Introduction
Jesus’ teaching on
the kingdom of God (not a location or time in history--but the sphere
of God’s reign, wherever people recognize his authority &
experience the blessings of living under his reign). Matthew records
three teachings on this subject--the righteousness of the kingdom
(Matt. 5-7), the coming of the kingdom at the end of the age (Matt.
24,25), and tonight’s subject--the mystery of the
kingdom (Matt. 13).
Jesus tells a
series of parables (recorded in Matt. 13; Mk. 4; Lk. 8) whose
common theme is “the mystery of the kingdom” (read
Mark 4:11). “Mystery” does not mean something
obscure and complicated, but something hidden until now (read
Matt. 13:34,35). The “mystery of the kingdom”
therefore refers to a portion of God’s kingdom that was not
revealed to the Old Testament prophets. So in order to understand
and profit from these parables, we must first understand what the Old
Testament prophets taught about the coming of the kingdom of God.
Unlike other
ancient religions, they taught that the human situation was not
normal. Rather, because of humanity’s rebellion against God we
live in an “evil age” characterized by death and
brokenness. But God has not abandoned humanity--he has worked
through the nation of Israel to provide humanity with a revelation of
his true nature, and he will bring from Israel his Messiah. And when
Messiah comes, he will completely overthrow this evil age and
establish a new order in which the whole world experiences the
blessing of God’s loving reign.
So history is not
meaningless (atheism), nor is it cyclical (pantheism), nor is it
leading to a classless workers’ utopia (Marxism) or a
technological utopia (Star Trek) or dystopia (Matrix). History is
leading to the rule of God’s Messiah!
Jesus affirmed all
of this--but he revealed that the coming of Messiah’s kingdom
would have an unanticipated portion. Before Messiah’s decisive
coming (which we now call the “Second Coming,” Messiah
would come not as a King--but as an “Anonymous Servant,”
not to rule--but to serve by laying down his life as a payment for
human sin. And this coming would inaugurate an invasion of God’s
kingdom in the midst of this evil age. This portion of the
kingdom of God will be different from the kingdom in its fullness in
several important ways.
So the key to
understanding these parables is to ask: “What do they teach
about God’s kingdom that is different than the Old
Testament view?”
This is not merely
an academic exercise--because these parables describe the period of
history in which we live! If we want to understand God’s
purpose for our individual lives, we must understand God’s plan
for humanity and what stage of God’s plan we’re in. They
also explain key features of true Christianity, and they warn us
against important mistakes to avoid.
So let’s survey each of these parables and
glean some important application from them . . .
Sower & Soils
Read Matt. 13:3-9.
Jesus helps us get started by explaining the meaning of this
parable--read Luke 8:11-14.
The Old Testament taught that when the kingdom of
God of came, it will be imposed by an irresistible King
(cf. Dan. 2,7).
But during the
“mystery” portion of God’s kingdom, it is not
imposed by kingly force--it is spread through a resistible
message. The four soils
represent four ways (non-exhaustive list) people can respond to this
good news. I have had all of these responses! At one time, I simply
rejected it and forgot it. Another time, I received eagerly but
wanted Jesus to be my Genie, and dropped him when he wouldn’t.
Since receiving Christ, I have allowed materialistic lusts and
worries to sidetrack me. And when I have responded with honest
hunger, I have experienced its power to change my life and draw
others to God through me.
So what? Why is
this important for us to understand?
For one thing,
Jesus is teaching that Christianity should be spread by communicating
the good news and inviting people to receive it--not by coercing
people! Unlike the Qur’an, which authorizes the use of force
to convert people to Islam, Jesus condemns any historical form of
Christianity that attempts to covert by force (INQUISITIONS;
CRUSADES; CROMWELL). We should be ambassadors of God’s
kingdom--modeling, inviting, persuading--but never manipulating or
intimidating.
From the
standpoint of those who hear this message, Jesus is emphasizing the
important implications of your response. Only a positive response to
this message results in a fruitful life. God upholds your freedom to
reject this message--but it is God’s message, and it can have
tremendous impact for good in your life if you receive it.
Wheat & Tares
Read
Matt. 13:24-30. One more time, Jesus explains this parable to
us. After this, we’re on our own--read Matt. 13:37-41.
The Old Testament
taught that when God’s kingdom came, God would separate those
who belong to him from those who don’t (cf. Dan. 12;
Matt. 3:11,12).
But during the
“mystery” portion of God’s kingdom, it is God’s
will for those who belong to him to live together in the world with
those who don’t belong to him (and who are even hostile to
him). Any attempt to separate God’s people from the rest of
humanity before the end of the age is a disaster.
So what? Why is
this important for us to understand?
For one thing, it
condemns the Christian “ghetto” strategy (MONASTIC
MOVEMENT; AMERICAN FUNDAMENTALISM & CHRISTIAN SUB-CULTURE). God
does not want his people top withdraw from human society; he wants us
to be SALT and LIGHT--associating with lost people so that our
distinctness (God’s love and life) can attract them to
Christ.
Dragnet
Jesus tells
another parable that is very similar to the wheat and tares--but
which makes a slightly different point. Read Matt. 13:47-49.
Like the previous
parable, Jesus affirms that when God’s kingdom comes in its
fullness, God would separate those who belong to him from those who
don’t (cf. Isa. 41:15,16; Jer. 15:7).
But during its
“mystery” phase, God’s kingdom will sweep up into
its sphere of influence people who do not really belong to God. (The
net has never been made that catches only walleye and never carp.)
Only at the end of the age will many of these people be fully exposed
and judged.
So what? Why is
this important for us to understand?
We should not be
surprised by the many wicked people who have taught and done horrible
things in the name of Jesus (cf. Matt. 24:4,5,11 - CULT
LEADERS). Others have been innocuous by comparison, but communicate
a boring and lifeless Christianity (2 Tim. 3:5 - MAINLINE
MINISTERS). Jesus predicted that Satan would seek to discredit God’s
kingdom by infiltrating it in this way.
This is one reason
why the New Testament emphasizes the importance of learning God’s
Word. We don’t live in a spiritually friendly (or even
neutral) world. People who naively follow anyone who claims to
believe in Jesus, graduated from seminary, is a charismatic preacher,
etc. can have their lives spiritually (and sometimes physically)
destroyed. Only by learning the Word and using it to test teachings
and leaders can we be discern and reject the counterfeit and embrace
the genuine! I value your trust, but not your unconditional trust!
You do me no favors by relying on what I say--check it out with the
Bible!
Mustard Seed & Leaven
Read Matt.
13:31-33. These two parables teach a very different contrast between
the kingdom in its fullness and that of its “mystery”
phase.
The Old Testament
taught that when God’s kingdom comes, its domination will be
total and instantaneous. It will come in a dramatic way, and it will
cover the whole earth.
But during its
“mystery” phase, God’s kingdom will start in such a
small way that it seems insignificant. Think of Jesus and his band
of blue-collar followers. Think of how people assumed that his death
snuffed out the whole crazy project. Think of the odds against his
followers in the first century. Yet in spite of its smallness and
apparent insignificance, the Christian movement is an underground
miracle. It has the power to grow and spread by transforming one
life at a time.
Treasure & Pearl
Read
Matt. 13:44-46. These two parables teach a related but
different contrast between the kingdom in its fullness and that of
its “mystery” phase.
The Old Testament
taught that when God’s kingdom comes, its coming will be
anything but hidden--it will be absolutely unmistakable (Isa. 13,24;
Dan. 7).
But during its
mystery phase, God’s kingdom is hidden in the sense that you
have to look for it like these merchants. It won’t knock you
over and sweep you off your feet. Yet it is indeed God’s
kingdom, and therefore precious beyond all price.
So what? Why is
this important for us to understand?
For one thing,
finding Jesus is the greatest discovery that you will ever make! You
may stumble upon him without really looking for him (i.e., through a
friend), or you may find him in your search for meaning and
significance. His gift of forgiveness seems too good to be true--but
it is true. His Holy Spirit makes you alive to God and able to
experience his personal love. His guidance fills your life with
significance. His comfort during suffering is precious beyond all
words. Though at the time you may be tentative, the positive
consequences of this decision just keep growing and growing. Have
you ever asked Christ to come into your life? Is today the day that
you will?
For another thing,
serving Jesus and helping to advance his kingdom is a privilege that
is worth any sacrifice. You don’t make sacrifices to gain
Christ (unlike these parables), but once you gain Christ you realize
that any sacrifice is a bargain. When you experience God’s
love through Jesus, you realize that the only appropriate response is
to give him your whole life--your time, your relationships, your
possessions, your plans, your career, etc.--and ask him to use you
and everything connected to you to spread his kingdom to others (as
per “Lord’s Prayer”). This alone makes life truly
fulfilling! Have you ever done this?
Copyright 2004 Gary DeLashmutt