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by Donna Mitchell, with Stefanie Coutinho
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world" (Matthew 13:34-36).
Parables contain truth. They are, in a sense, earthly stories that reveal spiritual truths. In Matthew 13, Jesus uses six parables to illustrate the kingdom of heaven. Although they are quite different from one another, none of the parables contradict each other, but rather compliment each other. Jesus looks at the same kingdom from different angles. To Him, it is a very important subject that He wants us to understand.
Many parables were devoted to talking about this kingdom. As Jesus spoke to the people of His day, they were often left standing on the shore surprised and confused. Even His own disciples were puzzled. They misunderstood the kingdom because they had different, worldly expectations. The Jews were anticipating a Jewish king who would overtake the Romans, but Jesus spoke of doing the will of God on earth. To Him, the kingdom of heaven wasn’t a geographic location but a spiritual realm in which we would share in His eternal life as sons in relationship.
Jesus spoke of an eternal, spiritual kingdom, and not an earthly kingdom that could be overthrown or destroyed. He described it not as the visible church but as the invisible reign of Christ in the hearts of men and women.
Going to church, I had no idea that there was a kingdom being built that I couldn’t see. I saw the people but didn’t know what was going on in their hearts. Eventually, my own heart began to change and some months later, I made the choice to be part of something I couldn’t physically see.
As I studied the parables, three things surfaced out of them:
- It is His Kingdom – God is the sower and He has the ruling authority. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born a king, preached about the kingdom of God, died a king, and will be seen once again as King of kings at His second coming.
- It is continuously growing – Jesus said not to be fooled by the size of the mustard seed that will eventually grow to be one of the largest trees. Similarly, the kingdom of heaven will keep growing throughout the world. This is what world missions is about – working with the Lord for the sake of His kingdom. The growth doesn’t stop until the harvest time when Christ returns.
- It is about people – the kingdom is not found in buildings or powerful corporations, but in “sons”. They are the work of God, whose business it is to draw them to Himself.
Embracing the Kingdom
Becoming a “daughter” of the kingdom of heaven, and living as one, is a choice in which these things are necessary:
- Humility – In Matthew 18:3,4 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” He is looking for a humble heart; one that will admit a need for Him as a child who needs his father.
- Repentance – John the Baptist came preaching in the desert saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). To repent means to turn from your erroneous ways, change and prepare yourself to follow God.
- Acknowledgement of His Lordship – John 3:35,36 says, “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”
Once the decision has been made, it begins to grow like a tiny mustard seed into mature faith. The journey requires ongoing humility, repentance and acknowledging Christ’s Lordship in our lives.
Participating in the Kingdom
There are a few passages that give us clues about what members of the Kingdom are like. A son is a participating member of the Kingdom – not just on Sunday mornings! Members of the kingdom:
- Seek the kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)
- Endure hardships (Acts 14:22)
- Preach the truth (Acts 8:12)
- Pray for the kingdom (Matthew 6:10)
They are to be a kingdom of priests who serve and work – fellow worker and servants belonging to Christ and giving Him glory.
Are you in? Are you a daughter of the kingdom? Has it been established and growing within your own heart? Are you involved in building the kingdom? Is it first in your life?
As I looked through the book of Matthew, I found these things mentioned even before we arrive at Jesus’ parables.
- Repent
- Be baptized
- Acknowledge Christ’s Lordship
- Share your faith
- Follow Christ wholeheartedly (single-minded obedience)
- Come to Christ if you are sick
- Have right attitudes in your heart
- Live for God and not yourself
- Make a difference in the world (live as salt and light)
- Give, pray, fast
- Store up treasures in heaven
- Don’t worry or judge
- Be wise
- Count the cost
- Be willing to go and serve
It is always a call to action. The question is: Are you in? If the answer is yes, why not pray this prayer to dedicate your life to following and serving Jesus Christ.
Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You for forgiving my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. I desire to follow You in all of my ways. Help me to seek first Your kingdom. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. In Christ’s name. Amen.
~ Donna Mitchell is the Director of Connecting Streams, a ministry of Power to Change, Canada formally Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada. Donna is married to Allan and has 3 teenaged step-sons.
