EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 26 07 26
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Genesis 29.15-28
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Romans 8.26-end
GOSPEL: Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52
The central message of Jesus was about the Kingdom of God. The first ever message that Jesus said as he began his ministry was the Kingdom of God has come near, repent and believe in the gospel.
Jesus begins a new age of God’s kingdom, he shows Goa kingdom and invites people to become part of God’s kingdom.
Jesus not only repeatedly spoke about God’s Kingdom, his work was the work of God’s kingdom bringing people closer to God, bringing healing and wholeness to people, granting forgiveness to people.
We find mention about God’s kingdom both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.
What is God’s kingdom?
It is about living under the authority of God and coming under the authority of God and God’s sovereign reign. All that it takes to be part of God’s kingdom is to subject oneself to the sovereign authority of God.
God is both the king of heaven and earth. Jesus always points to a new reality where the kingdom of God is within people.
The Bible regards the kingly rule of God under three different aspects, As an eternal fact, as manifested upon earth in its acceptance by people, and as a consummation to be hoped for in the future where God will establish God’s kingdom perfectly and visibly on earth.
In the New Testament the terms Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven occur very frequently in the synoptic gospels. The Kingdom of heaven is used more in the gospel according to Matthew.
Seeking God’s kingdom for Jesus should be the priority for his disciples. When Jesus
taught his people to pray he asked people to pray, ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’. It should be our desire to be part of the heavenly reign of God, here in every day life. Jesus also asked his disciples, ‘But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ (Matthew 6:33)
In the Gospel reading we heard today, we heard five different metaphors about God’s kingdom.
Parable of the Mustard Seed.
The Kingdom of God is like a seed planted amongst people and the seed comes to life and grows and grows till it becomes a huge tree.
Parable of theYeast.
Yeast is added as an agent which transforms the entire dough and makes the dough come to life and we make bread and other delicacies.
Parable of the Treasure in the field.
Jesus talks about the Kindgom of God as a treasure in the field. Someone finds a treasure in a land. The person to have the treasure should own the land and therefore sells all that the person has and goes and buys the land so the treasure could be enjoyed.
Parable about a Merchant in search of fine pearls.
Jesus talks about a merchant who is wanting fine pearls and the to find it the person goes searching for fine pearls. On finding a precious pearl goes and sells everything and buys the pearl.
Parable of the Net that is thrown into the sea.
Jesus talks about the Kingdom as a net that is thrown into the sea. Whatever falls in the net is gathered. On gathering the good ones are gathered and the worthless ones are thrown back into the sea.
HOW CAN ONE ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus said to be part of God’s kingdom is to exceptionally good and godly in thinking and action He said, ‘For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 5:20)
Jesus also said it is not about calling upon the name of God that is sufficient but to do the will of God. Jesus made it clear, ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 7:21)
Finally, to become part of god’s kingdom one has to change, become like children, the way children grow in understanding and stature. ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)