Rumination Journal

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, the workers pulled the net ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw away the bad. “So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous, and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” “Yes,” they answered. Then Jesus told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of their storeroom treasures both new and old.” (See Matthew 13:47-52) -

Jesus spoke more parables to the crowds: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found the treasure, he hid it again, and in his joy, he went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.” (See Matthew 13:44-46) -

Jesus told the crowds still another parable: “To what can I compare the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” (See Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21) (Editor's Note: "Kingdom of...": In these series of parables of Jesus on the kingdom of God, the Gospel of Matthew uses the term "kingdom of heaven" while the Gospels of Mark and Luke use the term "kingdom of God." In these passages, the two terms are the same and the term which is used is at the preference of the writer.) -

Jesus put before the crowds another parable. He asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? With what parable shall I present it? It is like a mustard seed that a man plants in his garden. Although it is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth, it grows into the largest of all garden plants, becoming a tree and putting forth great branches, so that the birds of the air come and nest in the shade of its branches.” (See Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19) (Editor's Note: "Kingdom of...": In these series of parables of Jesus on the kingdom of God, the Gospel of Matthew uses the term "kingdom of heaven" while the Gospels of Mark and Luke use the term "kingdom of God." In these passages, the two terms are the same and the term which is used is at the preference of the writer.) -

Jesus told the crowds another parable about the kingdom of God: “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. Each night and day he sleeps and rises, and the seed sprouts and grows, although how it does this, he does not know. All by itself, the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then the grain ripens within the head. And when the grain is ripe, the man swings the sickle to reap, because the time for the harvest has come.” (See Mark 4:26-29) (Editor's Note: "Kingdom of...": In these series of parables of Jesus on the kingdom of God, the Gospel of Matthew uses the term "kingdom of heaven" while the Gospels of Mark and Luke use the term "kingdom of God." In these passages, the two terms are the same and the term which is used is at the preference of the writer.) -

(In observance of the season of Lent) Out of the depths, I cry to You, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy. If You, O LORD, kept a record of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand? But with You, there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered. I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait. And in His word, I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is loving devotion. And with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all iniquity. (See Psalm 130) -

(In observance of the season of Lent) I am the one who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness instead of light. Indeed, He keeps turning His hand against me all day long. He has worn away my flesh and skin; He has shattered my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me dwell in darkness like those dead for ages.  He has walled me in so I cannot escape; He has weighed me down with chains. Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer. He has barred my ways with cut stones; He has made my paths crooked. He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush. He forced me off my path and tore me to pieces; He left me without help. He bent His bow and set me as the target for His arrow. He pierced my kidneys with His arrows. I am a laughingstock to all my people; they mock me in song all day long. He has filled me with bitterness; He has intoxicated me with wormwood...