By Sis. Shiella Natoel
Introduction
Jesus introduce parable as a means of teaching “Kingdom” truths (vs.10,11). The purpose of the parables was to make spiritual truths clearer to hearers; to put the truth in a form easily remembered; to avoid offense with hostile people who would not receive the truth, and to declare judgment upon those who were willfully blind. Those inclined to believe found the parable an encouragement to their faith; those to incline to reject Christ would be confirmed on their unbelief, just as Isaiah had predicted. (Matt. 13:14-15, Isa. 6:9-10)
Mystery (as mentioned in vs. 11 and Mark 4:11) – Greek “Musterion” means something formerly hidden but now revealed, which people cannot understand except by divine revelation. The mystery of the Kingdom of God means that the kingdom of God has come in the person of Jesus Nazareth, on His words and works, a kingdom which began to penetrate the human situation in a new way and through His ministry, which awaits ultimately consummation at the end of the age. Only by faith can one recognize in the lowly figure of Jesus of Nazareth, the manifestation of God’s rule. Gaining a grasp of this “mystery” is the theme for the parables.
Body
Of the 40 parables Jesus gave, He made direct references to the Kingdom in vs. 19. “When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.”
These stories clearly relate to different time frames. Some impact the present teaching:
1. The need for the kingdom people to have hearing ears {vv.3-23}
2. The breadth of the kingdom’s spread {vv. 31-35}
3. .the cost of the kingdom’ acquisition {vv. 44-46}
Other relate to the future teaching:
1. the final disposing of the first of the Adversary’s hindrance {vv.36-43}
2.The final imposition of the mixed in gathering from kingdom outreach {vv.47-51}.
In mixing these two aspects of the “Kingdom” as both present and prospective. The message of the kingdom is two-edged and related to two frames of time:
1. God in Christ, is now recovering man from his double loss relationship with God and of ruler-ship under God. He promised this at man’s fall, illustrated in patriarchs and Israel’s history, and now the king has come to begin fully bringing it about. The Kingdom is being realized presently, in partial and personal ways, as it is spread through all the Earth by Holy Spirit’s power in the church.
2. The Kingdom will be realized finally in consummate and conclusive ways only at the return of Jesus Christ and by His reign over all the Earth. What we experience of His triumph now, in part, will then be fully manifested. (1Cor. 15:24; Rev.11:15; 1 Cor.1:13). This complete view allows for our understanding and applying the principles of “Kingdom come,” without into the confusion of expecting now what the Bible says will only be then. (John 3:1-5; Col. 1:13).
Let’s look at the seven (7) parables that were taught by Jesus:
1. First Parable—The Law of Fruit Bearing according to soil (Matt. 13:3-9). Its central message is that the gospel of the kingdom will meet with varying levels of success in the human heart. The significance of soil (13:18:23) shows that the entrance to God’s kingdom is a matter of individual response (Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15). The four kinds of soil described are but from kinds of human hearts, the soil into which the seed of the kingdom truth us to be received and become fruitful.
2. Second Parable—The Law of the good and bad growing together (vv.24-30). The central message of this parable is that the consummated kingdom of God will be different from the present Kingdom will be in a perfected environment of only sons of the Kingdom. Currently, sons of the kingdom and sons of Evil one live together in human society. And this is true:
a. in all human hearts– saints and sinners.
b. in all relations of life—private and public
c. in all the churches and groups of Christians
3. Third Parable— The Law of the Incalculable growth of the Kingdom (vv.31-32). The parable of mustard seed teaches the destined greatness of the Kingdom. The kingdom fulfilled by Jesus now looks insignificant, but its greatness will be apparent in the consummation at the end of age. This means that we have to recognize that faith is decision and obedience rather than ability. Also, understand that obedient faith releases Holy Spirit power to accomplish the task.
4. Fourth Parable– The Law of the Transforming power of kingdom truths (vs. 33). Once truly planted in the human life, it will go on, night and day, year in and year out, changing and transforming the whole life, working automatically and incessantly. At the present is not fully manifested, but at the consummation in the Age to come, it will be known to all. Meanwhile, it does its work of permeating human society, penetrating evil and transforming lives.
5. Fifth Parable– The Law of Discovery and Proper Appreciation of Kingdom truths{v.44).
a. One must make a personal discovery of the great kingdom truths before one can
appreciate them.
b. Once really discovered and understood, however, the process of evaluation and appreciation of these truths grows upon the soul until they become supreme. Meaning we have to recognize that the kingdom of God requires your highest commitment. Understand that the kingdom is worth more than any other pursuit. Be ready to forsake personal goal that hinders your entering into it.
6. Sixth Parable— The Law of the Sacrifice of the lower values of live for the higher
values of the kingdom, (vv.45-46)
a. This law runs through the whole natural life and world.
b. It is equally present in power in the spiritual world.
The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of the great price both stress the superlative value of the kingdom. A common interpretation is that a person should be willing to part with everything in order to possess the kingdom. However, the meaning could be that Jesus is the purchaser who gave His all to secure the kingdom (Acts 20:28).
7. Seven Parable– The Law of the final separation of the good and the bad (vs.47-52).
a. If the good and the bad are now found everywhere together, we maybe assured by
their great law that, ultimately, the good and the bad will be separated.
b. The life of the bad as well as the good demands a final separation of the two.
Conclusion
Jesus followers will understand the lessons taught by parables or will be stimulated to probe for deeper understanding. Those who had already shot their eyes and ears to the truths will not restore the significance of what they are seeing and hearing, consequently will not repent and receive forgiveness. But Christ’s redemption brings us to place of completeness; that is of spiritual adequacy, authority or ability to live victoriously over and above the invisible powers of darkness (vv, 14-16,2:6-10). This becomes functionally true:
1. Live and love as citizens of heavenly kingdom. (Phil.3:20)
2. Utilize this kingdom’s currency, which is irresistible value (Acts 3:6)
3. Operate as ambassadors authorized to offer kingdom peace and reconciliation to
those who are yet in Christ (2 Cor. 5:20).
4. Serve as kingdom militia, girded for prayerful conflict against the dark powers
controlling so much of this present world (Eph. 6:16-20).
The terminology of the kingdom holds more poetic pictures. It is practically applicable to all our living. Let the kingdom of God be with us always.
Jesus introduce parable as a means of teaching “Kingdom” truths (vs.10,11). The purpose of the parables was to make spiritual truths clearer to hearers; to put the truth in a form easily remembered; to avoid offense with hostile people who would not receive the truth, and to declare judgment upon those who were willfully blind. Those inclined to believe found the parable an encouragement to their faith; those to incline to reject Christ would be confirmed on their unbelief, just as Isaiah had predicted. (Matt. 13:14-15, Isa. 6:9-10)
Mystery (as mentioned in vs. 11 and Mark 4:11) – Greek “Musterion” means something formerly hidden but now revealed, which people cannot understand except by divine revelation. The mystery of the Kingdom of God means that the kingdom of God has come in the person of Jesus Nazareth, on His words and works, a kingdom which began to penetrate the human situation in a new way and through His ministry, which awaits ultimately consummation at the end of the age. Only by faith can one recognize in the lowly figure of Jesus of Nazareth, the manifestation of God’s rule. Gaining a grasp of this “mystery” is the theme for the parables.
Body
Of the 40 parables Jesus gave, He made direct references to the Kingdom in vs. 19. “When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.”
These stories clearly relate to different time frames. Some impact the present teaching:
1. The need for the kingdom people to have hearing ears {vv.3-23}
2. The breadth of the kingdom’s spread {vv. 31-35}
3. .the cost of the kingdom’ acquisition {vv. 44-46}
Other relate to the future teaching:
1. the final disposing of the first of the Adversary’s hindrance {vv.36-43}
2.The final imposition of the mixed in gathering from kingdom outreach {vv.47-51}.
In mixing these two aspects of the “Kingdom” as both present and prospective. The message of the kingdom is two-edged and related to two frames of time:
1. God in Christ, is now recovering man from his double loss relationship with God and of ruler-ship under God. He promised this at man’s fall, illustrated in patriarchs and Israel’s history, and now the king has come to begin fully bringing it about. The Kingdom is being realized presently, in partial and personal ways, as it is spread through all the Earth by Holy Spirit’s power in the church.
2. The Kingdom will be realized finally in consummate and conclusive ways only at the return of Jesus Christ and by His reign over all the Earth. What we experience of His triumph now, in part, will then be fully manifested. (1Cor. 15:24; Rev.11:15; 1 Cor.1:13). This complete view allows for our understanding and applying the principles of “Kingdom come,” without into the confusion of expecting now what the Bible says will only be then. (John 3:1-5; Col. 1:13).
Let’s look at the seven (7) parables that were taught by Jesus:
1. First Parable—The Law of Fruit Bearing according to soil (Matt. 13:3-9). Its central message is that the gospel of the kingdom will meet with varying levels of success in the human heart. The significance of soil (13:18:23) shows that the entrance to God’s kingdom is a matter of individual response (Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15). The four kinds of soil described are but from kinds of human hearts, the soil into which the seed of the kingdom truth us to be received and become fruitful.
2. Second Parable—The Law of the good and bad growing together (vv.24-30). The central message of this parable is that the consummated kingdom of God will be different from the present Kingdom will be in a perfected environment of only sons of the Kingdom. Currently, sons of the kingdom and sons of Evil one live together in human society. And this is true:
a. in all human hearts– saints and sinners.
b. in all relations of life—private and public
c. in all the churches and groups of Christians
3. Third Parable— The Law of the Incalculable growth of the Kingdom (vv.31-32). The parable of mustard seed teaches the destined greatness of the Kingdom. The kingdom fulfilled by Jesus now looks insignificant, but its greatness will be apparent in the consummation at the end of age. This means that we have to recognize that faith is decision and obedience rather than ability. Also, understand that obedient faith releases Holy Spirit power to accomplish the task.
4. Fourth Parable– The Law of the Transforming power of kingdom truths (vs. 33). Once truly planted in the human life, it will go on, night and day, year in and year out, changing and transforming the whole life, working automatically and incessantly. At the present is not fully manifested, but at the consummation in the Age to come, it will be known to all. Meanwhile, it does its work of permeating human society, penetrating evil and transforming lives.
5. Fifth Parable– The Law of Discovery and Proper Appreciation of Kingdom truths{v.44).
a. One must make a personal discovery of the great kingdom truths before one can
appreciate them.
b. Once really discovered and understood, however, the process of evaluation and appreciation of these truths grows upon the soul until they become supreme. Meaning we have to recognize that the kingdom of God requires your highest commitment. Understand that the kingdom is worth more than any other pursuit. Be ready to forsake personal goal that hinders your entering into it.
6. Sixth Parable— The Law of the Sacrifice of the lower values of live for the higher
values of the kingdom, (vv.45-46)
a. This law runs through the whole natural life and world.
b. It is equally present in power in the spiritual world.
The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of the great price both stress the superlative value of the kingdom. A common interpretation is that a person should be willing to part with everything in order to possess the kingdom. However, the meaning could be that Jesus is the purchaser who gave His all to secure the kingdom (Acts 20:28).
7. Seven Parable– The Law of the final separation of the good and the bad (vs.47-52).
a. If the good and the bad are now found everywhere together, we maybe assured by
their great law that, ultimately, the good and the bad will be separated.
b. The life of the bad as well as the good demands a final separation of the two.
Conclusion
Jesus followers will understand the lessons taught by parables or will be stimulated to probe for deeper understanding. Those who had already shot their eyes and ears to the truths will not restore the significance of what they are seeing and hearing, consequently will not repent and receive forgiveness. But Christ’s redemption brings us to place of completeness; that is of spiritual adequacy, authority or ability to live victoriously over and above the invisible powers of darkness (vv, 14-16,2:6-10). This becomes functionally true:
1. Live and love as citizens of heavenly kingdom. (Phil.3:20)
2. Utilize this kingdom’s currency, which is irresistible value (Acts 3:6)
3. Operate as ambassadors authorized to offer kingdom peace and reconciliation to
those who are yet in Christ (2 Cor. 5:20).
4. Serve as kingdom militia, girded for prayerful conflict against the dark powers
controlling so much of this present world (Eph. 6:16-20).
The terminology of the kingdom holds more poetic pictures. It is practically applicable to all our living. Let the kingdom of God be with us always.
Published on INCENSE Vol. I, Issue 3, December 2007
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