INTRODUCTION Jesus spoke in parables here to unlock different perspectives of the kingdom of heaven. Of the 7 the first 4 were targeted at the multitudes and therefore meant for general consumption. However from v36-43 we realize that the explanation for both parables was given only to the disciples not to wider public. Today as we proceed with the last 3 parables which were targeted at his disciples. Each provides a perspective of what the kingdom of heaven because it cannot be contained in one analogy. So Jesus’ used these parables not merely to illustrate a point, but he used these common examples to make a counterpoint against earthly wisdom, against what we tend to overlook or neglect or negate and forces each one of us to look at it afresh.
THE PARABLES
THE PARABLES
1. The Mustard Seed. This is supposed to be the smallest known in Palestine at that time but it then grows into a large plant, a bush that becomes rather invasive causing farmers to eradicate it. If Jesus had used the analogy of the great oak or the mighty cypress to describe the Kingdom, that would make more sense. Why does he say, “”Your faith is a mustard seed”? For Jesus, a mustard seed is an overlooked herb since its beginnings is not a grand one. So what Jesus was saying is that the Kingdom of Heaven is already here but it is often neglected because we don't notice it. It is in the mustard seed of everyday life.
2. The Leaven in the loaf. The leaven is often used as negative metaphor. It aids the process of fermentation so something with leaven would have gone bad and is corrupted. Why is the Kingdom of heaven like leaven? Here Jesus reversed the negative connotation of the leaven to help us understand the presence of the kingdom. It is to symbolize the positive but inconspicuous permeation of the kingdom of heaven in this world. It will bring about transformation but that is not fully observable. It begins unnoticeably in the inner transformation of the heart, but it permeates slowly and effect transformation.
3. Treasure Hidden in the Field. From v44 onwards, Jesus spoke in parables to his disciples, using them not to conceal as he did earlier with the crowds, but to reveal more secrets of the kingdom with them. He spoke about a labourer finding a treasure in the field where he was working. Instead of informing his employer, he buries it and sells everything to buy the field. The point that Jesus is making is about the supreme worth of the treasure that is unnoticed by other, which is worth far more than any sacrifice. He is not highlighting the ethical point of the story we must remember. He used the parable to affirm the disciples of their joyful abandonment of everything in order to obtain the treasure, the kingdom of heaven. Nothing is more valuable than possessing the kingdom.
4. The Costly Pearl: Here the merchant sells everything he has to gain possession of that one pearl. His point is not that Kingdom of heaven may be bought with a price, but that they all understand that there is nothing more valuable than the Kingdom of heaven.
5. The Dragnet: In this parable he focuses on the choice that people have to make about the kingdom of heaven and the gravity of the consequences of that choice one: following or rejecting Jesus.
Are you confused? Enlightened? We can draw 3 lessons from these 5 parables:
Are you confused? Enlightened? We can draw 3 lessons from these 5 parables:
1. The Inconspicuous Nature of the Kingdom of Heaven: The Mustard seed and Yeast: The inconspicuous nature of the Kingdom is not equal to impotence or inability. True followers need to bring about the Kingdom of heaven quietly. They do this by bringing about transformation in their daily choices. We are to permeate our environment with the Kingdom values and life-style wherever we are. It is far more important that we show how we live rather than shout about them.
2. The Incalculable Value of the Kingdom of Heaven: Whatever costs you expend is nothing compared to belonging to Jesus. Paul describes this in Phil 3:7-8, “7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage (dog dung), that I may gain Christ.” In knowing Jesus there is this value that is priceless.
3. The Inescapable Judgment that comes with our response. The onus is on Christians to live righteously. God will put things right and we need to live with this hope. But until the final consummation and reckoning, we will have both good and bad intermingled on this side of heaven. Until he returns, the onus is on us to live out our transformation. Reminder that even though evil continues in this world, Jesus will indeed come to right all wrongs. There is good news for there'll be a judgment when God divides the wheat from the tares.
In summary, Jesus used a variety of parables, a myriad of characters and situations to invite us to take a fresh perspective of the Kingdom of heaven. The key to understanding all of this is in the Parable of Sower: what kind of soil are you? Will you allow the kingdom truths to affect your life? There is this continual urging from Jesus: He who has ears, let him hear. What have you heard these weeks?
CONCLUSION
Chuck Swindoll the well known American pastor tells this story in his book, “Living on the Rugged Edge”: A Native American was walking in downtown New York City alongside a friend who was a resident of the city. Right in the centre of Manhattan, the Native American seized his friend’s arm and whispered, “Wait! I can hear a cricket.”
His friend replied “Come on! A cricket? Man, this is downtown New York.”
He persisted, “Yo, seriously, I really can hear a cricket.”
“It’s impossible!” the New Yorker replied.
“You can’t hear a cricket! There are taxis going by. Horns are honking. People are screaming at each other. Brakes are screeching. Both sides of the street filled with people. Cash registers are clanging away. Subways roaring beneath us. You can’t possibly hear a cricket!”
The Native American insisted, “Wait a minute!” he said and led his friend, the New Yorker along, slowly.
They stopped, and the Native American walked down to the end of the block, went across the street, looked around, cocked his head to one side, but couldn’t find it.
He went across another street, and there in a large cement planter where a tree was growing, he dug into the mulch and found the cricket.
“See!” he yelled, as he held the insect high above his head.
His friend walked across the street, marvelling,
“How in the world could it be that you heard a cricket in the middle of downtown busy Manhattan?”
The Native American said, “Well, my ears are different from yours. It simply depends on what you’re listening to. Here, let me show you.”
And he reached in his pocket and pulled out a handful of change--a couple of quarters, three or four nickels, and some dimes and pennies. Then he said, “Now watch.”
He held the coins waist high and dropped them to the sidewalk.
Every head within a block turned around and looked in the direction of the Native American.
It all depends on what we you’are listening for and who you are listening to. We may hear a handful of change and missed the sound of life. Are yo starting to get a handle on all these?
Chuck Swindoll the well known American pastor tells this story in his book, “Living on the Rugged Edge”: A Native American was walking in downtown New York City alongside a friend who was a resident of the city. Right in the centre of Manhattan, the Native American seized his friend’s arm and whispered, “Wait! I can hear a cricket.”
His friend replied “Come on! A cricket? Man, this is downtown New York.”
He persisted, “Yo, seriously, I really can hear a cricket.”
“It’s impossible!” the New Yorker replied.
“You can’t hear a cricket! There are taxis going by. Horns are honking. People are screaming at each other. Brakes are screeching. Both sides of the street filled with people. Cash registers are clanging away. Subways roaring beneath us. You can’t possibly hear a cricket!”
The Native American insisted, “Wait a minute!” he said and led his friend, the New Yorker along, slowly.
They stopped, and the Native American walked down to the end of the block, went across the street, looked around, cocked his head to one side, but couldn’t find it.
He went across another street, and there in a large cement planter where a tree was growing, he dug into the mulch and found the cricket.
“See!” he yelled, as he held the insect high above his head.
His friend walked across the street, marvelling,
“How in the world could it be that you heard a cricket in the middle of downtown busy Manhattan?”
The Native American said, “Well, my ears are different from yours. It simply depends on what you’re listening to. Here, let me show you.”
And he reached in his pocket and pulled out a handful of change--a couple of quarters, three or four nickels, and some dimes and pennies. Then he said, “Now watch.”
He held the coins waist high and dropped them to the sidewalk.
Every head within a block turned around and looked in the direction of the Native American.
It all depends on what we you’are listening for and who you are listening to. We may hear a handful of change and missed the sound of life. Are yo starting to get a handle on all these?
Reflection Questions
1. Do you have ears to hear and respond to the kingdom? What kind of soil are you?
2. Have you been wanting to hear everything else but not Jesus’ voice? Take time to sieve out the conflicting voices.
3. What is the Holy Spirit saying to us and its implications for our lives?
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