A Study of the commands from our Lord, Jesus the Christ

Week 14, February 29th

Last week, we examined the command "Ask" from both Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB) and Luke 11:9-10 (NASB). This week, the tour stop is the command "Seek". Once again our LORD, Jesus places no limits on this command. You, as a disciple of Jesus, are commanded to "seek". And the reward is: you will find.

Jesus also gives us, His disciples, a priority of what to "seek". In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands us to "seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness" (see Matthew 6:33 (NASB) ). In Luke 12:31 (NASB) the command is to "seek His Kingdom".

So what is His Kingdom? What are we supposed to be "seeking" first?

The phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" is used 31 times in the New Testament (see "Kingdom of Heaven" word search ). Included in that list, we are told:
- the "Kingdom of Heaven" is at hand (see Matthew 3:2 (NASB))
- the "Kingdom of Heaven" will be inherited by the poor (see Matthew 5:3 (NASB))
- the mystery of "Kingdom of Heaven" will be revealed to His disciples (see Matthew 13:11 (NASB))
- the "Kingdom of Heaven" may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field (see Matthew 13:24 (NASB))
- the "Kingdom of Heaven" is like a treasure hidden in the field, (see Matthew 13:44 (NASB))
- the "Kingdom of Heaven" may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves (see Matthew 18:23 (NASB))
- the "Kingdom of Heaven" may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. (see Matthew 22:2 (NASB))
- the "Kingdom of Heaven" will be comparable to ten virgins (see Matthew 25:1 (NASB))

I confess it is hard to understand what Jesus is trying to describes when He uses parables. Fortunately, Jesus tells his disciples what one of parables mean. And what better teacher to describe the "Kingdom of Heaven" than to listen to how the King describes His Kingdom.

In the parable of the wheat and the tares (read Matthew 13:24-30 (NASB) , Jesus tells of a man who sowed good seed in his field but an enemy came and sowed "tares" along side the good seed. The explanation of the man, the field, and the seed is found in Matthew 13:37-43 (NASB).

The final verse in Matthew 13:43 states: "He who has ears, let him hear." This phrase reminds me to tell you once again that you are to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:10-11 (NASB) who "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."

If you are to find what you are seeking, you, a disciple of Jesus, must be in the WORD daily. Read each of the passages listed above, pray (or ask) that the Holy Spirit guides you, and then praise GOD as you receive what you prayed (asked) for: to understand the Kingdom of Heaven.

If you have any other questions for me please send me an email.

The tour continues next week with a look at the command: "To Knock".

Here are the Greek definitions for Ask, Seek, and Knock:

The Greek word that Jesus used for "ask" is "aiteō"
Strong's Number G154 matches the Greek αἰτέω (aiteō), which occurs 71 times in 67 verses in the Greek concordance of the NASB.

Strong defines "aiteō" as: to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require. Top of Page

The Greek word that Jesus used for "seek" is "zēteō"
Strong's Number G2212 matches the Greek ζητέω (zēteō), which occurs 119 times in 112 verses in the Greek concordance of the NASB.

Strong defines "zēteō" as: to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):—be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Top of Page

The Greek word that Jesus used for "knock" is "krouō"
Strong's Number G2925 matches the Greek κρούω (krouō), which occurs 9 times in 9 verses in the Greek concordance of the NASB.

Strong defines "krouō" as: to rap:—knock. Top of Page



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