"24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. 27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. 29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”(Want a Different Translation? Click Here!)
I can't help but notice a couple of important points in Jesus' parable of the farmer and the field. First, I believe that there are people who claim to be Christians, that are in fact not. They are weeds that are mixed in with the crop. However, just as Jesus shared with us, we will never be able to be separated from the crop until the final judgement. I think this can also mean that there are going to be times when we won't be able to identify who these people are. I don't think, though, that this means we should begin to question whether or not we are weeds or crop. Ultimately by taking a look at our relationship with Jesus, both our heart and our actions, we can tell where we are. The next parable Jesus used was comparing the Kingdom to a mustard seed. I see this as Jesus saying that His Kingdom isn't like other kingdoms. It doesn't arrive in force, but very subtle. When the Kingdom of God arrives in a person's life, it starts off small. Over time it grows and becomes a large, strong tree! Finally Jesus uses the illustration of yeast in dough and how just a little bit of it will greatly affect the entire batch. I see this as saying that if you are genuinely and truly a citizen of the Kingdom of God, then even it's humble small beginnings will spread and greatly affect the entirety of your life! It isn't something that can be compartmentalized!!!
Matthew 13.44-52:
"44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. 48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, 50 throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” 52 Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”
Here Jesus lets us know just how valuable the Kingdom of God really is. It's something that if a person were to realize what it is and everything that is a part of it, he/she would give EVERYTHING to be a part of it and have it! I love what Jesus says here in verse 52. What Jesus says here is that the Old Testament is still important. A teacher of religious law would have been very well versed in the Old Testament and would have been able to teach it well. A disciple of the Kingdom of Heaven would be able to see the new things that Jesus would reveal/explain. I just think that's pretty cool to see Jesus say right here. =)
"Father thank You for loving us! I pray that You would help us understand the value of Your Kingdom and the impact that it has in our lives and our world! I pray that You would help us to redirect our lives and live more purposefully for You! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
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