The Kingdom of Heaven

Opening Prayer: Welcome Lord. I know you are always here, but sometimes I just need to say out loud I’m here and you are welcome to be here with me. You who promised to be with me even to the end of the age, I answer the door and say “Welcome, come in.” Amen.

Verse: There are many verses in this devotion all relating to the kingdom of heaven.

Message: These parables are divided by biblical scholar Edward Burbidge (1839–1903) into two main groups. The first group is called the Kingdom of Heaven and the second is called the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of Heaven parables found in Matthew, all begin, not surprisingly with the words, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” They end with descriptions that include:

Matthew 13:24 “…a man who sowed good seed…”

Matthew 13:31 “…a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,

Matthew 13:33 “…leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

Matthew 13:44 “…treasure hidden in a field, which a man found…”

Matthew 13:45 “a merchant seeking beautiful pearls…”

Matthew 13:47 “…a fishers’ net that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind…”

Matthew 13:52 “…a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Matthew 18:23 “…a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.”

Matthew 20:1 “…a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.”

Matthew 22:2 “…a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son…”

Matthew 25:14 “…a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.”

One look at these descriptions and you can see Jesus used the inanimate (treasure, and a fishers’ net); and animate things (men and women, yeast, mustard seed) to describe the kingdom of heaven. The parables include the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor. There are representatives of people who command others and people who only have the power to command themselves.

I have never seen these verses stacked up against one another before. The one thought that comes to mind is this “How diverse is the kingdom of heaven! “It is made up of people from all walks of life. It functions as a mustard seed, a treasure, and a fishers’ net. It is sought after, worked for, saved up, and it is given away to others. It sees to the needs of person, family, and community.

The church when looked at from this vantage point can be very much like the kingdom of heaven. We should ask ourselves, and ask ourselves often in what ways is Brunswick a reflection of the kingdom of heaven? How are we inclusive? How are we like mustard seeds that grow into trees big enough to provide shade? How have we entrusted our wealth, or showed mercy? These questions are not just questions for the church as a community. They are questions for us individually as Christians. I invite you to reflect on these scriptures this week and ask yourself how am I the kingdom of God? Please pray with me.

Closing prayer:  Lord, remind me of how small a mustard seed is when I think I am too small to be of any good. Remind me of the great power of a little packet of yeast when I think my energy is not enough. Remind me of the riches I am to you when I forget I am your treasure. Use me as a net to bring the welcome you first offered me to everyone I meet. In your name I pray. Amen.