Great herb
Great herb [∞]
The nature of a riddle is that you don't know the answer from the riddle, but you discern the riddle from the answer. The answers to the riddles come from scripture.
The mustard seed [1] grew to be the greatest herb. [2]
We need additional information:
- 1. Herbs were given to men to eat. [3] This is an error, but we will run with it and then correct it to see the process of interpretation. Can you find the error?
- 2. Eating is a metaphor for learning. [4]
One of the clues that the mustard seed represented Jesus was that he and it were both the least of all the seed. Jesus was the least because he served us all. The seed grew into the greatest herb, which was given to man to eat. What is the greatest thing that man can eat? The body of Christ.[5]
We conclude that he became the great teacher.
However, when we apply close reading rules, we catch the error. It does not say that the herb was given to men to eat, but to serve men. Though our first conclusion was a technical error, it was nonetheless true. Jesus was a teacher. Upon closer examination, the riddle is clarified. Now it can be said that his service is referenced in both parts of the riddle.
He not only taught us about the cross, but he taught us about 'bruising our heel', or making the instincts of the flesh weak in order to be obedient in the Spirit. [6] This was teaching by example. He served us, by overcoming his desire to not die, and fulfull the Father's will on the cross.
The Rules for Interpretation [7] were applied to clarify the teaching. Scripture is the source of all the answers. Not our memory, doctrinal interpolations, tradition, history, etc.
A child could have noticed that originally it was said that the herbs were given to man to 'eat, but that the scripture did not say that. Where did it come from? It wasn't a total fabrication. Everyone knows that herbs can be eaten. So it was 'penciled in' in our mind to make sense of the riddle as it was examined more closely in each pass.
The Greek, undoubtedly would call someone a heretic, and doctrinal battles would ensue, if they had ever recognized the riddle to begin with. Studying the mystery is a collaboration.
In Greek studies, they say it is a collaboration by asking "what does it mean to you?". In these studies, we share in the observation of what it says by close reading.
- ↑ Mustard seed
- ↑ ▸ ± Mr 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
- ↑ ▸ ± Ps 104:14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
- ↑ ▸ ± De 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
- ↑ ▸ ± Lu 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
- ↑ ▸ ± Mt 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].
- ↑ Rules for Interpretation
