Matthew 13 and 14

Halfway through Matthew already!

Chapter 13

I've always wondered why some people just seem to naturally gravitate toward the gospel or the church.  And others just don't have a clue and don't have any interest, why some sense the importance of it and others don't see it.  The Lord here says it's a condition of the heart and mind.  And yet if they would just open their hearts and minds, he would heal them.

Here is the topic of each parable and what they can mean:

Sower #1 - missionary work - who accepts or rejects the gospel and why

Sower #2 - missionary work and how the Lord allows evil in the midst of good until his coming, tares are noxious weeds that look just like wheat.

Mustard Seed - The greatest things can come from the smallest elements. Joseph Smith said we can compare the mustard seed to the church.  It started so small, but will fill the world.  He also said you could compare it to the Bookof Mormon.

Leaven - Elder McConkie says this applies to the growth of faith and testimony in the hearts of men.  Joseph Smith the church has taken it's rise from a little leaven that was put into the three witnesses.

Hidden Treasure and Pearl - Almost by accident, someone finds the gospel and is willing to give up all else because of its value.  Nothing in the world can compare to it.

Gospel Net - Missionary work brings all types of people into the church, but not all will reach the celestial kingdom

Chapter 14

John was beheaded because he told how Herod's marriage to Herodias wasn't legal so Herodias wanted John killed.  The moral is, don't criticize a woman!  Just kidding.

I think the feeding of the multitude is a lesson in how the Lord can make great things out of the small.  Look at the humble beginnings of our latter day prophets and they became.  He can do the same with each of us.

And as you probably know, the key to the story of the Lord walking on with Peter is in verse 29.  Peter walked on the water.  It tells us what kind of man he was.