Back to the Bible: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-58
Jesus told several parables in them He compared the kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustard seed, leaven in flour, a treasure hidden in a field, a pearl of great value, and a net that gathered fish of every kind.
Jesus used these parables to teach that the kingdom:
though starting small, it would turn into something significant. One of the great testimonies to the way of Jesus is that one man from a backwater town became the most famous person on the planet and has changed the world.
would spread little by little until it had grown to full size. This points to the way the kingdom advances. It grows one by one as people give their allegiance to the Lord.
was worth forsaking all in order to obtain. There is nothing worth holding on to instead of the kingdom. The value of being a kingdom citizen means we should embrace it with joy, no matter the cost.
would seem to gather good and bad, but that there would be a final separation at the end. Many will claim to give their allegiance to the King, but only those who are loyal to Him will remain with Him in the end.
Jesus asked His disciples if they understood what He was saying. They said that they did. Jesus said that given their training they could be like someone who could draw old and new treasures out of their house. They would be able to draw on Jesus’ teaching in their own work.
After the parables, Jesus went to Nazareth, where He grew up, to teach in their synagogue. They were amazed and couldn’t believe His teaching and His works. They knew His mom, dad, brothers, and sisters. Where did He get all of this?
The text says they were offended at Him. Jesus said that a prophet would be honored everywhere, except at home. He didn’t do many miracles there because of their lack of belief.
Lessons to Learn:
Ponder the parables. The purpose of the parables was to make heavenly truths understandable, but that will require us considering Jesus’ words carefully. Don’t miss what He’s saying. We have an opportunity to be citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Think about what Jesus’ words mean and whether or not you have applied them to your life.
Don’t let familiarity breed contempt. The people at Nazareth thought they knew everything they needed to know about Jesus. But, in reality, they barely had a slice of the story. Sometimes we think we know what Jesus is all about and maybe you’re not all that interested. But, it may very well be that you don’t have the whole story. Search Him out and you will find Him to be extraordinary.
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