--- The Kingdom Parables ---
This week, we have no text, or we have 10 (depending on your point of view). It’s time to step back, and look at the group of parables we have been calling “Kingdom of Heaven” parables as a whole, and studying in the posts over the last several weeks.
They are…The parable of the soils/sower, the wheat and the tares, the seed growing secretly in the ground, the mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, the dragnet, the unmerciful servant, the laborers in the vineyard, the wedding of the king’s son, the 10 bridesmaids, the talents.
What have we learned from them? We will not blame you if the answer is somewhat fuzzy… it takes some time for truths of a certain magnitude to enter into our soul. It may be helpful to look at them through the lens of the following categories:
1. The Nature and Mode of Operation of the Kingdom – these are mysteries now being revealed!
2. The Nature and Mode of Operation of the Person(s) of the King – from His own lips!
3. The expectations the Master has of His disciples – again, from His own lips!
Group 1 : The Nature & Mode of Operation of The Kingdom:
In this group, we are shown mysteries about the operation of the kingdom of God that were hidden from the beginning of the world, but are now revealed through His Christ.

The parable of the sower showed us the work of the enemy in taking away the Word we do not understand, as well as the reasons disciples are unfruitful (depth of faith, distracted with cares or desires of this world).

The parable of the wheat and the tares gave us the insight that the tares are being tolerated just for the sake of the wheat harvest. We were given a picture of hatred and spite that the enemy has for the field of the owner that was very revealing!
The parables of the seed growing secretly, the mustard seed, the leaven – all showed us some key aspects of God’s plan at work. Its independence from human agency (the seed growing all by itself in the ground), the difference in size from initial and final forms (the mustard seed), and finally, the transformational nature and power of the Word shown in the in the parable of the leaven.
The Gospel itself is center stage in the parable of the dragnet. The universal proclamation, and the catching up of a mixed multitude in its embrace beautifully illustrates the reality of the Christian kingdom which we see around us today.
Group 2 : The Nature and Mode of Operation of the Person(s) of the king…
He is the Sower of the Word. The Owner of the Field and the Vineyard. The Master of the servants.
He is the person who SO LOVES the world that He pays the ultimate price to acquire title to the hidden treasure and pearl of great price.
His thoughts and actions are completely different from our concepts of reality based on His Nature. His infinite grace is sufficient and ample reward for even an infinity of service – it is His kindness that He bestows it upon us for our measly efforts on His behalf – as in the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. He desires (the parable of the unmerciful servant) that we should be as gracious to those around us, as He has been to us!
In the parable of the wedding of the king’s son He is almost tearful in His invitations to those spurning His invitation to His son’s wedding. Yet the requirements of His justice are as stern and forbidding as flint – murderers are slain, and a guest that does not have on the proper wedding garment is thrown into outer darkness!
Group 3: Expectations of the Master from His Disciples.
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.” – Matt 10:24,25 Says it all doesn’t it. The Nature of the Master is directly reflected in the requirements He has of His disciples – that they be like Him!
They are to be fruitful (parable of the talents). Foolishness, laziness, despising the grace and gifts of God… these are not virtues. The Word and the Spirit are well able to transform us into the likeness of Him who called us to be like Him… wisdom, and ordering of our steps will come from abiding in Him, the Word of God, the Bread of Life.
Saving faith produces works that are acceptable to the Lord. It is His requirement, that this faith be in evidence in His servants when He comes – (the parable of the Bridesmaids). Our lamps are to be oiled, and burning! Saying I “was” a Christian at one point in time, when the Bridegroom appears, is not going to allow us to join the wedding party.
He lets us know that the wait will be long. We will be tired, we will fall asleep, we will suffer tribulation… but He tells us to WATCH – and gives us signs so that our faith fail NOT!