The picture presented in this parable is that of an enemy sowing a kind of grass-like vegetation that resembles the real deal. The first thing that comes to mind with this parable is the similarity between wheat and weeds-often translated as darnel or tares. In verse 24, Jesus tells the parable of the Weeds. On today’s Bible Answer Man broadcast (10/20/21), Hank picks back up in Chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus tells several parables. Only Christ and His Church ultimately lead us back to the garden-back to the very fellowship with God that we were created to enjoy. All other philosophies, religions, and worldviews are vain. To find it is to find Christ and the Church. It did not arrive as longed for by the Jews, rather it arrived secretly as leaven, inconspicuously like a mustard seed, or hidden like treasure in a field. Jesus is the embodiment of the kingdom of heaven. A reality that will impact the very structure of the Roman Empire and ultimately the world. Though the power of the yeast may not be apparent to the naked eye, it produces a mysterious reality. Here Jesus makes plain that the power of His rule may be hidden, but nonetheless produces enormous effects. Following the parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus told His listeners yet another parable-a parable of immense profundity encapsulated in a single sentence: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Matthew 13:33 NIV). On today’s Bible Answer Man broadcast (10/21/21), Hank continues teaching through chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel. One lesson to take away from this miracle is that though what we have to give is relatively small in light of the vast needs encompassed by world hunger, when we give what we have, what we can, Jesus can take our small offerings and multiply them in ways that boggle the mind, much as He in this instance boggled the minds of His disciples. And when they had eaten their fill, there were yet twelve basketfuls left over. Thus, in the midst of doing miracles of healing, Jesus miraculously feeds a vast multitude. After being brought to Him, Jesus gives thanks and miraculously proceeds to supply food to some five thousand men in addition to all the women and children present. This despite the fact that among the thousands gathered, only five loaves and two fish could be found. Instead of turning the people away, He simply tells the disciples to give them something to eat. Once again, Jesus turns this spectacle into a teaching opportunity. As it was getting late, the disciples asked Jesus to send the crowd away so that they could buy themselves food. Jesus began to heal the sick that surrounded Him and in the process, build faith in those who are in training as His disciples. Upon hearing of His dearly beloved forerunner’s fate, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place and we see His compassion for those who followed Him there. And to do so irrespective of the consequences. Matthew’s account is an occasion for introspection, for we like John the Baptist have been called to stand against wickedness. Not only is he thrown into prison, but now he suffers the horrendous fate of a beheading. Reading the opening verses of Matthew 14 is a stark reminder of what happens when the forerunner of Christ-John the Baptist-takes a stand against wickedness. On today’s Bible Answer Man broadcast (10/22/21), Hank resumes teaching through the Gospel of Matthew, beginning chapter 14.