What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
As we continue with our Lenten reading plan, 40 Days With the Storyteller, you may have noticed that days 11-14 all refer to the Kingdom of Heaven. But what exactly does that mean?
John MacArthur writes:
“Although the precise phrase is not found there, the kingdom of heaven is basically an Old Testament concept. David declares that ‘the Lord is King forever and ever’ (Psalm 10:16), that His kingdom is everlasting, and that His dominion ‘endures throughout all generations’ (Psalm 145:13). Daniel speaks of ‘the God of heaven [who] will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed’ (Daniel 2:44), a ‘kingdom [that] is an everlasting kingdom’ (Daniel 4:3). The God of heaven is the King of heaven, and the heavenly kingdom is God’s kingdom.”
The Kingdom of Heaven is not just the place we go when we die, it is the spiritual reign and dominion of God, now and for eternity. The Kingdom of Heaven is here on Earth in the hearts of His people.
Let’s take a look at some of the parables for this week that refer to this kingdom.
The Growing Seed
Day 11 – Mark 4:26-29
And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” – Mark 4:26-29
There is hidden, dormant life in a seed. God has created the conditions of the human heart, like the conditions of the earth, for the seed of His Kingdom to sprout and grow, and ultimately bear fruit.
Praise God that He has prepared our hearts to receive Him!
FOCUS: God has prepared the conditions for growth
QUESTION: Think about an area in which God wants you to grow in in your life. In what ways has God already prepared you or your circumstances to support this growth?
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
Day 12 – Matthew 13:31-33
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” – Matthew 13:31-33
Do not despise small beginnings! Most Kingdom growth is one on one – one person loving and serving another, and planting the seeds of truth and hope. It is not glamorous, and it may take a long time to see an impact.
“The scope of the parable of the seed sown, is to show that the beginnings of the gospel would be small, but its latter end would greatly increase; in this way the work of grace in the heart, the kingdom of God within us, would be carried on.” – Matthew Henry
FOCUS: What may seem small and inconsequential has mighty power when it comes from God.
QUESTION: What is something small in your life that has great power? Have you ever seen a big impact from a small decision/action?
Treasure and Judgement
Day 13 – Matthew 13: 44-50
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Matthew 13: 44-50
The parables of the treasure and pearl shift focus from the nature of the kingdom to its value. There is nothing of greater value than choosing God! Everything else is as dust compared to Him. The Israelites of Jesus’ day would have understood the buried treasure and the pearl as we understand a bank account – a place where you store your earthly gains.
“You may say that the treasure is the blessing that comes from Christianity, or the inward wealth of a submissive heart, or may use various modes of expression, but below them all lies this one great thought, that it is laid on my heart, dear brethren, to try and lay on yours now, that, when all is said and done, the only possession that makes us rich is–is what? God Himself. For that is the deepest meaning of the treasure.” – Alexander MacLaren
The parable of the net is a stern reminder that there will some day be an accounting. We must choose where our true treasure is, and invest in it!
FOCUS: Being part of God’s eternal kingdom is our greatest treasure.
QUESTION: How do you understand the treasure in today’s parables? Did anything especially grab your attention in today’s reading?
New and Old Treasures
Day 14 – Matthew 13:51-52
“Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” – Matthew 13:51-52
Treasure is treasure – whether it was acquired twenty years ago or yesterday. God will continue to give you treasure in His Word every day of your life. He is so faithful to give us what we need, by the power of His Holy Spirit, in the moment we need it!
“A skillful, faithful minister of the gospel, is a scribe, well versed in the things of the gospel, and able to teach them. Christ compares him to a good householder, who brings forth fruits of last year’s growth and this year’s gathering, abundance and variety, to entertain his friends. Old experiences and new observations, all have their use. Our place is at Christ’s feet, and we must daily learn old lessons over again, and new ones also.” – Matthew Henry
FOCUS: God continues to give His children treasure throughout their lives.
QUESTION: What new treasure have you recently acquired through God’s Word?
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