The kingdom of heaven
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The kingdom of heaven is like … (Matthew 13:44).
Read Matthew 13:44–52
If you asked people what the kingdom of heaven is like, I suspect you would receive many different answers. Some would have to do with the End Times, some with current living, some would quote Jesus directly, and others may refer to the teaching of the prophets.
The kingdom of heaven is like … Why don’t you finish the sentence now? Whether you write your answer down or think about it for a minute, what do you come up with?
In the passage today, Jesus gives four examples. Even though it is a different gospel from yesterday’s, the mysteries continue. While each of these examples from Jesus seems to be clear, there are many different facets highlighted: discovery and excitement (verse 44); valuing something above everything else (verses 45 and 46); sorting out the good from the bad (verses 47 to 50); inclusivity (verse 52).
Which do you identify with most? Since I am picking apples right now, it is sorting the good from the bad. If an apple has been pecked by a bird or insects have burrowed into it, it gets thrown out; those that are healthy and whole are brought in to be eaten, dried or stewed.
But is that even the right question? Are we perhaps meant to take a broader view? Is Jesus using different examples because he has farmers, fishermen, treasure hunters and house owners listening to him? Or is he casting his net wide (pun intended) so we don’t limit our understanding?
It is very easy and very human to put our own understanding on what Jesus says! (After all, preachers have been doing that for years.) But while Jesus checks that the listeners have understood him (verse 51), he then adds a slightly cryptic comment in verse 52 – new things and old things!
I wonder if Jesus isn’t saying, ‘Don’t get too far ahead of yourself. Understand what you can, but be prepared for more surprises. Be prepared for mystery’. Perhaps that is what the kingdom of heaven is like: surprises and mystery.
Teacher Jesus, help me learn from you: apply what I can understand, accept what I cannot, and look forward to the surprise and mystery of grace anew every morning. Amen.
In the early months of the year, Peter is often out in the garden, watering, picking, pruning – chasing the birds away from his fruit! Or he could be indoors stewing, drying and preserving. Peter also enjoys walking the dog, riding his bike, reading and spending time with his family. To keep himself out of mischief, he is teaching himself piano and writing a paraphrase of each psalm – he is now up to Psalm 80.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
