In Matthew 13:47-52, Jesus told 2 parables, the net and the scribe. He said a fisherman cast his net into the sea and caught many fish. He rowed ashore. There he separated the good from the bad. Saving the good and destroying the bad. Jesus said these are the angels that gather the harvest of people and separate the good from the bad. The bad are thrown into the furnace of fire, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus also talked about the scribe who understands the mysteries of heaven and brings them forth. It’s like bringing out his treasures and sharing. Parables aren’t meant to be understood by everyone. They are meant to be understood by those that seek God. Because only the Holy Spirit will give us understanding. So, Jesus spoke in parables, dark sayings.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus speaks about the same subject twice. It’s the parables of the treasure and the pearl. The person who finds the treasure and the pearl, hides it. Then goes and sells everything he has and buys the treasure and the pearl. You have to look at this 2 different ways, God’s and ours. God’s way is the He sold His all, Jesus, to redeem us, the pearl and treasure, us. And our way is that we sell all we have, which is our life, to purchase the treasure and the pearl, Jesus. It was a dark saying, proverb or parable, to most everyone. He that has ears let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:34-43, Jesus explained why He spoke in parables. He quoted a scripture from Psalms 78:2, “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter (dark sayings) things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” (KJV). Jesus took the disciples aside to house where they were staying. He began to explain the parable of the tares. Jesus said He is the sower. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. The tares are the children of the devil. The Angel’s are the harvesters. The tares will be gathered first and thrown into hell. The children of God will be gathered into heaven. “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

A parable is a proverb. In Matthew 13:33-35, Jesus told the parable of the leaven. A parable or proverb is a dark saying. To understand them, you must seek God. Without the Holy Spirit, you can’t understand the bible. Jesus began to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom. Even the disciples at this point didn’t understand the parables. Jesus had to explain them to the disciples. The parable of the leaven is the word of God recieved in your heart. It begins to grow inside of you. So much so, that it will change you from the inside out. You become a different person. One that is useable in the work of the kingdom. Jesus is the bread of life. We become little Jesus’s or Christian’s. Only the people who sought God would understand the parables. This is one of the mysteries of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:31-32, Jesus talks about the mustard seed. It is a very tiny seed, but grows to almost a tree. Jesus was saying to never judge a person by their size or heart. Because of what a person can grow into. A friend, from high school, was the worst student and so much trouble that they graduated him to get rid of him. He got to college and caught fire. He graduated with a doctorate in Petroleum engineering. He is a fine man and a good Christian. One of his many accomplishments is a abortion counseling clinic. I would have never thought it. Jesus said those who are last shall be first. In God’s hand all things are possible. In the parable, Jesus said that the birds of the air lodge in the branches of the mustard plants. Meaning that we as believers will help the world find rest for the weary. All this from a little mustard seed.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:24-30, is the parable of the sower that sows wheat in his field. Then the enemy comes and sows tares or weeds in the same field. You can’t tell the difference until they begin to produce fruit. As Jesus said you will know them by their fruit. The sower didn’t want to disturb the wheat growing by pulling up the tares. So He said let them grow together. At harvest time, gather the wheat into the barns and tares into the fire. Jesus is talking about this world. There is good and bad in this world. We will live in this world with both. It is up to us and with God’s help to be productive to be gathered home with Jesus. It’s hard for me to be surprised by evil. It’s a constant thing in this world. But I’m always amazed by the hand of God. I look for God in every situation and I find Him there. He always goes before me and makes that path for me to walk on. So, I follow in faith and stay on the right path.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Andre Boutte, French and Indian War, 1763.

Francois Boutte, Louisiana Militia, American Revolution, 1775.

Calvin and Luther Blanchard, Massachusetts Minute-Men, 1775.

Thomas Blanchard, North Carolina Militia, 1776.

Thomas Newton, Commissioner, US Navy, 1776.

Thomas O. Blanchard, War of 1812.

Francois Boutte, War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans, 1814.

Albert G. Blanchard, Maj. General, 9^th Louisiana, CSA 1861.

Calvin and Ebenezer Carson, 16 Alabama Cavalry, CSA 1861

Carey Edward Blanchard, 17^th Texas Brigade, CSA 1864.

William P. Blanchard, 71^st Inf., US Army 1941.

Neal Blanchard, Doctor, US Army, 1941.

Dyer Blanchard, US Navy, 1941.

Hal McGown, Lt. General US Army, Korea and Vietnam, 1948.

Felix Castille, 1^st Marines, Korea, 1951.

Charles Blanchard, US Air Force, Vietnam.

William Carson Blanchard, US Army Medic, Vietnam.

Burl Crain Blanchard, US Air Force, Vietnam.

Jonathan David Blanchard, US Army, Iraq.

Joel Christopher Blanchard, US Army, Iraq.

Joshua Luke Blanchard, US Air Force, Afghanistan.

Jared Blanchard, US Army, Iraq.

William Preston Blanchard III, US Army, Iraq.

My older brother was a Physician’s Assistant in US Army during the Vietnam War. I served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Three of my sons and two of my nephews serve in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since my grandfather came to this country in 1637, our family has defended it. My family are patriots. There are a lot of people who have served our country and I am thankful for it. We are blessed by God with a good land to live in. And it is worth defending our country, no matter how bad it seems to be. I just want to thank the men and women who have served our country in the military. It is right to honor them. Have a blessed and safe Memorial Day.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:18-23, Jesus began to explain the parable of the sower. He said, hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Jesus had just explained why people don’t hear Him. So He explained the parable to His disciples. How do we hear the word of God? It is the Holy Spirit who reveals the word to us. At that time, the Holy Spirit wasn’t given to man, because Jesus hadn’t died and rose again. So Jesus explained the parable. After Jesus ascended into heaven and the disciples had received the Holy Spirit, they remembered the words of Jesus. It all made sense to them. And could use the word to preach the gospel. Jesus said that many prophets and righteous men wanted to see and hear what He was saying, because the Holy Spirit hadn’t been given yet. He only came upon them to do God’s will. So the parable of the sower is about seeing and hearing and doing the word of God. Jesus said some will produce a 100 fold, some 60 fold and some 30 fold. It is in all that you believe. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So what will you produce?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:18-23, Jesus explains the parable of the sower. He said the seed, the word of God, that’s sown by the wayside are people who don’t understand. It’s because the devil comes and steals it. The seed sown on stony ground are people who hear and recieve with joy. But when persecution comes, they are offended. The seed sown in the thorns are people who hear, but the cares of the world choke it out. And they become unfruitful. The seed sown on good ground are people who hear and become fruitful. Some 100 fold, some 60 fold and some 30 fold. The word of God can make you productive. It all depends on you. We are in that parable. Our lives as a believer is there. So, I ask again, which one are you?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:10-17, in parable of the sower, Jesus was and is teaching principles of the kingdom. The disciples came to Him and asked why He taught in parables? Jesus said it’s the children’s bread. It is for you to know how the kingdom works. But to others it isn’t. It’s given to the ones that God,the Father, has given to Me. Jesus said, in Isaiah 6:9, “And he said, go and tell the people, hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.” Jesus said, these people have harden their hearts and closed their eyes. He said blessed are those that see and hear. Jesus said many prophets and righteous men have seen and wanted to know what these things mean. Jesus taught in parables so that only God’s children will understand. It’s a way of separating the sheep from the goats. Only the Holy Spirit gives understanding. You can’t understand the word of God without Him. The Holy Spirit is the one who draws us to God. Many people have found the gospel inconvenient and have refused to listen. This is God’s wisdom.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com