MYSTERIES REVEALED: The Kingdom Parables

Read Matthew 13.

Jesus taught the parables in Matthew 13 as a means of separating the faithful followers from the false followers.  Those who were saved would have the mysteries of the kingdom revealed to them, while those who were lost would be unable to grasp the teaching (v.10-17).

There is the parable of the soils (v.1-9). This one is explained (v.18-23).  Four types of soil indicate the four responses that people make to the Gospel. Only one soil that produces fruit symbolizes those who have true faith.

There is the parable of the wheat and tares (v.24-30), with the explanation (v.36-43). The course of the age will feature both true believers and false converts within Christendom. Satan will see to it that he infiltrates the church, but in the end the truth is revealed in judgment.

There is the parable of the mustard seed (v.31-32).  The course of Christendom has been one of numerical expansion—from a small beginning of only 120 in the Upper Room, to the millions of those who profess Christianity today.  Yet, the birds are there to remind us that Satan is active in this church.

There is the parable of the leaven (v.33). This continues the theme of a mixture of evil with good in Christendom.  Leaven represents sin in Scripture.  False teaching will eventually permeate the kingdom resulting in a false church at the end of the age.

The last three point to the three great works God will do among three classes of people—Jews, Gentiles, and the church of God (see 1 Cor.10:32).

There is the parable of the hidden treasure (v.44) the pearl of great price (v.45-46), and the dragnet (v.47-52).  The hidden treasure is the nation of Israel. God has made covenant promises to the Jews which He will ultimately fulfill in the end times.  The pearl of great price is the church which Christ has purchased with His blood. The dragnet is the missions movement in the world, as God calls us to fish for men. As in the other parables we see a mixture of the true and false are brought into Christendom, to be separated in the end.

THE LEADERS WE NEED

Do government leaders reflect the morals of the people or do government leaders direct the morality of the people?  Are they thermometers or thermostats?  Some of both, I think. Since the leaders come from among the people, they should be expected to often be as the people, but since they have influence over the citizens, they make a difference in the climate of the culture.  For good or bad, government leaders can set the tone, even as they are sons of the times.  Proverbs 29 has something to say about this.

1.  LEADERS CAN BRING BURDENS OR BLESSINGS.   “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” (‭v.2‬). We can rejoice the day that a good leader is elected, but will rue the day that a godless one is.

2. LEADERS CAN UNDERGIRD OR UNDERMINE.  
“The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.” (v.4‬).  The leader’s policies will be built on a foundation of stone or sand.

3. LEADERS CAN BE WISE OR WICKED. “If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.” (v.12‬).  A leader’s administration will feature those of delightful or demonic counsel, mirroring the leader’s heart.

4. LEADERS CAN BE COMPASSIONATE OR CRUEL.  “The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.” (v.14‬). How the powerful relate to the powerless says much about the leaders.

5.  LEADERS MAY BRING EARTHLY REWARD, BUT THE LORD BESTOWS ETERNAL REWARD. “Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.” (v.26‬).  It may be that God’s people get no justice here, but they are guaranteed by a Sovereign God to get it hereafter!

King David was Solomon’s father.  Solomon, who penned these words had a son, Rehoboam who would become king.  David was a man after God’s own heart, and a great king—though not a perfect man.  Solomon succeeded his father and was superior in the material prosperity and military power he brought to the kingdom, but declined over time spiritually.  Just read Ecclesiastes to see how he spiraled downward. Rehoboam’s reign would degenerate further and the kingdom would deteriorate and divide.  The nation would never be the same.

It has been said that, “In a democracy, people get the leaders they deserve.” Nations are born, grow strong, decline, and die. It is comforting to know that the Kingdom of God abides forever!

THE KINGDOM COME

So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever.  (Micah 4:7b)

Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father, “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  (Matt.6:10)  He means to literally answer that petition that has been countlessly offered for two thousand years.  The fourth chapter of Micah tells us of a future time—much closer now than ever—when the kingdoms of men are supplanted by the kingdom of God.

Our Lord was born into this world to be Lord and Savior, yet rejected by man.  Jesus presented Himself to Israel as their Messiah.  He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, but within days they demanded His crucifixion.  There is coming a day, when the King who rode on a donkey into the city of David will the next time ride into Jerusalem on a white horse as King of kings.  The return of Jesus to Jerusalem will usher in earth’s golden age (v.1-2).  The nation of Israel that last saw Him crowned Him with thorns will see Him crowned with glory!  A new temple will be built, with all people flowing into it for worship.  Jews and Gentiles will be gathered to study His Word and submit to His will.

This violent, war-wracked world will see an industry of selling arms, transformed into supporting agriculture (v.3-5) for the Prince of Peace will reign in Zion.  At the outset of the Millennium—the thousand year reign of Christ—the nations will be gathered for judgment.  The sheep will be divided from the goats—the saved separated from the sinners.  All who enter that kingdom will be those who are God’s redeemed.  Tragically, the rest will be cast into hell.  

The lame will be made to walk, the outcast will be welcomed, the afflicted will be healed—all that Jesus previewed in His first coming will be realized fully in His second coming (v.6-8).  That thousand year reign on earth will give way to the eternal state, voiced in the Hallelujah Chorus, “and He shall reign forever and ever!”  (Rev.11:15b).  

The Jews—now hated and across the ages persecuted—will in that day be delivered.  The suffering brought on by rejecting Christ will be reversed when they receive Him.  A new world order will be birthed, but first the labor pains of the tribulation will be experienced (v.9-10).  Following the rapture of the church, there will come seven years of God’s wrath being poured out on a Christ-rejecting world.  The last half will be the Great Tribulation—three and one half years of unprecedented horror.  The effect on the Jews, however, will be to drive them to cry out for their King—and Christ will return to save the seed of Abraham.

At the climax of those seven years, all the nations will encircle Jerusalem—the battle of Armageddon will ensue (v.11-13).  In their folly, the rulers of earth will gather to war against Christ—and the battle is over as soon as it is begun.  Israel is delivered as God’s wheat by the threshing of tribulation, while the sinners are as chaff to be blown away.

Looking about at what is happening now—seeing the suffering wrought by sin—wrings from my throat a cry to the skies, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”  (Rev.22:20b).  With great expectation, may we join our prayer to those voiced across the centuries and repeated in churches around the globe today, “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  (Mark 1:11)

It is difficult to end up in the right place, if you don’t start out on the right track!  A key to finishing well is beginning well. What we find in our text is the beginning of Christ’s public ministry.  The events recorded here provided the point of departure on a course of obedience to His Father that would lead Him to say, “It is finished”—the race is run, the journey is done, and the victory is won!  That is how I want to end!  Jesus shows us how to get on the right track.

There was THE WITNESS THAT HE SHARED (v.9-13).  If we are on the right track, others should be able to see it!  The witness wasn’t merely declared by His lips, but demonstrated by His life.

We observe the witness of His virtue (v.9-11). “You are my beloved Son….”  From the time of Christ’s appearance at the age of twelve in the temple to his baptism at the age of thirty, there are eighteen hidden years of maturing. He passed that part of His schooling!  God doesn’t develop His leaders in a microwave, but a crock pot!  Then He steps into public view. Baptism was a testimony of His identification with sinners and mission to die and rise again.  It was another step of obedience. 

We note the witness of His victory (v.12-13) “tempted by Satan….”  This was the biggest test yet.  Jesus passed with impeccable credentials!   He was with the wild beasts as the Last Adam—in harmony with earth.  The angels come and ministered to Him after this great battle—He was in harmony with heaven.

There were THE WORDS THAT HE SPOKE (v.14-15).  If we are on the right track, we should be able to tell others how to get on it!  From out of the fountain of His pure heart, flowed these powerful words from His mouth. 

Consider the source of the message (v.14) “the kingdom of God….”  The kingdom of God is the rule of Heaven over all.  As in every kingdom, there are laws, which govern the conduct of the citizens.  Notice that John had been proclaiming that message and now that his voice is soon to be silenced in death, Jesus will take up the message.  God always has someone to lead us on the right track.  In every generation, He raises up witnesses to the truth.

Furthermore, we find the substance of the message (v.15)“Repent, and believe….”  This is the core message of the Bible.  It is still our message for today. Being on the right track means that both repentance and faith are present in order not to derail!

There were THE WORKERS THAT HE SUMMONED (v.16-20).  Being on the right track means we show it by our life and share it with our lips, but also, that we summon others to join us on the trip.

We hear a call to follow (v.16-17a; 18-20) “Follow Me….”  To follow Him is to forsake all else (v.20).  There is just one right track—everything else is a detour.

We have a call to fish (v.17b) “I will make you fishers of men.”  Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  He calls us to fish for souls of men!  There are plenty of fish.  The Gospel is the net.  Apart from Him, we cannot catch men, but apart from us, He will not.  This is our job.  Bring them in!