Continuing with the theme of the Kin-dom of heaven, we explore the verses in Matthew 13 concerning the parables of heaven. In these parables, Jesus compares this kin-dom of heaven to a mustard seed, yeast, and a treasure in a field. This week, the sermon will focus on how these parables would have been heard in their historical context and also how our small and large actions today also contribute toward creating a Kin-dom of heaven in the here and now.
Matthew 13:31-33, 44
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
He 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.”
The Parable of the Yeast
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with[a] three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”…(44) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Philippians 4:8 (NRSV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Emanuel Swedenborg
"The treasure hidden in a field" and "the pearls" signify the truths of heaven and the church; and the "one precious pearl" signifies the acknowledgment of the Lord. The affection of truths because they are truths is meant by "the man went in his joy and sold all that he had, and bought the field" in which the treasure was hidden, also by "the merchant's going and selling all that he had, and buying the precious pearl.”
Apocalypse Explained 863
In Faith,
Rev. Dr. David Brown