Notes for BSF
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (Matthew 13:31-50)
Jesus did not interpret the following parables most likely because His disciples told Him that they had understood everything that Jesus had told them (Matthew 13:51).
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed
No matter how small or insignificant the seed of faith may seem, once planted, it will grow to become a magnificent tree. As long as we allow the seed of faith to grow in us, it will continue to grow to become the strongest foundation in our lives.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven
The preaching of the gospel works like leaven in the hearts of those who receive it. Leaven works from within, expanding from inside to out. Similarly, the kingdom of heaven comes from within. It works from within us and expresses outward.
This process describes the Church especially well.
In Genesis 18, Abraham was visited by 3 angels. To welcome them, he asked Sarah to make preparations: "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal" (Genesis 18:6). This was made WITHOUT leaven, because to the Jews, leaven represents sin. And from then on, three measures of meal without leaven is used to represent fellowship offering for honored guests. Hence, this parable would shock the Jews, because how could a symbol of sin be compared to the Kingdom of Heaven?
Matthew 13:33
The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.
While the Jews keep leaven away from all things holy, leaven is used throughout the Gentile world during holy celebrations. For example, leaven is used in the Feast of Pentecost, a celebration that marks the birth of the Church, with the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
What could Jesus be saying here then?
In the three measures of meal, leaven was HIDDEN in it. The Israelites were God's chosen people -- chosen, not because they were the only people to be saved; chosen, because they were to teach the rest of the world about God and thereby bringing them to God. They were to live by God's Word (therefore, sinless -- or, without leaven), so that they can reveal the sins of the world and bring cleansing to the world (which is in sin -- hence, represented by leaven). That is, it has always been God's intention to save ALL (2 Peter 3:9) -- The Jews as the chosen ones; the Gentiles as those who would come to understand God through the Jews (hence, "hidden").
The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure
The Kingdom of God is the true treasure of the world -- a thing so treasured, we should give up everything else in the world to keep it. Nothing we have is worth losing this treasure. As long as we are in the Kingdom of God, we will be blessed and have the best treasure.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls
Like leaven, pearls are unclean to the Jews. Therefore, this passage, similar to the passage about the Kingdom of Heaven being likened to leaven, would be confusing to them. They see no value in pearls and may even be abhorred that the Kingdom of Heaven would be likened to these "unclean" objects! Hence, it is clear that the pearl is not a picture of the Jews. Instead, it is a picture of the church.
The pearl is the end product of agitation. As the clam is agitated, it produces a secretion that after a long period of time, a pearl is formed. Just like the pearl, the Church was formed under a great amount of pressure. It has gone through trials and tribulations, trials and tribulations. Yet, because it endures and survives through all difficulty, the end product shines beautifully with the light of God.
Matthew 13:46
When he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
God the Father loved us so much, He gave up everything -- including His only Son -- to redeem us from eternal sin.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Compared to God’s perfection and love, we are very worthless. We are full of sin -- we are selfish, we are greedy, and we take advantage of anything we can. Yet, to God, we are His children, and despite all of our faults, He still loves us. He loves us so much, He sacrificed Himself to redeem us. There is no greater love that that of God.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet
The kingdom of heaven is like a large net used to catch fish. It is here to save as many souls as possible, like the net that is used to catch as many fish as possible. When the net is full, the fishermen will distinguish between the good and the bad fish -- just as angels will distinguish between the good and the bad souls. The good, they will keep; the bad, they will throw into the furnace of fire (Cf. Matthew 13:39-43).
God's grace gives every one of us the chance to repent and return to Him, but His grace cannot last forever because He is just. And because He is just, God cannot allow sin to continue without judgment. It can be intimidating to envision God in His wrath, but always remember: God is love. God is not a God who enjoys judging evil and punishing evil. God did not make this world to have sin or death. Sin and death came into the world because of pride, through Satan. God will one day deal with Satan once and for all (Revelation), but until then, He is giving the rest of us a chance to be under his love. When we are under His love, we do not need to fear His coming judgment or death!
JESUS IS REJECTED BY HIS HOMETOWN (Matthew 13:53-58)
Jesus was rejected by the people of His hometown, Nazareth. These people either saw Jesus grow up from a baby or grew up with Him. To them, he was a bastard child, who grew up as a carpenter's son with no education and no fortune. How could this boy bring any kind of peace or hope?How could this boy possibly be the Messiah they had been looking for? How could this boy be their King of kings? And because of their unbelief, Jesus left the town having done few miracles.
We should be aware of our personal prejudices. They can blind us and lead us astray.
Note:
The Holy Spirit is consistent in His use of idioms. Birds throughout the Bible, when used in a parable, always represents Satan’s demons, who go and snatch up God’s Word away from people.
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