In the parable of the sower and the seeds, we learn that God's purpose is to produce fruit through His children by His word. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus revealed the trustworthiness of His character. He allows the evil among us to grow until the harvest, giving the opportunity for all who will turn to Him. In the end, God alone will judge and separate those who belong to Him from those who belong to the evil one. In this parable, another mystery is revealed. Jesus gave a glimpse into the reality of this world and an eternal perspective on the painful things that we experience. In this parable, God reveals another eternal mystery from a heavenly perspective.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
The Kingdom of God is unlike any other kingdom. God alone recognizes its value. God alone is able to pay the price to buy it. He not only bought the treasure, He was willing to buy it all in order to protect it.
Before the crucifixion, Pilate questioned Jesus about the kingdom.
John 18
33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Christ’s kingdom is a project begun before the first day of creation. His kingdom is made of the people redeemed and adopted into the family of God. It is made up of men and women from every tribe, language, and continent. Instructions were given about it, beginning with daily walks in Eden’s garden, then in the desert with Abraham, and written on tables of stone upon Sinai. The reason God gave His precious son to die was to purchase the eternal freedom of the citizens who recognize and love the King. Notice Jesus’ answer to Pilate is not that His Kingdom is not “in” this world, but that it is not “of” this world. The price has been fully paid for every human being to be reconciled to God for all of eternity, but the world has been, is, and will be filled with those who will not accept Christ’s gift and surrender to His authority. He purchased the whole field, and His children are hidden within it. Like the man in this parable, Heaven gave the best that it had, Our Lord Jesus himself. Jesus paid it all.
Phillipians 2:18:
But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
A good rule of thumb is that when Jesus repeats a thought, it is important to pay attention. The kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
For now, evil seems to win the day. People appear to get away with doing the cruelest things to the most vulnerable. Liars are promoted. Abusers are not punished. Men and women shake their fists in the face of God, and lightning doesn’t always fall from heaven. But don’t be deceived. God is “longsuffering, not willing that any should perish.” “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” God is merciful, and He is gracious, but He is also holy and just. A day of separation, of weeping, and painful resolution is coming. Like a net full of creatures drawn from the sea, God’s children and those who reject His Son live together and good and bad happens to them all. But, this world is a temporary thing, and our souls are not. No one will have an excuse when they stand before God, they will have the blood applied or they will be cast away for all of eternity. Christ left nothing undone. “Today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time.”
51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
A scribe is a recorder of words, in this case, God’s word. Children of God, if you do understand the consummation, or the end that God will bring to this earth, then you are responsible for what you know. From Genesis to Revelation, God has revealed his purpose, His mercy, and the righteous authority of King Jesus, the mystery of the Kingdom of God is revealed in you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Live like you know.
Thank you for studying for us! God bless!
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