin, all sickness, all pain, at one time, upon Himself, made Him so disfigured that Jesus hardly looked human!

Why was this not recorded in the Gospels?

That is why God turned out the lights!

Matt 27:45
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. KJV

For about three hours everything went dark!

All did not see what was happening to Jesus on the cross.

God turned the lights out.

Scripture says that Jesus bore our sickness and carried our pain.

We have seen that!

If Jesus bore our sickness, and scripture says He did.

Does it make any sense for us to continue bearing sickness?

If Jesus carried our pain and scripture says He did.

Does it make any sense for us to continue carrying pain?

Of course not!

We refuse to bear sickness and carry pain because He bore and carried it for us.

Therefore by His stripes we are healed.

It is personal.

Each can say “by His stripes I am healed.”

Jesus bore my sickness so I don’t.

Jesus carried my pain, so I don’t.

Even though it for everyone.

Some will insist on bearing sickness!

Some will insist on carrying pain!

Why?

They do not believe!

What do they not believe?

The report!

Isa 53:1
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? KJV

Only to those who believe the report is the power of God revealed!

The YLT says that to those who give credence to what they hear is the power of God revealed!

Isa 53:1
Who hath given credence to that which we heard? And the arm of Jehovah, On whom hath it been revealed? YLT

Believe the report!

Give credence to what you have heard!

Be healed in Jesus Name by His stripes!

We will continue next time.

Remember the Shunammite Woman?

We see in her behavior in a critical and serious situation how faith responds for victory.

She treated the Prophet of God with kindness, and built for him a place to stay when he passed by.

Elisha ask what he could do for her.

Elisha’s servant Gehazi told Elisha that she had no child and that her husband was old.

The Prophet of God, Elisha, told the woman that she would have a son.

Remember what the Shunammite Woman replied?

2 Kings 4:16
"About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!" NIV

She replied Don’t mislead your servant, O man of God!

She heard the Prophet of God say that she would have a son.

She told the Prophet not to lie to her.

The Prophet did not say he lied, therefore she took the Prophet’s word as God’s word and received it.

Just as Elisha had told her she had a son.

Her son went out one day when he was older fell, hit his head seriously injured.

They carried the boy to his mother and she held him until he died.

Remember she had the Prophet’s word, which was God’s Word that she would have a son.

If one has a son they have a son. If the son dies they do not have a son any longer.

The Shunammite woman did not waver in her belief of God’s Word that she would have a son.

She went to the Prophet, not telling anyone what had happened.

She even told her husband “it is well”.

The Prophet saw her coming and sent Gehazi to meet her and ask.

2 Kings 4:26
Run to meet her and ask her, 'Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?'" "Everything is all right," she said. NIV

She replied “Everything is all right.”

Her son was laying dead on the bed at her house.

She is telling people including her husband “it is well” and “everything is all right.”

She is putting her faith in God’s Word spoken by the Prophet of God!

The word she had was that she would have a son.

She verified that word when she ask the Prophet if he was misleading her!

The Prophet did not say anything different.

She had faith in what God said and acted like it.

No panic.

No tears.

No grief.

No feeling sorry for herself because of what she was going through.

She stayed steady and believed God’s word until she received her son back to life again.

Read the story again and pay close attention how she guarded her words.

Learning from God, she called those things that be not as though they were.

Rom 4:17
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. KJV

She did not call those things that be as though they were.

She did not call those things that be as though they were not.

Have to think on those to see the difference.

She did not call the boy dead.

She called him well when she said “it is well”!

She called him alive and not dead when she replied to the Prophet that every thing was all right.

Heb 11:35a
Women received their dead raised to life again: KJV

She had God’s Word delivered by the Prophet.

We have God’s Word written for our benefit.

We have been studying God’s Word!

We learned it is a seed which when planted in good ground, our spirit will grow and produce after it’s own kind.

The kind of seed from God’s Word we are studying is healing seed.

Just as the Shunammite Woman was mindful of her words, so must we be mindful of our words!

When we are believing God’s Word for healing we must speak as she spoke calling those things that be not as though they were.
We do not speak the fact that we have sickness in our body just as she did not speak the fact that her son was dead.

We speak the reality of God’s Word that says “He bore my sickness and carried my pain”.

We speak the reality of God’s Word that says “By His stripes, I am healed”!

That is why Jesus told us to have faith in God!

Mark 11:22
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. KJV

The Shunammite Woman had a “mountain” in her life.

Her son had died!

That is a “mountain” to over come!

That is why Jesus told us that when we have a “mountain” in our life that what we believe in our heart(innermost being) and not doubt that we will have what we say.

Mark 11:23
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. KJV

The Shunammite Woman did not doubt in her innermost being, but believed that those things which she said would determine what she would have.

Jesus told us that when we ask God for something to believe we receive them when we ask and we would have them.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. KJV

The Shunammite Woman desired she had a son, believed she had a son and she did!

We must do the same thing in our life of faith!

A life of faith is a lifestyle in which we are mindful of what God’s Word says!

We are mindful not to contradict what God says with what we say!

We will continue next time.

Jesus told us a parable about a sower.

A parable is an illustration.

Jesus starts the illustration by saying that a sower went out to sow or plant seeds.

Mark 4:1
Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: KJV

The sower sowed seeds.

The seed is the word of God.

Luke 8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. KJV

The sower sows or plants the word of God which is a seed!

Mark 4:10
The sower soweth the word. KJV

Jesus continues the illustration by revealing to us what happened to the seed.

We learned there are “Wayside People” that do not chose to hear what is being taught.

Therefore they do not understand what is being taught.

Thus allowing the devil to come and steal the seed planted immediately.

“Wayside People” receive nothing from God.

We learned that “Stony Ground” people and “Thorn People” allowed other things to enter in which offended them for the word’s sake or choked the word, bringing no fruit to perfection.

We learned that “Good Ground” People received the word and brought forth fruit with patience.

“Good Ground People” bring forth fruit with patience because they have an honest and good heart and keep the word.

Keeping the word means they are doers of the word not hearers only.

Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. KJV

“Good Ground People” bring forth fruit with patience because they hear and receive the word.

Mark 4:16
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. KJV

“Good Ground People” bring forth fruit with patience because they hear the word and understand it.

Matt 13:21
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. KJV

Jesus also gave us this illustration.

Mark 4:26
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; KJV

The sower “cast” or sows his seed.

The seed is the word of God.

The sower sows the word.

The rest of the illustration is about “Good Ground People”.

Because the seed was sown into good ground that tells us that the seed was sown at the right time of year.

The ground was the optimum temperature for the seed sown.

The ground was properly prepared.

Summed up means that all conditions were right for the ground to receive and grow the seed.

“Good Ground People” because they:

Have an honest and good heart and keep/do the word.

Hear and receive the word, understand it.

That makes all conditions right for the heart of the “Good Ground People” to receive and grow the seed.

The sower sows his seed and then goes about life as usual.

Mark 4:27
And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. KJV

The sower plants seed in his garden or field.

He goes about life as usual.

He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. Yet he does not know how it happens.

The seed of the word of God is planted in our hearts. We sleep at night.

We are up and about during the day.

All that while the seed of the word of God is sprouting and growing in our heart(spirit).

We do not understand how the word grows in our hearts just as we do not understand all about how a natural seed sprouts and grows.

The ground does what God designed it to do and grows the seed.

The good ground of our hearts does what God designed it to do and grows the seed of the word of God.

Mark 4:28
For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. KJV

Natural seed, depending on the type of seed sown can take almost three and a half (3 ½) months or more for harvest.

Many Christians even though they are “Good Ground People” get discouraged and give up if they do not see a harvest in a couple of days.





Remember it takes patience!

Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. KJV

Those without patience are like a man that planted seed.

Then a few days later got discouraged because he did not see any sprouts yet, much less a harvest.

So he went out and dug up the seed to try and see if anything was happening.

Do not be discouraged!

Stay patient and experience the harvest!

We will continue next time.

Physical healing is probably the number one need for more Christians than anything else.

We have seen that physical healing is included in the work of Jesus “on the Cross”.

However it is not automatic.

It is received by faith.

We have spent considerable time on the “healing seed” of the word of God.

If you are believing in faith for you healing stay steady!

Continue reading, meditating, studying, thinking about, saying, saying, saying, saying the healing scriptures.

In the event you should have questions don’t be shy!

Ask the question.

If I can not give a satisfactory answer there are many more on this forum that can.

What if your need is not a physical one?

What if your need is “low self esteem”?

Or financial, or a relationship need.

What if ya just desire to be and know what Jesus did for you?

Remember Jesus said the seed is the word of God.

Luke 8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. KJV

Jesus included all of the word of God as seed.

He did not limit the word of God being seed to just one subject.

There is seed of the word of God for being saved.

There is seed of the word of God for healing.

There is seed of the word of God for over coming things.

There is seed of the word of God that enables us to walk in love.

There is seed of the word of God that will produce in us everything that we are “In Christ”.

There is seed of the word of God for “growing” us spiritually.

There is seed of the word of God for wisdom.

There is seed of the word of God for understanding.

There is seed of the word of God for every need that a person can have.

The process for all the seed of the word of God is the same for everything.

The same process that saves, also heals.

The same process that heals, also delivers.

The same process that delivers also makes safe.

The same process that makes us safe, also rescues.

What is that process?

The same process we have learned.

The process begins with planting the word.

Mark 4:12
The sower soweth the word. KJV

Remember Jesus revealed a mystery, which is a secret, of the kingdom of God.

Jesus also clearly said that the mysteries/secrets of the kingdom of God belongs to us (born again ones).

Mark 4:11
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: KJV

Jesus also said that the mystery He was about to reveal was the basis of all parables.

If one does not understand this parable one will not understand how the kingdom of God “works”.

Mark 4:13
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? KJV

If one does not understand how the kingdom of God works or operates they cannot partake in the benefits of the Kingdom they live in.

The kingdom of God functions the same as a garden.

The seed must be planted in the earth.

In the Kingdom the seed must be planted in our hearts (innermost being), which is our spirit.

We must then avoid becoming the “Stony Ground People” and/or the “Thorn People” that the parable or illustration describes.

“Good Ground People” are those that like Abraham do not stagger at the promise(s) of God.

Rom 4:20-21
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. KJV

“Good Ground People” stay strong in faith.

When we stay strong in faith we give glory to God.

“Good Ground People” become fully persuaded that God performs what He promises.

“Good Ground People” are not lazy!

They do not give up!

They do not cave in!

They do not quit!

“Good Ground People” are the only ones who through faith and patient endurance inherit the promises!

Heb 6:12
that ye may not become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patient endurance are inheriting the promises. YLT

Inheriting the promises and reaping a harvest from seed sown are the same!

Stay patient!

Continue in His Word!

Inherit the promise(s).

Reap the harvest!

I know some of you have questions.

Go ahead and ask them.

We will continue next time.

Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.

The kingdom of heaven is the same as the kingdom of God.

Matthew used the term" kingdom of heaven. All 32 references to the kingdom of heaven are in the Book of Matthew.

Matt 13:31-32
31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. KJV

The man or the sower took the mustard seed and sowed it in his field.

Matt 13:31-33
31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

We know that the seed is the word of God and that the sower, which is us, sows the seed of the word of God(Heaven).

When Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed.

He is telling us that the kingdom of God (heaven) works or operates like a seed.

Jesus also added that a man took the mustard seed and sowed (planted) it in his field.

The seed is the word of God and was planted in “his field”

The word of God is sown (planted) in our heart.

Then Jesus said that the mustard seed is the least of all seeds.

32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds:

Just a small amount of the word of God when planted in a good and honest heart (Good Ground People) can produce a harvest in that persons life.

but when it is grown,

When the seed of the word of God is planted in “Good Ground People” it grows up.

it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree,

When the mustard seed grows up.

Even though the mustard seed is the smallest of seeds.

The mustard seed grows up and becomes the greatest among herbs.

The mustard seed actually when grown becomes a tree.

When the word of God is planted in “Good Ground People” it can grow up and become great in that person.

The word of God can even grow up and be like a tree.

so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

The “birds of the air” are other people that “Good Ground People” can help.

“Good Ground People” can help because the seed of the word of God, which was planted in their heart grew up and produced so much of a harvest that some “Good Ground People” have much left over to give.

People who are poor and in need in all areas can come to “Good Ground People” and receive help.


Remember verse 23 in Matthew about those that receive seed into good ground?

Matt 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. KJV

Only those who receive seed (the word of God) into good ground, by hearing and understanding the word of God, bears fruit.

Different amounts of fruit are produced by “Good Ground People”

Some produce thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, some hundredfold.

The more “fruit” produced in our life the more we can help other.

We can help others first by sharing with them how the seed of the word of God works so they to can be “Good Ground People”.

Next Time!

What is on of the biggest hindrances to being continual “Good Ground People?”

Consider this possibility.

Worry!

Worry is what slows down many “Good Ground People” delaying their harvest.

Jesus had some things to say about worry.

Mt. 6:24-34

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. KJV

NT:3126 Word is “mammon”.
(an Aramaic word): wealth and riches, with a strongly negative connotation - 'worldly wealth, riches.
(from Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. Copyright © 1988 United Bible Societies, New York. Used by permission.)

A strongly negative connotation. The negative is not toward wealth and riches! God does not mind for His children to have wealth and riches!

The Bible says Prov 10:22
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. KJV

OT:6238 Word is “maketh rich”
to be rich, to become rich or wealthy, to enrich, to make rich; to gain riches;
(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

OT:4620 Word is “sorrow”
ma`atsebah — a place of pain, a place of grief
The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says “terror”
(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

Back to The Word “Mammon”
Lets get a little closer to what is being said here.

NT:3126
"that which is to be trusted";
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

Mt. 6:24 The word was used to denote wealth. The meaning is, ye cannot serve the true God, and at the same time be supremely engaged in obtaining the riches of this world. One must interfere with the other.
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Who are we serving in reality? Are we supremely engaged in obtaining the riches of this world?
OR:
Are we supremely engaged in seeking God?

Matt 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? KJV

What does He mean “take no thought”? I’ve got to think about what I am going to eat, drink wear!
That’s true! One says “what do you want to eat for dinner today”? Other one says “I don’t care what do you want to eat, etc. Someone has to make a decision!

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Get the right focus from this verse, the focus is on “your heavenly Father feeds them(provides for them).
However the avenues of provision are different. Birds do not sow nor reap nor gather, but men do!
God provides the seed and the seasons to sow, reap. The rains to water and the ground to grow.
Man sows seed that God provided, reaps and gathers, all with what God provided or gave.
Man has greater responsibility in life and its issues than birds.
OK, that is great for the farmer. I don’t own a farm, don’t even have room for a garden. Guess I’m left out!
God will provide for you, how you might ask. We are getting there! Hold on!
So, that scripture tells us that we are better than the birds and God has provided for us as well.

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

What does He mean by “taking thought?”

NT:3309 Word is “by taking thought”

NT:3309 is a derivative of word (me/rimna) which means worry, The word “by taking thought” means to have an anxious concern, based on apprehension about possible danger or misfortune - 'to be worried about, to be anxious about.'
(from Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. Copyright © 1988 United Bible Societies, New York. Used by permission.)

The “b” part of the verse “can add one cubit unto his stature means “can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it?”
(From the same source as above)

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Little understanding of faith)

Matt 8:10
When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (Great understanding of Faith). KJV

Listen! God spends all this effort, wisdom, power, know how, Just to create a flower, beautiful as it is. Even though all that effort and smarts was put into it. It isn’t going to last, it is cast into the oven.
Grass of the field includes wild flowers.

[Is cast into the oven] The Jews had different modes of baking. In early times they frequently baked in the sand, warmed with the heat of the sun. They constructed, also, movable ovens made of clay, brick, or plates of iron. But the most common kind, and the one here probably referred to, was made by excavating the ground 2 ½ feet in diameter, and from 5 to 6 feet deep. This kind of oven still exists in Persia. The bottom was paved with stones. It was heated by putting wood or dry grass into the oven, and, when heated, the ashes were removed and the bread was placed on the heated stones. Frequently, however, the oven was an earthen vessel without a bottom, about 3 feet high, smeared outside and inside with clay, and placed upon a frame or support. Fire was made within or below it. When the sides were sufficiently heated, thin patches of dough were spread on the inside, and the top was covered, without removing the fire as in the other cases, and the bread was quickly baked.
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

If the oven doesn’t get it the withering heat of the sun will.

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

OK, now we know this is worrying. I know that I have “taken thought” when I start “saying”. I know that I have started worrying when I start saying. Based on the definitions we studied and their use. I know that I have started worrying when I start speaking about my anxious concern, which is based on apprehension about possible danger or misfortune – I’m worried about it.
Can you see that?
So, we have “by taking thought” understood.

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

What things? The needs of life. Food, drink, clothing, shelter.
Now! What else are “basic” needs of life today. Job, car, gas.

OK, Here comes the BIG one, Now He is going to tell us how to get all these needs taken care of.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. KJV

So, the question is Who are we going to put our confidence in to provide house, food, drink, clothes?
God? Or Money?

Seeking the kingdom of God is seeking how the kingdom of God operates.

When one learns how the kingdom operates all those things are added to you.

How does the kingdom operate?

Like a garden. The sower sows the seed.

The seed is the word of God.

The sower sows the word.

Next time.