Kingdom Information


by Dee Bowman
 
A parable is a short, pithy message intended to teach a moral truth. In the New Testament, the word translates a Greek term parabole, which “denotes a placing beside” (Vine). Our word is from Latin combination of para, beside, and ballien, to throw; and so, to throw alongside of. It is, and always has been, a very effective way of “bringing home” some moral lesson.

No one ever used the parable more effectively than did the Master Teacher. When you read His parables, you see just how simple His teaching was. It was not a maze of intellectual jargon, not a confederation of various theological arguments strung together by a difficult esoteric terms. Rather, his teachings were simple looks at everyday things which, in turn, practically illustrated some eternal truth. Matthew 13 provides a good example of Jesus’ use of parables in His teaching. In this section, Jesus shows things about His coming Kingdom based on everyday things. For instance:

The parable of the Sower (13:1-23) illustrates that the kingdom is founded by sowing seed in the hearts of men. Actually the Sower is a parable about hearing. It teaches that some will hear and some will not. How busy we should be making sure that hearts receive the seed! We are not responsible for how men receive the word, but we are terribly responsible for whether or not they have the opportunity. Let us sow, brethren.

The parable of the Tares (13:24-30; 37-43) shows how the Kingdom must exist in the presence of evil likenesses. The only way to tell for sure what is right and what is not, what is authentic and what is not, what is true and what is false, is to let the word of God speak. Be sure of this, God will judge. And He will eventually cast out what is not right, what is not authentic, and what is not true. This parable says it. And The Book says which is which. Let us consider it carefully.

The parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32) teaches how the Kingdom can grow up from small beginnings. Just as this tiny seed can grow into a great tree, even so the Kingdom of God can begin with just a few and become a very large. But the seed must be sown. Nobody is exempt from sowing. We all can. Let us sow.

The parable of the Leaven (13:33-34) tells us how the Kingdom can spread through any society and under any and all conditions. The Kingdom went everywhere in the New Testament times because “they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts. 8:4). The Kingdom cannot spread, however, when the leaven lies dormant. The bread will never rise until the yeast is inserted. Let us make sure we spread the word.

The parables of the Pearl of Great Price and the Treasure (13:45-47) are examples of the value of the Kingdom message. It’s so important that it’s worth whatever one has to pay to get it. But the kingdom message will not be made available where there is selfishness and greed instead of alacrity, concern and commitment.

The Kingdom of God is a spiritual union between The King and His subjects, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist on the earth. The rule of the Savior in the hearts and lives of men is what the kingdom is all about. It is true, furthermore, that this Kingdom doesn’t end here—but there. It is an eternal Kingdom. Let us persevere, let us resist the temptation to spend our lives in the pursuit of the trivial and insignificant, non-eternal things. The kingdom of God is universal in scope; it is for all men. The subjects of the King, if they are true to their commitment, are assured of victory over the world, victory over Satan, victory over death. Who could ask for more?