Christian Quest
Study 11
"The Kingdom is Like . . . "

Reading:
Matthew 13:24-58
Mark 4:21-34
Luke 8:16-21

After Jesus spoke to the multitude at the time he told the parable of the Sower and the Soils, Jesus' disciples were puzzled and asked him why he was speaking to the people in parables. Interestingly, when Jesus explained the parable to the disciples, what it meant, the parable itself was about the reason Jesus spoke in parables, for the different soils represented different hearers of the message of the mysteries of the Kingdom and how they would respond. Only the good soil would hear the message and bear fruit; the rest would not get the sense of the message. This is the very reason Jesus said he would speak in parables. So in a sense, the parable of the Sower and the Soils was about speaking in teaching in parables so that only the faithful would get the sense of the mysteries.

Then Jesus went on to tell his disciples several more parables, mainly with reference to what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. In each case, the Kingdom was likened to something that ordinary people could understand. The emphasis on parables coincides with a turning point in Jesus ministry. The movement rising from his following of disciples is becoming more notable and more controversial. A wave is beginning swell of a rising tide of opposition to Jesus message which does not escape his notice. This polarization begins to be seen in the parables, such as weeds (tares) among the wheat, good fish and bad fish in the dragnet. Jesus is rejected altogether in his home town, Nazareth. When his mother and brothers came to see him, Jesus placed greater consideration to spiritual 'family'. To understand Jesus' parables it is important to understand the setting of the story. Generally, each parable has a major lesson to teach.

Synopsis

Matthew 13:

• 24-30: The kingdom of heaven is like a field of wheat in which weeds (tares) have been sown among the good seed..
• 31-32: The kingdom of heaven is like a tiny mustard seed that grows to be a tree, in which the smallest seed grows to be the greatest. (Also Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18,19)
  
• 33: The kingdom of heaven is like leven hidden in meal so that it all becomes levened. (Also Luke 13:20:21)
• 44: The kingdom of heaven is like a hidden treasure.
• 45: The kingdom of heaven is like a fine pearl, worth selling all other belongings to obtain it.
• 47: The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which pulls in both good and bad fish, but the bad will be thrown away.
• 51: Everyone who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household who has treasures both old and new.

Mark 4:

• 21-25: Parable of the Lamp - That which is hidden will be revealed. (Also Luke 8:16-18)
• 26-29: The kingdom of God is like growing seed which will be harvested when the crop is mature.
• 30-32: The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed smaller than all the other seeds, but grows to become larger than all the others. (Also Matthew 13:31-32 (see above) and Luke 13:18,19)

Luke 8:

• 16-18: Parable of the Lamp (Also Mark 4:21-25 (see above).)

Matthew 13:54-58:
Jesus rejected in Nazareth (also Mark 6:1-6)

Luke 8:19-21
Jesus mother and brothers came to see him. Jesus says that all who hear the word of God and do it are his mother and brothers. This would indicate that one's spiritual relationship with Christians in the body of Christ are related in a deeper relationship than that of fleshly relationships. This does not mean that Jesus was disrespected or rejected his mother and brothers. He was simply making a point of the close bond of those in union with God as compared to the flesh.

Optional research:

• Why did Matthew consistently use the term "Kingdom of heaven" while other Gospel writers called it the "Kingdom of God"?
• How was the "Kingdom of God" referred to in the Old Testament?

Review questions:

• Which Gospel writers record the parable of the Wheat and Tares?
• Which Gospel writers record the parable of the Mustard Seed?
• Who was the sower in the parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matt. 13:36-43)
• Who is like the head of a household?
• What is the lesson taught in the parable of the Lamp?
• Why do Christians often call one another "brother" and "sister"? ( Mark 4:33-35)
• What is the most interesting lesson you learned from these chapters and how do you apply it in your life?

Optional discussion:
Why might things that are the same between the Synoptic Gospels appear in a different order?