Parables of the Kingdom

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the entrance of Your Word gives light!

We ask that You will shine the light of Your Word into our hearts,

so that it may be reflected in our lives and illuminate the world around us.

Amen

What do we know about Parables?

Before we look at the Parables, I need to give you a bit of background.

The best known parables in the Old Testament are the Proverbs of Solomon, and the best known parables in the New Testament were told by Jesus.

Jesus often told parables to explain passages of Scripture or to introduce biblical concepts. His parables worked by taking familiar situations to introduce spiritual truths.

Parables often contained a twist in the tale and a hint of humour, and were intended to spark productive conversations that would lead to an exploration of the subject and a deeper understanding.

Those who were receptive to Jesus teaching received a deeper understanding of what God wanted from them through his parables. The parables are like windows into heaven.

But for those who were not receptive to his teaching, the parables just made things worse, like a closed book, or like a story or song with no relevance. They did not want to accept his interpretation of things. They preferred to stick to their own version.

I’m anticipating that you are the former rather than the latter.

The Kingdom of Heaven in the Bible

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus often told parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, elsewhere in the New Testament it is called the Kingdom of God. I will refer to both.

The parables that we are looking at, all relate to the Kingdom of Heaven.

There are two things that you need to know about the Kingdom of Heaven: a) the Kingdom is ‘here and now’ because you are here, and b) the Kingdom will come because Jesus is coming again! The Kingdom of Heaven is present wherever the King is seen to rule.

The idea of the Kingdom of God goes back to the book of Exodus in the Old Testament, where God calls his people Israel to be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6 (cf. Rev.1:5-6); 2 Chronicles 13:8; Psalm 45:6, 145:9-13; Daniel 7:14, 7:18, 7:22).

Why did the Kingdom come to prominence with Moses? Answer: Because the King was present in power to release his people from slavery at Passover. He took them through the waters of the Red Sea. The King was present in power on mount Sinai to write his Law upon their hearts at Pentecost. And the King was present in power to bring them into their inheritance in the Promised Land.

The Kingdom could also be seen as a messianic concept, and a direct reference to Jesus (Luke 17:21). Because the King was present in power to release his people from slavery to sin at Passover. He called them to go through the waters of Baptism, thereby identifying with him. The King was present in power to write his Law upon their hearts by his Spirit at Pentecost. And the King was present in power to bring his disciples into their inheritance as children of God. The King and his Kingdom is among us.

Romans 8:14 NIV

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

God is praised and acknowledged as King throughout the Old Testament (Numbers 23:21, 1 Samuel 8:7, Psalm 5:2, 10:16, 24:8, 24:10, 29:10, 44:4, 47, 68:24, 74:12, 84:3, 89:18, 95:3, 98:6, 145:1; Isaiah 6:5, 33:22, 41:21, 43:15, 44:6; Jeremiah 10:10; Zephaniah 3:15; Zechariah 14:9, 14:16-17 Malachi 1:14).

In the New Testament Jesus is hailed as King (Matthew 2:2, 21:5, 27; Mark 15, Luke 19:38, 23; John 1:49, 6:15, 12:12-15, 18:33-40, 19:1-22; Acts 17:7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Revelation 1:5-6, 15:1-4, 17:14, 19:16).

You are representatives of the Kingdom wherever you go and whatever you do. If you have answered the call of the Kingdom, then you are the people of God, and part of God’s Kingdom.

Now let’s move on to the parables of the Kingdom to see what they teach us.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:31–32 NIV

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

This is a parable of contrasts, where we are reminded that humble beginnings and a secret presence are not inconsistent with a great and glorious destiny.

Mustard is a herb that was noted for its small seeds. This parable may be about cultivated black mustard. Some species of mustard can grow up to 15 feet tall. Birds could come and perch on these trees, which could spring up quite fast. So do not despise the day of small things for great things have often been produced from very small beginnings.

Clement of Rome presented the planting of seeds and sprouting of plants as an image of resurrection, portraying the mystery of life from death.

The tree that shelters birds and animals is a traditional Old Testament image for a great kingdom that is reminiscent of Daniel 4:10-12 and Daniel 4:20-21 and also Ezekiel 17:23 and Ezekiel 31:5-6. The variety of birds and animals symbolises the nations that are part of the Kingdom.

This Kingdom has great potential for growth and transformation, and you are part of it.

The Parable of the Yeast (Leaven)

Matthew 13:33 NIV

He told them still another parable: “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.”

Prior to use, leaven was stored in fermenting juices, so that it was ready when the need arose (no pun intended).

Leaven was passed from loaf to loaf in succession, using some of the dough from the previous loaf to make the bread of the new loaf rise and spread. Though its effect was eventual it was also inevitable.

Don’t underestimate the power of the Kingdom of Heaven to transform people, places, situations, and even entire societies. In the early stages the Kingdom may be a hidden presence but little by little it makes its presence known by the changes that it inspires.

Jerome, the famous Bible translator, linked the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast together, since both are about growth and transformation from a hidden presence to an inescapable influence.

There cannot have been many who looked at the crucified Rabbi from Galilee and his twelve disciples and understood that his followers would multiply and grow until they composed the largest and most influential religion in human history, and that Jesus’ story would be part of the most influential book of all time.

The Kingdom has potential to transform wherever it is present, and you are part of it.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

Matthew 13:44 NIV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

I sometimes watch programs like ‘Bargain Hunt’ and ‘Antiques Roadshow’. It is not uncommon for participants to bring with them old paintings or objects that appear to have passed their sell-by-date. Then the expert looks them over and recognises the marks of a master. The owners are then informed that the old thing that had been collecting dust on a shelf somewhere or sitting in cellar is a hidden treasure of great value.

In the ancient world banking, as we know it, did not exist. People might bury their precious items near their homes, or put them in a plain earthenware vessel so that they were not recognised until they were needed.

The Copper Scroll (3Q15) from the Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran (DSS) gives directions for the recovering a several such buried cashes of gold, silver, and other precious items.

This parable referred to a familiar practice in the ancient world.

We may note from this parable that obtaining treasure could involves cost and personal sacrifice.

You will find many hidden treasures in the Church, one of which is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The practice of concealing treasure in this way is also referred to in 2 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Those who understand the value of the Gospel are ready to make the effort and pay the price.

The Kingdom is like a hidden treasure that needs to be searched out and recognised, and you are part of it.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13:45–46 NIV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Gospel contains many precious truths and those who best understand them, know how to value them. The Kingdom remains unseen to many, but those who discover its worth, know that it exceeds any value that men may place upon it.

Whenever the truth is encountered a decision must be made and a price must be paid. There was nothing half-hearted about the commitment of the merchant in this parable. He seeks diligently for that which he values most, and gives everything that he has so that he may obtain it.

Once more we note that obtaining treasure involves cost and personal sacrifice.

The Kingdom has unique and special value, and you are part of it.

The Parable of the Weeds (and the Wheat)

Matthew 13:41–43 NIV

The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

The weeds referred to in this parable are probably the Bearded Darnel which is a grass that resembles Wheat or Rye. Bearded Darnel can be particularly harmful if it is infected with mould ergot, potentially causing sickness and even death in some cases. The Weeds in this parable represent those who reject God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Wheat and Weeds need to be separated carefully during the harvest.

God knows those who are his own and one day he will take them to himself.

This parable teaches us that punishment is reserved for those who lead others into sin, or who commit sin with no regard for their Maker.

The image of the righteous shining like the sun is also reminiscent of Daniel 12:3 and Daniel 7:13-14.

Daniel 12:3 NIV

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

The Kingdom of Heaven rewards its faithful sons and daughters, and you are part of it..

The Parable of the Net (Fishing for Souls)

Matthew 13:47–51 NIV

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.

This parable contains elements that are similar to that of the parable of the Weeds.

There may be times when we are tempted to ask ‘What difference does it make?’, the good are often treated badly, and the bad may be treated well. But it is not so in the Kingdom. Our King knows how to distinguish between the good and the bad.

The focus of this parable is upon the judgement of the wicked. It may not be our place to judge them or to determine their end, but God will determine it at the end of the age. This gives the parable a distinctly eschatological end-time flavour.

Several of the disciples were fishermen by trade and so this parable will have covered familiar ground.

Fishing for souls takes patience and skill. The Kingdom is the net that gets the fish from the sea of humanity and brings them into the care of the Great Fisherman. Bring your fish to Jesus so that he can multiply them in his Kingdom.

The Parable of Treasures New and Old

Matthew 13:52 NIV

He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Western Society highly values new things and youth. It is good to discover new truths and to treasure the young. But old things can conceal hidden value that only the eye of the specialist can recognise. I hope that you will forgive me, if I observe that there are few old treasures here today.

You are valued by me and prayed for, but more importantly, whatever your age, you are loved and treasured by God. You are precious to him.

Some commentators believe that Matthew would have belonged to a school of Christian Scribes in a Christian Synagogue creating manuscripts for the infant Church. They think that this may be the reason for the inclusion of this parable.

Some commentators have seen in this parable as a reference to the use of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

I have often applied it to worship music: hymns and songs, using it to heal rifts between the young and the old. The congregation should not be divided by its treasures, it should share them.

We are all beneficiaries of God’s priceless grace and measureless love.

The Kingdom is a wonderful thing. We should aspire to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. We should all participate in the Kingdom, and we should all bear witness to the Kingdom and invite others to join us, so that they can understand for themselves what the Kingdom of Heaven is like, and what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God.

Parables of the Kingdom in Matthew

So what have we learned from the Parables in Matthew’s Gospel:

The parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven teaches us about the growth of the Kingdom to include all nations.

The parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price teach us about values and appreciation, and our response to God.

The parables of the Weeds and the Net teach us about God’s response to us and the final reckoning.

The Parable of the Treasures Old and New reminds us that those who inherit the Kingdom are entrusted with the care of many treasures to value and share.

Where is the Kingdom?

As we look at the world around us with all its pain and injustice, its suffering and sin, we may be tempted to ask where is the Kingdom in all of this.

The Kingdom of God is present wherever men and women treasure God’s Word.

The Kingdom exists wherever God is seen to reign, wherever people try to make a difference in the world.

The Kingdom of God is within you!

Carry the Reign of God into the world!

Share the beauty of the Gospel as you go, and spread the net, so that many may find their place in God’s Kingdom of Power and Love.