Kingdom parables

(One Perfect Life Chapters 64-68) Jesus begins to teach in parables in fulfillment of a prophecy in Psalm 78:2. Another prophecy foretold the use of parables and the need for the Holy Spirit to open the hearts, eyes and ears of the people to understand and accept the teachings of the Messiah (Isaiah 6:9-10). Jesus calls blessed those have had their spiritual eyes and ears opened to receive the truth of God (Matthew 13:10-17).

The Kingdom parables are an extensive teaching on the kingdom of God. They describe how the kingdom is spread and received. They describe the outward manifestation and internal workings of the kingdom. Finally they describe the blessing for those that receive it and describe the final separation of believers and non-believers.

Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23): This is the most important parable as evidence by it appearing in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Jesus likens the spreading of the Gospel to the sowing of the seed. The seed is good, whether or not it is productive depends on the quality of the soil. Indifference, distractions and persecution can inhibit the effectiveness of the seed. In those in whom it takes root, it can produce up to a one hundred-fold increase.

Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43): The devil isn’t satisfied with spoiling the soil, he next tries to thwart the good soil by sowing tares/weeds into it. The weeds are allow to grow for a time but when harvest comes they will be destroyed.

Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32): The smallest seed has the ability to grow into the largest plant. It serves as a nesting place for the birds. If we let the kingdom manifest itself in us we will benefit the present age as well as point others to eternal life.

Leaven (Matthew 33-34): Just as leaven works to change the character of the flour into which it is placed, the presence of the kingdom changes the character of the individual and the culture.

Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44): A man discovers a treasure he did not expect but sells everything to buy the field containing the treasure. In the same way God seek us out when we are not seeking Him and our proper response is to forsake all in pursuit of His kingdom.

Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46): Here a merchant is seeking for something of value and when he finds it sells all to possess it. People are looking for spiritual fulfillment in their live. When they come to a knowledge of the Gospel, they make the kingdom the single focus of their lives.

Dragnet (Matthew 13:47-50): Fish are caught in nets and the good one are separated from the bad – the bad are thrown away. This is similar to the separation of the wheat and the tares. We will face judgement some day on our response to the Gospel, how we valued it and how we lived it out.

The kingdom of God is spiritual but it is meant to have an impact on our present physical world.