THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

 

"The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which is the least of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."  Matthew 13:31, 32  When Jesus spoke these words Rome ruled the world.   Their soldiers had traveled to every country; and with their iron armor, swords, and shields, they had conquered every nation.  Rome was hated by the Jewish nation and they longed for a deliverer, a king who would rule the nations with a "rod of iron".  They remembered king David, who God had used to deliver his people from all their enemies; and the wealth and honor they had received from the nations under the reign of king Solomon.  The ambition of Rome, and many of God's people was very much the same; they desired supremacy and worldly greatness. 

"For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out or a dry ground; he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him."  Isaiah 53:2 Christ set up his kingdom when he lived here on this earth; and it was established by his death.  A kingdom not now displayed in glory, but in humility. 

The parable of the mustard seed represents the work of grace that Christ longs to do in the hearts of his children today.  "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26 "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Hebrews 4:7 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 This is the first work that Christ will accomplish for us. Like the mustard seed buried in the earth, we must become dead to the world and begin a new life in Christ.  "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12, 13  

The man Jesus was truly the greatest teacher this world has ever known; and wherever sincere hearts receive his word in its simplicity there will be growing spiritual life.  "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18  "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass." Psalm 37:7

  Today the kingdom of God on this earth is in humility, just as it was in the days of the apostles; and our first work is to see that nothing hinders the growth of Christian principles in our own lives; and secondly to work for the heart conversion of our fellow man.  This it has been, and will continue to be till Christ comes and takes us to heaven. 

Speaking of his death on the cross Jesus said "if I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all to me" John 12:32 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14  "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12