In chapter 13 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus clearly states that these parables are about what the kingdom of God is like. We see that it is the reign of God in the lives of ordinary men and women: all those who have responded, or will respond, to the call of the gospel. It is not a physical kingdom but a spiritual one. The kingdom, therefore, has no physical geographical territory, and so possesses no physical boundary. Its beginnings are humble, yet it steadily increases, growing with kingly power, until it extends its rule to every corner of the earth. If we have understood these parables, then we understand these basic facts concerning the nature, establishment, and growth of the kingdom of heaven.

However, Jesus used different types of parables, and not all are presented in the same story form. In addition to the familiar narratives of the sower and the seed, and the wheat and the tares, where many seeds are sown in both stories, and many crop stems appear as a result; Jesus also tells the parables of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) and the yeast (v.33).  

The mustard seed was the smallest of seeds commonly sown in the Judea of Jesus’ day. So insignificantly small, in fact, that a bird might scarcely choose to peck such a minor morsel. But, once planted, this seed can grow to such glorious heights that myriads of birds will flock to nest in the rich canopy of its branches. God’s work in the world, Jesus says, is just like that. It may appear small and insignificant in its beginnings but will grow so great that a new heaven and a new earth will be needed to hold the final, complete fullness of its glory (Revelation 21:1).

Similarly, a modicum of yeast which may be blended into a whole basin of flour, will so pervade and penetrate the mix that its raising, expanding effects will be seen to permeate every inch of the dough. Jesus informs us that God’s work of grace is just like that. If God is truly at work in your life, as he is at work in the world, then you can be sure there is much more going on in your life than either you or others, at the present time, can visibly see.  

After dismissing the crowds (Matthew 13:36), Jesus addresses his disciples in private, sets aside his storytelling, and proceeds to utter a series of forcefully concise and pithy sayings (vv.44-52), which, unlike the earlier longer stories, and more like the latter parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, continue to have a unique, specific, and individual emphasis. Though extremely brief, these are given to encourage us. 

Is the Christian life worth all the inconvenience, inherent persecution and personal sacrifice? Jesus explains, as he leaves three final images swimming, inspiringly, in the heads of his disciples: here is a tenant farmer working in a field, who stumbles across a box of buried treasure (v.44). He isn’t looking for treasure, but he finds it and rejoices. Recognising the true value of such a discovery, he willingly parts with everything he has in order to possess that field with its hidden, secret trove. The kingdom of heaven, Jesus says, is like that. Here is a merchant who deals in nothing else but the finest of pearls (vv.45-46). Always seeking for the very best, he comes across one pearl that so excels in beauty and lustre that it dwarfs all others. With this one pearl the merchant is wholly satisfied and sells all that he has to buy it. The kingdom of God, Jesus reassuringly tells us, is just like that. Have you found anything so precious, a treasure so bountiful?  If so, how much is it worth to you?

Local congregation:
Grace Communion Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall
Main Street
Farcet
Peterborough
PE7 3AN

Meeting time:
Sunday 11.00 am

Local congregational contact:
Richard Dempsey
Email:  richard.dempsey@btinternet.com
Local church website: GRACE COMMUNION CHURCH PETERBOROUGH – Landing Page

Word of Life contact: 
wordoflife@gracecom.church