Contemplating the Kingdom of Heaven

[Jesus] put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." (Matthew 13:31-52 NRSV)


To understand the images in these parables almost requires that we think like first-century Israelites; that we know what they knew...

First the mustard seed and the ‘tree’ it produces: we shouldn’t be mislead by Jesus referring to the mustard plant as a tree – for it never grew to more than a shrub. An annual at that, which would wither and die at the end of the growing season. Those listening to Jesus might have been quite surprised that he would refer to a mustard plant as a tree. The importance of this image is not that a great tree like a mighty oak grew from this tiny seed, but the realization that the kingdom of heaven might not be any more obvious than a garden plant, yet the kingdom will come in God’s power and glory nevertheless!

Then the yeast – not the sanitized powder we know that comes from a packet purchased at the grocery store – but smelly, often moldy, fermenting left-over dough like a sourdough starter – this yeast was a symbol of corruption, something to be avoided by the Jews. Bread which was used in the temple at that time was unleavened – made without the corruption of such leaven. The woman in this text places her leaven in a large quantity of flour – as though she was planning to prepare bread for many, many people – yet the text does not say that she actually finished making that bread. Instead, the yeast is still at work to leaven the flour. In the same way, the kingdom is present now, hidden and working by unexpected and even scandalous means. It is recognized by only a few people, although it will be revealed to everyone in the future.

Both of these images tell something about the kingdom itself. The next two show us two very different ways of discovering it. The hidden treasure is found in a field – probably by someone plowing, intent on doing his regular work, who was not expecting anything special or unusual. He experienced great joy at finding this amazing treasure – and rushed off to do something about it, to claim it for himself.

In contrast, the pearl of great value is found by a merchant who has been searching long and hard for it. He knows what he is looking for, and yet he is still surprised when he finds it! But he too, is willing to give up everything else in order to buy this one pearl.

Isn’t it true that we know some people who are just living their lives, walking and working and not aware of anything missing in their lives? And they are joyfully amazed to discover God – as if he had not been there all along. We know other people who are clearly searching for something – for meaning and purpose, for love and a sense of belonging – who are equally surprised to discover that God is there for them, too. Whether we are surprised at our daily work or as a result of a search, these two images describe the response to the discovery of God! For neither the farmer plowing nor the merchant simply returns to their usual way of life after this tremendous discovery. Instead, they give up all that they have; change everything in their lives; in order to claim the treasure.

Jesus uses another image in this text - fish nets. These are often mentioned in the gospels – James and John were mending their nets when Jesus calls them to become disciples (Mark 1), Peter casts out his nets again when the risen Christ instructs him to and brings in a tremendous catch of fish (John 21). But this time, the parable says the net brings in fish of every kind. Only later are the bad ones sorted out from the good.

Jesus asked the disciples “Have you understood all this?” and they answered “Yes.” From the apostles, who often don’t seem to get it – there seems to be complete understanding on this subject! So do we get it?

I won’t claim to have complete understanding of the kingdom of God, but I do have a better understanding after spending time this week with this text (and a whole stack of commentaries!)
I have learned that the kingdom of heaven is revealed - in God’s own perfect time:

+ from the small and insignificant – like a mustard seed and the bush that grows from it;

+ from something regarded as unlikely or unclean – like the fermented leaven;

+ from the unexpected discovery – like the treasure found when we aren’t even looking;

+ from the hidden which has long been searched for – like the pearl of great value ;

+ from the nets full of every kind of fish – both good and evil; to be sorted later.

Tiny seeds, baking leaven, unlikely treasure, a single incredible pearl, fish nets full of fish…

Yes - we can understand this! We too are like the masters of a household who know where our treasure is. We can recall the stories of all that God has already done, marvel at what God is doing now, and trust in what God promises yet to do. You see, these images all point clearly to God's action in the world through Jesus Christ our Savior:

+ Jesus, born as a tiny, apparently insignificant baby in Bethlehem.

+ Jesus, who died a criminal’s death on a cross.

+ Jesus, who was raised to eternal life.

+ Jesus, who ascended to the right hand of God.

+ Jesus, who will come again to judge.

These images do reveal to us what the kingdom of heaven is truly like … new and old treasure indeed!