Faithful on Fridays Blog

Episode Seven: Already

Matthew 13 is famous for Jesus’ rapid fire of eight consecutive parables describing what the Kingdom of Heaven is like: four seed stories, leaven, hidden treasure, a pearl and a net. He closed this series (vs. 52) by announcing that all teachers need to be prepared or trained with these new truths as well as the old ones. Jesus didn’t disqualify the Law and the Prophets, He fulfilled them. In that way He created a new way of living in freedom and newness of life. His disciples needed to understand that the ‘old ways’ of Judaism, the first covenant, was being replaced with ‘new ways’ of Christianity calling them treasures.

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant He mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. Hebrews 8:6

The prophet Jeremiah prepared God’s chosen people for this ‘new covenant’ by declaring it would be in their minds and written in hearts (31:31-34), additionally, in His mercy He won’t remember their sins anymore. 

In speaking of a new covenant, He makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:13 

The New Covenant was ratified by Jesus’ own blood when He paid the ultimate price for our sin. Now, the Kingdom of Heaven includes forgiveness, undeserved grace and mercy, freedom to choose, and on and on. It’s a new and better way of living (Heb. 10:20); it’s Kingdom living. We also need to understand that Kingdom living is not about obeying rules or working for God’s acceptance reassuring those in our sphere of influence of the value of faith.

Understanding those upper stories is vital to sharing the gospel of the Kingdom and the disciples were getting it, yet they also fell back into lower story thinking asking Jesus (Matt. 18) who will be the greatest in this kingdom? Jesus used this opportunity to show, once again, it begins with childlike humility and forgiveness. When Peter asked about it Jesus told a parable that taught the danger of not forgiving people who sin against you; it’ll put you in spiritual prison (Matt. 18:23-35). 

Another ‘new way’ of kingdom living is recognizing that God’s authority is sovereign and what seems unfair to us isn’t, in His perspective. He told a parable of workers who received the same pay even though they worked different lengths of time. It seemed unfair, but Jesus was teaching that in the Kingdom of Heaven He chooses what’s right and acts accordingly. Some Christian doctrines don’t seem fair in our eyes, but ultimately God chooses, elects, and invites whomsoever He will into His Kingdom (see Luke 14). 

Passion Week was recorded by Matthew beginning in chapter 21, fortunately Jesus isn’t finished teaching us about this invisible Kingdom that we can’t physically see, but it’s already here in the midst of us (Luke 17:20). 

*** I’m taking a two week break from posting on my blog going on vacation. Hope you’ll stay with me until I return.