Kingship
Part Five
Let’s continue in Matthew as we trace Jesus’ teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven. He declared that whoever is least in the kingdom is greater than John the Baptizer (11:2-15). How is that possible? From the beginning of time, Jesus said, the kingdom has suffered violence and the violent take it by force. Even though John was considered a prophet and God’s messenger he didn’t operate in New Testament principles as we do. Least refers to rank, influence, ability, authority, and power, therefore, a believer surpasses that of John.
Why is that important? Because running parallel to the Kingdom of God (upper story) is the devil’s kingdom on earth (lower story) and he won’t let us reign without a fight. After entering into a kingdom relationship with God we simply must learn how to battle in the power and strength of His Spirit within us; that’s greater than John in ability, authority, and influence.
Matthew 13 records Jesus’ teachings on that topic; He told four parables on the beach and four in the house. As you read the Beach Parables (vs. 1-33, 36-43) notice the emphasis on the devil’s work depicted as conditions of our heart, birds (twice), and an enemy. Jesus is using these stories to predict and warn those who will listen with faith to the spiritual or upper story meaning.
The disciples questioned Jesus on His purpose for telling parables and His answer was that believers have the ability to know the secrets of the kingdom, however, without faith it’s impossible to understand the upper story or kingdom principles; kingship requires faith.
The Parable of the Sower and the Weeds both warn of the effects of the devil and the world on our hearts and lives. Surely there will be temptations and ungodly influences but it’s our responsibility to recognize those strategies and methods of the enemy and ‘take it forcefully’ by any means possible. It may be necessary to have hard conversations or separate ourselves from ungodly influences, at other times we stand in faith and prayer, and other times we fight the good fight by declaring God’s Word over the situation. It’s important to understand spiritual warfare and the weaponry we have at our disposal through Christ (Eph. 6).
The second two Beach Parables describe the enemy’s work in the fellowship of believers: a mustard seed and yeast. Both are warnings that during our progress, whether our individual or church life, the enemy will bring opposition. Jesus’ purpose in these parables is for us to be prepared for growth, even though it starts small, and stay alert to Satan’s strategies.
Jesus explained the upper story of the Sower and the Weeds exclusively to His followers so we would be spiritually prepared not only for this life but also the next. We are ‘good seed’ which are ‘sons of the kingdom’ and we will shine like the sun in the ‘kingdom of our Father’ (vs. 38-43). Practice shining now.
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