7-26-26. MAT 13:31-33,44-52

31 [Jesus] put before [the crowds] another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field;32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
  33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
  44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
  45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
  47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

The kingdom of heaven is so much more than we expect, and it is for ordinary people, like you and me, to discover.  Amen

This is our third week in this chapter of Matthew. Jesus has been teaching the crowds with the goal of helping them recognize the value and potential of the message he brings. Jesus wants them to hear that the kingdom of heaven is open to include each one of them. He wants them to trust that the kingdom is inclusive, available, and so precious that it is indeed worth all that they have to give. The question is how to get this wonderful news across; how can He make an impact that will be memorable? Jesus not only had this crowd and his disciples to reach. He had to make such an impression that they would tell others, that His words would be written down and passed along to generations to come. He wanted to tell it in ways that would hit home! Last week we spoke of how everyone’s response is not the same although the message was identical. Each of us have individual experiences and varying backgrounds that determine how we hear & react. One size does not fit all. So Jesus told numerous parables. With a number of metaphors He exposed different pictures of the various aspects of the reign of God. It is hoped that from several examples, at least one would be a direct hit and bring the insight needed. Then as each aspect is put together, we too will discover a more complete picture of what God wants us to understand about how God operates and what is being offered us in our relationship with God.

In the portion of these teachings that we are given today, we have five of these comparisons, each a separate way of viewing what the kingdom of heaven is like. Then, finally, Jesus asks if his disciples have understood, have his examples made sense to them? Like many, who are faced with a direction question - they don’t want to be singled out by answering. What if they don’t understand as well as they should? It would become obvious and then the others will learn about their lack, they would be shamed. So, they all say: YES! They know what their answer was supposed to be and they can only hope that soon it will become more and more true, that they will understand. They realize Jesus wants them to comprehend his meaning. It will be important as they continue to follow Him and receive the training they need to serve Jesus. Jesus compared those students of his to the head of the household, the one in charge, who has access and knowledge of all that is filling up the closets and storage places, and therefore can utilize all that is stored there. The Message Bible interprets this master, the head of the household, like a manager of a general store who knows well his merchandise so that when someone comes in needing a specific item, he can go to the right room, the exact shelf and find the item required. Such skill implies that he not only knows his own products but also understands the need of his customer. Jesus will be relying on those disciples to provide that sort of leadership.

What do we have added to our knowledge with this group of today’s parables? The kingdom of heaven is like a tiny mustard seed, small but mighty as it grows into something that provides sheltered protection. The k of h is like that yeast that spreads, overtaking the whole batch. The k of h is a real treasure that’s value is realized when it is found. The k of h is like a pearl which so important that all one’s possessions are willingly given in exchange for it. The k of h is like a dragnet that takes up every sort of fish bringing them ALL in.

Please note that as Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven there is no description presented about a place, a destination that we often refer to as heaven - an eternal dwelling that provides peace. This kingdom is the reign of God, where God’s rule is followed. Jesus is not concerned with providing you with your ultimate address.  He is instructing you about bringing God’s way into your life now and what that will be like for you and for those around you. From these parables we discover that the k of h is more valuable than what we can measure, it is working among us even when we can’t see it and to be a part of it will have more value than all we have.

We humans like to be in charge, in control, and in the know. Yet we hear in these parables that the kingdom is working in ways that are hidden from our sight. The mustard seed gets planted underground, the yeast disappears into the flour, that treasure had been lost for being buried in the field, the pearl was concealed in the ocean depths and all those fish were hiding under the surface of the sea too. So we are to realize that we must trust that the kingdom of heaven will emerge and be revealed to us in the results it brings in its own way and time. We will notice it only if we are looking.

The second aspect of the kingdom is how the eventual outcome is so disproportionate to its beginnings. That tiny seed becomes a wondrous plant, big enough to support and protect many nests. That lump of leavened dough will feed many as it becomes loaves and loaves of bread. That treasure in the field was so wonderful, it was worth trading for all you own, as was the pearl. We have often heard of the gifts of God, that an abundance is realized, way beyond our normal expectations. What we receive from our God is extensive and extravagant. Along with such an outcome, we hear that a total response is given. The man who discovered the treasure sold all he had in order to possess that field it was in. The same was true for the merchant who found the pearl. These are people who encounter something so extraordinary that their life is altogether reprioritized. There is no tentative, wait and see attitude taken, but a complete “all in” approach. This was a jackpot, once in a lifetime, prize.

I can’t help but think about this group of folks that have made it their business to search homes and property for valuable treasure. I don’t know the name of the TV program, but it is a real-life series. This crew goes into houses and storage buildings, the kind that have become stuffed with items. The owners are so overwhelmed by all the accumulation that they have sought a rescue. Of course, much of this endeavor is about money and how much of it can be realized after the expense of hauling away the garbage! Naturally the owners want to net a good profit, and the clean-up crew wants to find real treasures, making that great score for themselves. But within the mercenary goals can also be found a reward that is beyond monetary profit. The homeowners discover a house or property that becomes livable again, with value that comes from open spaces, uncovered treasurers like land and area for activity that can now be pursued. The crew often recovers real treasures from the past that bring joy to those who can appreciate those finds.

It reminds me of the explanation Jesus gave at the close of this text. “A disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”  Jesus is letting his disciples know, those addressed and current disciples too, that there are old words and traditions that retain vital knowledge and wisdom about the character and approach of God that is unchanging. They and you are witnesses of that which is also brand new. In Jesus God came to do a new thing! That which was hidden in the tomb was uncovered in the resurrection, life was the treasure worth everything. Death was found to have no lasting power in the kingdom that comes in Christ. As time on this earth moves forward, new discoveries are made, new experiences are had as we live in this God- given place that we can see are gifts of the kingdom of heaven.  By them we are blessed. As those ideas and gifts are utilized, they will create a closer community and bring loving hope for all.  Then we will indeed come to understand the parables as the kingdom of heaven has actually come near, for us to share as children of that kingdom. That is who you are, God’s children; so live out who you are!