The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
This week during our Sabbath message, Pastor Mark spoke about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. The passages we discussed were not referring to the Kingdom where Yahshua sits at the right hand of Yahweh, but rather the Kingdom of Yahweh that is within us (Luke 17:20-21) When we look at the following parables, that is where they take place and apply.
When looking at Matthew 13:31-32, we see that even the smallest things that don't look like they have much potential can grow and spread out and become the greatest of things. We see this with the mustard seed, something that appears so insignificant, but when taken care of as it should be, it not only grows but then provides rest for the birds of the air. The Kingdom of Yahweh should spread out and produce comfort and care for others. The Kingdom of Yahweh is all about people.
When we look at the verse following (Matthew 13:33) we can see that the key to spreading is in mixing the dough well. The flour cannot become what it must without the yeast. Here the yeast that is mixed with the flour represents the Gospel of the Kingdom. We need to mix our lives so completely with the gospel that it can't help but grow and move beyond us.
When we look further down in Matthew in Chapter 20, we can understand that the landowner is Yahweh, and we are the workers. Every worker, no matter the time worked, receives the same wage. The wage here actually represents Yahweh's grace. Whether you have been a believer for 50 years, or accepted Yahshua's sacrifice today, the measure of grace you receive is the same. This is something to rejoice in, because we are able to see more and more people enter into the Kingdom with us!
In Matthew 22 we see a wedding feast being prepared. When the guests who were invited were found unworthy by their rejection of the invitation, the father of the groom sends his servants out to whoever they can find to come and celebrate the wedding. The Kingdom in you realizes that not everyone will respond to the invitation Yahweh has given. However, the Kingdom in you makes no judgement about who is worthy, that is for Yahweh to decide. We need to be ready for His invitation so that we are prepared for the Feast that comes.
