Treasures of God’s Kingdom

Jesus: ⁴⁴ “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. ⁴⁵ Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. ⁴⁶ When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! …” ⁵² Then He added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.” Matthew 13:44-46, 52 New Living Translation 2^nd Edition

Matthew 13 gives essential teaching from Jesus about the treasures of God’s Kingdom. In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches the people through a series of brief parables. Jesus the Messiah was a great Teacher (Matthew 13:54; see also e.g., Matthew 4:23; Matthew 23:10; Mark 1:22-23; Mark 6:1-2; Luke 4:31-32; John 11:28). He regularly taught in the synagogues and was praised by everyone (e.g., see Matthew 4:23; Mark 6:2; Luke 4:15-16, 31-32, 43-44). Many Jews living in the first century Palestine were amazed at His wise, authoritative, and Spirit-filled teaching, and the people sometimes referred to Jesus as Rabbi (Matthew 13:56; see also e.g., Matthew 7:28; Matthew 22:33; Luke 4:22, 36; John 1:38, 49; John 7:15). Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit’s power (e.g., see Luke 3:22; Luke 4:1, 14, 18; Acts 10:38). As Jesus taught the people in first century Palestine, large crowds of people often gathered around Him (Matthew 13:1-2, 36; see also Matthew 4:25; Mark 3:7-9; Luke 5:1-3). Jesus regularly taught the people about the reality of the Kingdom of God (e.g., see Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35; Luke 9:11).

When teaching about the Kingdom of God, Jesus constantly used parables (Matthew 13:3, 10, 34-36, 53; see also Matthew 22:1-3). Parables were not unique to Jesus. Parables were also used in the Old Testament but rarely (e.g., see Psalm 49:4; Psalm 78:2). Likewise, the Jewish rabbis of Jesus’ day used parables in their teachings. A parable has been defined in many ways by biblical scholars such as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Some scholars have defined parables as an allegory or a symbolic story. Essentially, a parable is a story or illustration, where one compares one thing to another (e.g., see Matthew 13:33; Matthew 18:23; Matthew 20:1; Matthew 22:1; Matthew 25:1; Mark 4:26, 30; Luke 13:18, 20). Jesus often used parables when teaching about the Kingdom of God with simple stories taken from common and everyday life, such as a field planted, a man finding treasure, or a seed planted (see Matthew 13:3, 24, 31, 36, 44-46). In fact, Jesus never taught the people about the Kingdom of God without using stories and illustrations in the form of parables, as predicted in the Old Testament prophets (Matthew 13:3, 34-35 referencing Psalm 78:2; see also Mark 4:33-34; John 16:25, 29).

In His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed the existence and treasures of God’s Kingdom available to ALL PEOPLE – saints and sinners - through our wholehearted and genuine REPENTANCE (turning from sin), FAITH (trust and dependence on God), and OBEDIENCE (practicing and doing God’s Word (e.g., see Daniel 4:27; Luke 6:47; Luke 8:19-21; Luke 11:27-28; 1 John 2:5). Everyone who repented, accepted and obeyed the message of God’s Kingdom and produced good fruit received the treasures of God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13:8, 23; see also e.g., Matthew 21:28-32, 43; John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:5-8, 10; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 5:3). These abundant treasures included wisdom, insight, understanding, healing, deliverance, salvation, and many other heavenly blessings from the Most High God and His Kingdom (Matthew 13:8, 10-12, 16, 23; see also Isaiah 6:9-10; Luke 4:18-19, 33-35, 38-41; 1 John 5:20). The more you love, honor, and obey the living LORD God as your King, the more heavenly goodness, blessings, and treasures that He gives you from His Kingdom (Matthew 13:12, 16-17; see also Matthew 6:33; Matthew 25:29; Mark 4:24-25; Luke 19:26-27; John 15:2, 5). With the acceptance of God and His Kingdom comes full liberation and freedom from sin, sickness, and ignorance (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 10:7-8; Luke 10:8-9). Our faith and obedience to the living LORD God brings deliverance and protection from the evil one, physical and mental healing, and restoration (e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 1:21-26, 29-34, 39-45; Luke 4:40-41; John 17:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3).

One of the clearest examples of blessings from God’s Kingdom is Daniel, and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah (see Daniel 1:4-6). However, these four Jewish boys were given new names when God’s people were exiled to Babylon: Daniel was called Belteshazzar, Hananiah was called Shadrach, Mishael was called Meshach, and Azariah was called Abednego (see Daniel 1:7).

Daniel and his three friends were continually faithful, loyal, and obedient to the living LORD God of Israel and acknowledged Him as the true King of all the world, even when they were exiled in Babylon. In their hearts, Daniel with his three friends refused to worship and serve any other gods or idols except the LORD God of Israel as the only true God of heaven and earth (Daniel 2:47 ; Daniel 3:3, 7, 10-12, 14, 16-18; Daniel 4:25; Daniel 6:5, 10-11, 13-14, 16-23; see also Exodus 20:3-7, 23; Deuteronomy 5:6-11; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 13-14; Deuteronomy 10:17;  Matthew 22:37; Luke 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:15). Daniel and his three friends acknowledged to everyone – kings and paupers alike – that the living God of heaven controls and rules the universe, and He has all wisdom and power (Daniel 2:20-23; Daniel 4:17, 25; see also e.g., 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Proverbs 2:3-6; Isaiah 28:29; James 2:6). In their distress and trials, Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego discovered that the LORD God of heaven is mighty to save when we call upon His Name and trust wholeheartedly in Him (Daniel 3:19-30; Daniel 6:21-23; see also e.g., Joshua 24:14-15; 1 Samuel 17:36-37; Psalm 27:1-2; Isaiah 43:1-2; Zephaniah 3:17; Acts 2:21; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 1:9-10). Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had complete confidence in the LORD God!

Because of their faithfulness and obedience, the living LORD God blessed Daniel and his three friends with the secrets and mysteries of heaven – an understanding mind, eyes that see, and ears that hear (Matthew 13:10-13; see also Deuteronomy 29:4; Daniel 1:17-20; Daniel 2:19-20, 23; Daniel 10:1, 11-12; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; James 1:5). Daniel and his three friends received from the living LORD God wisdom, insight, understanding, as well as high positions of authority and service in the Babylonian and Persian governments (Daniel 1:17-21; Daniel 2:48-49; Daniel 3:12, 30; Daniel 5:11-12; Daniel 5:28; Daniel 6:2, 28; Daniel 9:22-23; see also 1 Kings 3:11-15; 1 Kings 4:29-34; Romans 13:1). The more Daniel and his three friends trusted, served, and honored the living LORD God the more abundant treasures the living LORD God blessed them (e.g., Matthew 13:12; Matthew 25:29; Luke 8:18; Luke 19:26-27). Even when facing death for their allegiance and faithfulness to the living God, Daniel and his three friends relied upon God, and the living LORD God rescued them from harm and danger (Daniel 3:16-29; Daniel 6:21-23; see also Isaiah 43:2-3; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11).

Even more precious, the Spirit of the living LORD was with Daniel (e.g., see Daniel 2:11; Daniel 4:8-9, 18; Daniel 5:11, 14). Additionally, the living LORD God gave Daniel direct access to Him and His throne room of heaven, as well as knowledge of His Kingdom (see Daniel 7:1, 9-10, 13-14). While serving in his high government position, Daniel urged the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar to stop sinning, do what is right, break from his wicked past and be merciful to the poor (Daniel 4:27; see also Isaiah 1:10-20; Isaiah 55:6-7; Isaiah 58:6-7, 10). Most importantly, Daniel urged the government to acknowledge the living LORD God of Israel as the true King and that His Kingdom and dominion is from everlasting to everlasting (Daniel 4:2-3, 17, 25, 32, 34-35; Daniel 5:21; Daniel 6:25-27; see also Psalm 103:17-19; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Jeremiah 27:4-5)! The living LORD God alone is the eternal Most High God over all the kingdoms of the earth (e.g., see Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 37:15-16).

In Matthew 13, the Lord Jesus proclaimed that Satan and his evil predators do not want people to receive the treasures of God’s Kingdom. When anyone hears the goodness of God’s Kingdom, Satan and his evil workers are the criminal birds, weeds, and thistles of the world, and they come to steal God’s good Word from your hearts and sow discord and false teaching among people (Matthew 13:4-7, 18-22, 24-28, 38-39; see also Matthew 24:4-5, 11; 24; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8, 10). Even worse, others simply refuse the blessings and treasures of God’s Kingdom because of their cares, hardship, and persecution or their desires for worldly wealth, riches, and fame (Matthew 13:5-7, 20-22; see also 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17; 2 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:15-17). Instead of loving and obeying the LORD God, some would rather follow the ways of this evil world and Satan’s evil kingdom by gratifying the seductions and desires of the body and mind (e.g., see 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1-3; Galatians 5:19-21). However, Jesus promises that Satan and his weeds, lawbreakers, false workers, false prophets, and evildoers who do not submit, obey, and follow the LORD God and His Kingdom will be punished and thrown into hell with eternal condemnation (Matthew 13:30, 40-42, 47-50; see also Matthew 3:12; Matthew 25:41-46; Revelation 19:19-21; Revelation 20:7-10; Revelation 21:8, 27). The reason Jesus came was to destroy Satan’s evil and destructive work on earth and to deliver EVERYONE through faith in Him into God’s glorious Kingdom (e.g., see Luke 4:18-19, 36-37, 43; John 12:31; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8).

The Holy Scriptures are clear: those who reject Jesus, will not repent, and continually practice sexual immorality, adultery, corruption, deception, idolatry, witchcraft, sorcerers, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, as well as murderers, cowards, disobedient, drunkards, and all liars will not inherit and enter the glorious Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:41-42; see also e.g., John 8:44; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 22:15). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus are good, holy, and truthful (Matthew 13:24, 37-38; see also e.g., 2 Chronicles 7:3; Psalm 73:1; Psalm 145:9; 1 Timothy 4:4). Jesus promises that God will send His holy angels at the end times, and they will remove from God’s Kingdom everything that causes sin and do evil and throw such lawbreakers of God’s commandments into the fiery furnace (Matthew 13:39-42, 50; see also Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 14:15; Matthew 19:20-21; Revelation 20:10).

Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is present now in the world, but the Kingdom looks small like a tiny mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32; see Mark 4:30-31; Luke 13:18-19). One day, Jesus promises the Kingdom of God will become grand and glorious (Matthew 13:32; see also Mark 4:32). The Kingdom of God will cover and saturate the ENTIRE earth (Matthew 13:33; see also Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus will reign forever and forever in Kingdom here on earth (e.g., see Jesus promises that the faithful, repentant, and good workers of the living God will enter His glorious Kingdom and shine as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father, the LORD God Almighty (Matthew 13:38, 43; e.g., see also Proverbs 4:18; Daniel 12:3; Matthew 5:3-12, 16; Matthew 7:12-13, 17, 21-23, Matthew 25:1-12; 14-30, 34-40; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 3:7; Revelation 21:9-11).

Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is like a valuable treasure a man discovered in a field (see Matthew 13:44). In his excitement and joy, Jesus proclaimed the man sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field and get the heavenly treasure (Matthew 13:44; see also Proverbs 23:23)! Again, Jesus described the Kingdom of God like a merchant on the lookout for valuable pearls (see Matthew 13:45). When the merchant discovered the precious pearl of great value, the merchant sold everything he owned to purchase the glorious pearl (see Matthew 13:46)! According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God is so valuable and important! Acceptance of God’s Kingdom brings a new life from heaven above and joy (e.g., see John 3:3-8; Roman 14:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17). “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge” (Romans 11:33, NLT2). The living LORD God graciously gives His heavenly wisdom, guidance, and understanding for all who seek, love, and obey Him (e.g., see Isaiah 8:19-22; Matthew 6:33)

Once more, Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God could be illustrated by a fisherman (see Matthew 13:47). The fisherman cast a net into the water and gathered in fish of every kind, valuable and worthless (Matthew 13:47; see also Matthew 22:10). When the net was full, the fisherman dragged the net onto the beach and sat down and sorted out the good fish into crates and threw the bad fish away (see Matthew 13:48). Jesus promised at His return at the end of the world God’s holy angels will come and separate the wicked people from the godly and righteous who were kind, merciful, and humble towards others (see Matthew 13:41; 49). In His public ministry, Jesus promised that the peacemakers, merciful, good, and humble would inherit God’s Kingdom (e.g., Matthew 5:3-12; Matthew 9:10-13; Matthew 25:31-40). However, Jesus promised His Father the living LORD God of heaven and earth would cast the wicked who were unjust, unmerciful, and hateful towards others into the fire where they will be weeping and gnashing of their teeth (Matthew 13:42, 50; see also Matthew 25:41-46).

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).