I read Matthew 13 today, and Jesus does a lot of teaching in it. Since I often think in terms of analogies anyway, it should be easier to understand the analogies that He uses. It's important that I use that gift that He has given me, because He says in verses 9 and 43, "He who has ears, let him hear." I think, in context with verses 13-15, that means not only do I have the choice whether or not to make the attempt to understand Him and His parables, but also if I do make that attempt, it's His desire, and His will, that I would succeed. So with that in mind, I'm going to try to understand what He's saying about the kingdom of heaven.
First of all, the very message of the kingdom, properly understood, should make me do something about it. If I don't understand it, then the enemy is more than pleased to snatch away the message so it doesn't change my life. If I have no root, or solid grounding in Christ, then difficult times will shake my faith and I will let it go, having nothing solid to cling to. If I hear it, but then allow worry and materialism to crowd it out, then I will be ineffective. But if I can understand it, the message will revolutionize my life, and make me greatly effective for the kingdom.
With that in mind, what is the message of the kingdom? What else does Jesus say about it? If understanding it will make me more effective, then I want to understand it.
The parable of the weeds tells me that those who try to seem like His people and yet bring evil, or choke out the good He wants to do, will not be judged by their appearances, but by their hearts, and in truth. God is merciful with them for the time being because He is unwilling to destroy the innocent with the guilty, and the fruit of their life will tell.
The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast tell me that the kingdom is extremely potent and effective. Its very nature is to take the seemingly insignificant and show just how significant it is.
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl tell me that the kingdom is more valuable than anything and everything else that we put value in. With a right understanding of it, we would let nothing get in the way of our possessing the kingdom of heaven.
The parable of the net tells me that the kingdom of heaven is for all kinds of people. No matter what kind of person you are, you're not judged by your job, your nationality, your financial situation, what family you were born into. God merely looks at whether we're wicked or righteous. That completely levels the playing field, especially when I see Romans 3:10 saying that no one is righteous, not even one... and Romans 4:22-25, 1 Corinthians 1:30, and Jeremiah 23:5-6 saying that Jesus Himself is our righteousness. I don't think it can get much more plain than that. God accepts us into the kingdom of heaven solely based on our allowing Him to cover us with His righteousness. Surely He is not willing that any should perish! Why would anyone be willing to perish, knowing they don't have to? No wonder this is called good news! I want to be effective for the kingdom, and share this good news. It's time to grow, and produce a crop.
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