Parables of Heaven on Earth (Part 3)

This is the third of a three-part series on the parables of the kingdom of God in Matthew 13.

The Kingdom That Starts Small and Finishes Big

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” (Matthew 13:31-33)

IN these two brief parables, Jesus teaches us about the dynamics of the kingdom of Heaven on Earth. In the first one, we see how the mustard seed, though it is very small, becomes a plant large enough to be a tree. In the second, we see how a tiny bit of leaven works through a large batch of dough (the Greek text indicates about half a bushel or more, as much as a woman could knead by herself).

The kingdom of Heaven on Earth starts small and finishes big. That was a surprising twist on Jewish expectations. They knew the kingdom would be large and glorious but they expected that it would burst onto the scene in a great display of political power. What they were not expecting was a seed. But in Zechariah, the Lord declared that the things of God do not come about by human power or might but by His Spirit (4:6). Then He said to not despise the day of “small things” (4:10).

The kingdom of Heaven on Earth operates by the power of the Spirit, which is not bound by physical limitations, so size is inconsequential. Even a tiny seed, when it is in the hand of the Lord, becomes a very powerful thing. In Luke 17:21, Jesus tells us that the kingdom is inside of us. How big can that be? Well, consider how much power is packed inside the atom. Though it is microscopically small on the outside, there is an amazing release of energy when it is split. You might say it is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

It is the same way with us. We are bigger on the inside than we are on the outside, because the kingdom of God is within and that is enough to change the world. Paul says that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think, but he adds that it is according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20). It starts as a small seed within us but soon becomes big enough to change our lives and transform the world.

The kingdom of Heaven on Earth has already begun and has been growing and expanding ever since. As it permeates, its influence is being felt all over the world. It has not yet risen in all its fullness but it is always forcefully advancing, and will continue to do so until King Jesus returns. Then it will shine in all His glory.

The Kingdom Worth Everything

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46)

THE kingdom of Heaven on Earth is like treasure hidden in a field or like a man who finds a pearl beyond compare. One man has not been seeking it at all, but one day he just stumbles across it. Another man has been earnestly seeking after it for years and one glad day happens upon it.

Perhaps the one in the field represents the lowly peasant who had no developed expectation of the messianic kingdom and the merchant stands for one instructed in the Law and the Prophets. Or maybe the merchant signifies the Jews, to whom the promise of the kingdom was made, and the man in the field foreshadows the Gentiles, to whom the Gospel would soon be preached.

Nonetheless, each must make a decision. It is revealed to them suddenly and unexpectedly, in a small moment. But they have “ears to hear” and a heart to receive, so they quickly recognize it for what it is and understand its value. They are overjoyed. Immediately, they give up all they have so they can possess it as their own. Their whole lives have now become all about this wonderful kingdom.

The kingdom of Heaven on Earth is worth everything you have — your whole life.

The Kingdom Gathering In and Sorting Out

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:47-50)

NOTICE that there are two actions taking place in this parable: Gathering in and sorting out. In Matthew 12:32, Jesus spoke of two ages: This age and the age to come. This age is passing away, along with the lust of it (1 John 2:17). It is an age of darkness, but it is fading away and the true light, the light of the age to come, is already shining (1 John 2:8). Those who receive the Lord Jesus are sons of that kingdom which is now breaking into the world. Those who reject Him are part of the world system that is passing away.

This present age is the age of gathering in people of every kind. However, not all who are in the kingdom are of the kingdom, nor do they all belong to the kingdom. There are those to whom the kingdom of Heaven on Earth has been given, and those to whom it has not. There are those who have ears to hear the word of the kingdom and those who do not. There are those who receive the seed in good soil, with the whole heart, and those who do not. There are those who give up everything so that they might possess the kingdom and those who do not. There are those who are “sons of the kingdom,” and those who are “sons of the wicked one.” In other words, there are those who believe the gospel and receive the King and those who do not.

At the end of this age, there will be a sorting out. Those who belong to the kingdom shall see it in all its fullness and have joy in the age to come. Those who belong to this present age shall see the destruction of all they have so vainly held onto and will know only sorrow and misery.

The kingdom of Heaven on Earth is the only one that is going to be left standing at the end of this age. Be sure that you are not only in it, but of it, by receiving the King.

The Treasury of the Kingdom

Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matthew 13:51-52)

HAVING taught His disciples many parables, in public and in private, about the kingdom of Heaven on Earth, Jesus asks them if they understand. The Greek word for “understand” means to put together, to comprehend. “Yes,” they answered; they had connected the dots.

Jesus then likened them to scribes. A scribe was a scholar of the Hebrew Scriptures. The disciples already had an understanding about God’s purposes in the Old Testament. Maybe not all the ins and outs, but enough to know about Messiah and His kingdom. Now they were being “instructed” — “discipled” is what the Greek word means — by the King Himself. They were receiving fresh revelation on important aspects of the kingdom they had not known before. They were witnessing the fulfillment of what the ancient prophets had spoken.

Every student of the Old Testament promise who has also been discipled concerning its fulfillment is like the master of the house who “brings out of his treasure things new and old.” The treasure, or treasury, is his storehouse; he has laid up for himself treasure in heaven, that which speaks of Heaven on Earth. He “brings out” things “new and old.” The Greek word for “bring out” is ekballo, which means to fling or hurl forth. It is active, not passive. The master of the house does not wait to be asked but is passionate about taking out this treasure and introducing it to others.

The Greek word for “new” refers to that which is fresh; the word for “old” speaks of that which is ancient, antique, worn by use. For where there is a promise, it must be fulfilled or else it will become stale. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire [that which is hoped for] comes, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). The “scribe” discipled in the kingdom of heaven not only brings the hope but also is able to show the fulfillment.

Just as Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom of heaven, He prepares His disciples to do the same — to offer the hope of Heaven on Earth and the fulfillment of that hope through faith in Messiah.

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“JEFF DOLES is a Christian author, blogger and Bible teacher. His books include The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth: Keys to the Kingdom of God in the Gospel of Matthew and Praying With Fire: Change Your World with the Powerful Prayers of the Apostles. He and his wife, Suzanne, are the founders of Walking Barefoot Ministries. Visit their website at www.walkingbarefoot.com.”