The Kingdom of Heaven

Summary

In the 5 parables that we read earlier Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to different things that his audience at the time could easily relate to.  These things were things that the audience at that time could relate to. It could be a bit strange for us but they were very ordinary things for them.

We see that these particular parables have some defining factors. They are very short and unlike other times when Jesus spoke in parables he gaves no explanation and no commentary.  So we have to rely on other scriptures on the topic to interpret them. Fortunately there are many texts 32 references in Matthew and 68 references to the Kingdom of God which can be in some cases not all, can be interchanged with the Kingdom of heaven.  Each of the parables points to a different aspect of the kingdom. There is also an emphasis on the element of hiddenness. The treasure was hidden in the field and the pearl was not easily seen, you had to look for it. These particular parables do not talk about the framework of the kingdom but more about the experience of the kingdom of heaven and that is what Jesus wants us to have, an experience of the kingdom of heaven.

The mustard seed points to the kingdoms small beginnings. Where does it start, it starts with  you and me, just ordinary individuals , we are pretty small in the big scheme  of things. The psalmist said, “What is man that thou are mindful of him, what are human beings that you care for us ?” So you can see that the psalmist was perplexed too, as to why God cared so much for him and for Israel.

Yeast shows that the kingdom can transform the world. The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl tells us that the kingdom is the ultimate treasure of life and reality.  It is such a treasure that when one finds it one is compelled to sell all one has in order to possess it. Its that important.

Maybe you have gone out shopping and you see something and say you have got to have it. So because it is expensive you decide to go home and sleep on it. You cannot stop thinking about it and in the morning you get up and go to the shop and it is gone.  That is how the kingdom is, you cannot put off getting it, you might just lose access to it completely, if you put off reaching out for it.

Every body is fimailiar with the tennis queen, Venus Williams. She has dedicated her life to being the best tennis player she can be, and to being good enough to defeat the others in the world who qualify as great tennis players. The same is true for any champion.  And isn’t that exactly what the landowner and the jeweler do in Jesus’ parables?  They give up everything they have to gain the one thing they want the most. Have you ever wanted something so bad that you dedicated everything to achieving it?  That’s how bad Jesus wants us to want the Kingdom of heaven.

This parable only provides us with analogies and comparison. No actual explanation as to what the kingdom actually is and the questions remain.   Is the kingdom a future reality to be hoped for or is it a present reality that we experience now ? Well it happens to be both. It is here and it is coming. Many of its blessings are here to be enjoyed now but many of them as we have experienced are not here.  We don’t always get what we want, there is a lot of evil in the world, a lot of sin so we know that it is not complete.  Some of its power is available but not everything. Some of the curse and misery of this old age can be overcome now by the presence of the kingdom. We do know that the decisive battle against sin, against satan, against death was won by Jesus on the cross, by his death and his resurrection. The battle was won but the war is not over yet. The final victory will come in the second coming of Christ then the whole world, all of creation will be subdued to  him and then the kingdom will be here. The bible says that sin must be fought, satan must be resisted, sickness must be prayed over and groaned under, it says so in Romans, and death must be endured until the second coming and the consummation of the kingdom.

What is this Kingdom of Heaven anyway?

Where is it?

How does one qualify for entry and then permenent residence in it? The Gospel or good news of the Kingdom is an invitation for man to return to the life God originally intended for him. All followers of Jesus have the keys to the kingdom. We were given them when we accepted Jesus as Lord. The kingdom was ushered in by Jesus at His first coming 2000 years ago. He brought healing and wholeness and salvation with Him. He says to the pharisees regarding the kingdom of heaven, « nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” He was refering to himself. The bible tells us that «He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons.» Mark 1:34. Another text says «After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.» Matt.9:33. So we see that He had ushered in the kingdom on earth.

Residency in the Kingdom of God requires a new lifestyle governed by the laws of the Kingdom. Life in the spiritual Kingdom affects the quality of life in the mortal world. The lifestyle of the Kingdom is exactly opposite of the lifestyle of the kingdoms of the world both in structure and principles. When we enter the Kingdom of God it is like immigrating to a new country. We must learn a different culture.

Jesus himself tells us who the kingdom people are in the beatitudes or the state of supreme blessedness as narrated in the Gospels in «The Sermon on the Mount», He says, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. What does it mean then to be poor in spirit? Jesus was speaking of our condition of spiritual poverty—the recognition of our need for God. The kingdom of heaven” belongs to people who acknowledge God as their King.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Those who mourn” are people who express deep sorrow over sin, or those who  repent  from their sins. (Not the kind of mourning that comes from having suffered the loss of a loved one but a deep sorrow or mourning when you first realize how nuch of a sinner you are and how much you have hurt God. (the realization of ones wretched condition.) The Bible says that, «If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.» 1John 1:8. Freedom found in the forgiveness of sins and the joy of eternal salvation is the “comfort” of those who repent. Real repentance will lead to real joy and peace.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

The meek just like the poor are those who submit to God’s authority, making him Lord. The Bible tells us (Revelation 21:7) that God’s children will “inherit all things.”

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Hunger and thirst” after something . To desperately want something. Speaks of a deep need and a driving passion. This “righteousness” refers to the Lord, Jesus Christ, our righteousness. To “be filled” is the satisfaction of the soul’s desire.

 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Simply put, we reap what we sow. Those who demonstrate mercy will receive mercy. Likewise, those who know great mercy will show great mercy. This mercy is shown through forgiveness and also by offering kindness and compassion toward others.

 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

The “pure in heart” are those who have been cleansed from within. This is not talking about outward righteousness seen by men, but inward holiness that only God can see. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:14 that without holiness, no man will see God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Just as Jesus faced persecution, he promised his followers persecution. He said, If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, which is one of the names of the devil, (He was refering to what the Pharisees were calling Him) how much more will they malign those of his household. Matt. 10:25. Those who endure because of their faith rather than hiding their righteousness to avoid persecution are genuine followers of Christ. We can ask ourselves, is our loyality with Jesus or do we conform to the norms, values, ethics and standards of our world and society today? It is easy to make allowances. It is easy to be deceived into thinking that perhaps the Word of God is dated and not in keeping with the progressive thought of our times? I know that I am tempted. It is very challenging when we live amongst and work with people who are not followers of Jesus. We can remind ourselves that the Word of God is alive and everlasting and unchanging. Jesus says, ‘’Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’’ Already 900 years before the birth of Jesus the prophet Isaiah came with the warning «Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.» Isaiah 5:20. The Gospel

The question about how we can fulfill the purpose of our lives is answered by what we do with the treasure of God’s Kingdom!!! The Parable of the Mustard Seed points to the Kingdom’s small beginnings.

When we find the Kingdom it is like the smallest of all seeds…

…but if we plant this small seed of faith into our lives…directing

…how we live, work and play…

…how we interact with our friends, neighbors, even our enemies…

…it grows! And the longer we cultivate our faith in action — the more mountians we will see moved. The more our lives will become clothed with Jesus Christ’s tenderheartedness, His mercy, His kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. There are many people who have not yet found the treasure hidden in the field. When we connect with them they will eventually also find rest, solace, forgiveness and ultimately—Jesus—through our lives! we can ask of ourselves, do others see Jesus’ Kingdom in us?

We may be a small church in the grand scheme of the Christian world. We may not have the budget or the programs or the people, but God can use what we do have to great impact. Remember that Jesus started with twelve men in an obscure corner of Galilee, but His message has spread throughout the world. And remember how the first New Testement church grew inspite of all the trials and persecution they faced. One person planted, another one watered and God gave the increase. All He asks is to surrender all to Him.

Our purpose is to make followers of Jesus Christ in order to change the world. This is the Great Commission Christ has entrusted us with until His return. We can ask our selves are we taking our faith outside the doors of this building? The imagery of birds making nests in the branches of the tree like plant is symbolism from the Old Testament, in which all the nations come to rest in the branches of a tree, the kingdom of God (Dan. 4:12; Ezek. 17:23)

YEAST

In the second parable we read today Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” The kingdom of Heaven exerts its influence from within, not from without just as yeast makes dough rise from within. God first changes the heart of a person, and that internal change has external manifestations. God always starts with our heart. The gospel’s influence in a culture works the same way: Christians within a culture act as agents of change, slowly transforming that culture from within. What is our role then in this change? We stay true to our convictions, but we live the two most important commandments. Love God and Love people. When we do that effectively we can change opinion, we can change attitudes.

 

WARNING :SEPARATION OF THE FISH 

The central idea in the last parable is separation-that which is good is separated from that which is bad or worthless. This goes back to the question of residency in the kingdom. Jesus says in the parable that there will be a judgment. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. The Bible also tells us that that when God’s judgment does come it will begin with the church first. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? The scope of God’s empire is universal (“fish of every kind”). Judgment at the end of the age separates the evil and the righteous who coexist up to this point, apparently also in the church. The scenario reminds readers how important it as Jesus says, “to do the will of my Father in heaven”(12:50) and about choosing to focus our mortal lives on the eternal rather than the temporal or that which will pass away.

CONCLUSION

Living in the kingdom enables you and me to live triumphantly even if we are dealing with the greatest of adversity!!!

Living by kingdom principles is the Power for Living a fulfilling and meaningful life!!!

It is EVERYTHING that is why Jesus tells us to pursue it. God does not force us to seek Him. Our seeking is volitional and intentional. The Bible says His spirit draws us (Jn. 6:44), but He does not force us. We do not seek God by accident. Seeking is a deliberate choice to search for God with the eyes of your heart. The best news is that a victorious life is available to all of us through the life, death, resurrection and eternal triumphant reign of Jesus Christ,King of the kingdom!!!

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