Value of the Kingdom

Today we will discuss the last of the parables of Jesus in this series. Here He talks about the value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus tells 3 short parables describing God’s Kingdom, and when people realize how great it is, the treasure of it far outweighs any sacrifice or struggle they might encounter.

Matthew 13:44-52

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Jesus gives 3 parables about the value and awesomeness of the kingdom of heaven. Many search for the truth and finally find it in Jesus Christ. Others find it through someone sharing or the Holy Spirit prompting. Regardless of how you come to Christ, this is the most valued treasure you could ever imagine and whatever you do and whatever you face, it does not compare to the reward you will receive in heaven and the peace and joy you have in your heart. Nothing compares to the glory we will receive in heaven.

Philippians 3:7-11

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul was like the man who found a treasure and sold all he had to buy the field it was in. He was not looking for this treasure; well, he was, but in the wrong places. He was a Pharisee persecuting the church, believing that he was serving God. But Jesus came to Him and showed Him the truth that salvation is not through deeds and works, but through faith and grace. He was persecuting the very thing that provides salvation. When he obtained it, he considered all things loss in comparison.

Matthew 6:19-21, 33

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Matthew 7:7-8

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

As in the second parable, many seek after Christ and His grace. And when they find it and truly accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they are willing to give all for His glory. There is no greater gift than the gift of salvation that God offers to each one of us. Jesus already paid the price for that grace, for our salvation, and all we have to do is knock at the door. When we have this gift, we would do anything to serve Him, to share the good news, and to be like Christ. And when God calls us home and when Christ returns, there will be nothing like it. No matter what we go through, no matter how much persecution we may receive, it will all be worth it.

Revelation 21:1-8

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

When that day comes, it will be awesome for those of us who are God’s children, who believe in Jesus Christ. This gift, this treasure, is offered to all. He just asks us to believe to receive it. But those who do not, are condemned already. This is the warning Jesus talks about in the third parable. We are all sinners and deserve death and eternal damnation. But God loves us so much that He provided a way to have eternal life.

John 3:16-18

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.