is continue along (Matthew 13-15)

Jesus teaches about the Kingdom using parables, and my first question is why.  The disciples don’t understand and have to receive explanations.  In fact they ask Jesus why he uses parables and Jesus says “The knowledge about the Kingdom of Heaven has been given to you and not to them ... they look but do not see and listen but do not hear.”  Is Jesus purposely using code to give some people a message while denying it to others?  And why is he doing that?

And I am not even sure of the message.  At least twice, he explains that at the end of time the angels will gather up the good people who will be rewarded while the evil people will be thrown into the fiery furnace where they will cry and gnash their teeth.  But there really isn’t any clear explanation of what a person has to do to get into the Kingdom.  Clearly sinning (whatever that means) will deny you entry but what should a person do?  Does a person just have to lead a good life – compassionate, forgiving, generous – or is there some extra element that would deny the good Jew, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, even atheist entry.

Too much for me to figure.

Then there is the interesting scene where the people of Nazareth reject Jesus wondering where he gets this authority when he is just the simple son of Joseph, the carpenter and Mary.   This intrigues me.  What did people know of Jesus as a child?  What did people know of Mary’s conception?  Clearly they are not impressed with Jesus, so when did the story of his birth become public?

John the Baptist is imprisoned.  Herod was upset at John for criticizing his marriage to his brother’s wife, but was afraid to be too harsh because he feared a negative response from the Jewish community who saw John as a prophet.  However, after promising his stepdaughter anything she wanted for dancing at his birthday, Herod had John executed when she asked for his head.

There are more miracles.  

 

Jesus feeds 5000 people with five loaves and two fish and later on feeds 4000 more with seven loaves and a few small fish.

Jesus walks on water and when Peter tries and begins to sink, Jesus asks why he has so little faith.

Jesus continues to heal people particularly a woman who has great faith.  (Is faith all that is required?)

Poor Peter gets nailed again when he asks for an explanation of a parable and Jesus more or less criticizes him for his lack of understanding.  

But the parable is an interesting one.  Jesus is talking about what is clean and unclean.  He says what goes in your mouth doesn’t matter as much as what comes out of the mouth which comes from the heart.  Unclean things are evil thoughts which lead to murder, adultery, robbery, lying, slander and other immoral acts.   At least now, I have a clearer idea of what not to do.