Parables Of Jesus

Part 4

 

The Kingdom Parables.

The parable of the mustard seed presents a well known fact about the Kingdom of Christ; God’s work starts very small and grows to gargantuan proportions. Daniel prophesied the stone uncut by human hands fell from heaven and crushed the image and became a great mountain, filling the whole earth, Daniel 2:31-45. To know God’s intent, character and design for Christ’s body on earth, is to help us be a part of the victory and blessings.

The Seed Growing of Itself, Mark 4:26-29, (1st Corinthians 3:6). God provides the real increase and strength in each member of the Kingdom. We do not provide anything that is essential. God can raise up children from dead rocks if He wanted, Matthew 3:9. Our small but important job of providing the right environment for the seed to grow is a needed but small effort. God even provides a measure of faith to each of us, according to the word we receive, believe and obey. Romans 12:3.
The Men Sowing Good Seed, Matthew 13:24-30, v38-43, Mark 4:26-29. The citizens of the Kingdom have no business identifying unfruitful Christians.  God will identify and condemn the unfruitful Christian on the last day.  Our job is to persevere and work with them, helping them grow in sincerity and truth, before it is forever too late, Galatians 5:22-23.
A Treasure, Matthew 13:44. Finding the Kingdom can be as much a surprise, as finding a hidden treasure in a field.  The Kingdom is so valuable, it is worth buying the field, you found the treasure in.
A Pearl, Matthew 13:45. Finding the Kingdom may not be a surprise, but the result of a long hard search for what you know to be valuable.  When you finally find the Kingdom in truth, you realize it is truly worth more that what you expected.
A Net, Matthew 13:47-50. Sometimes, the Kingdom can find you!  Like a net being stretched across the waters searching for fish. The Church/Kingdom can pick up all kinds, good and bad, it is only God who is love, who can teach us how to love the unlovable, and even our self.
A Householder Revealing His Treasures Old & New, Matthew 13:51-52. The citizens of the Kingdom are students wanting to share the rich wisdom of God. Old treasures may refer to the Old Testament and new treasures may refer to the New Testament.  However, we view the treasure, it’s the truth worth sharing, not hiding or selling, but show it off!
A King Calling Servant’s Accounts, Matthew 18:23-35. The church/Kingdom should represent the King’s graciousness in forgiving each other’s moral and spiritual debts.  When we sin against each other, we should remember how God forgave us from the cross, Ephesians 4:32.
A Gracious Landowner, Matthew 20:1-16. The church/Kingdom citizens should represent the King’s graciousness and be liberal in our giving of money.  We can surprise people by our generosity, and attract them to the King by His graciousness, Luke 16:9.
A King Making A Marriage Feast, Matthew 22:2-14. The church/Kingdom citizens should represent the King in judgment of one thing.  Are we all wearing the wedding garment? Christ and His Word (The Logos) is our clothing for the great marriage banquet to come, get dressed right! Galatians 3:26-27, Revelation 19:8-9.
The Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13. There are some citizens of the Kingdom acting very foolish and not ensuring they have oil for their lamps. Christians who do not grow the fruit of the Holy Spirit are in trouble, Galatians 5:21-23.  Oil may have an allusion to the Holy Spirit Himself, Exodus 30:23, Psalm 45:7 & Isaiah 61:3.