In Matthew 13 we find an anthology of Jesus teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven. Each parable has its own nuance. However, the heart of the message is simply this: the Kingdom of Heaven it’s a matter of hearing, receiving, growing, and bearing fruit. Jesus has come and has inaugurated the Kingdom of Heaven. He has invited us to follow him into that kingdom, to learn from him Life as it was meant to be lived.
It will be hard. The kingdom of heaven is already inaugurated, present, and attainable but it is not yet fully realized. Many are growing toward maturity and productivity while Satan is hard at work in the lives of others. Sometimes we become discouraged because we don’t see what God is up to. However, Jesus promises us that the Kingdom of Heaven is relentlessly growing nonetheless. From small beginnings the Holy Spirit’s influence grows in our individual lives and in the world.
The question for all of us as we search out these truths is this: is Jesus the true king of your life? The thing is that God has a plan for this world and for us.
And that is worth living for. It is worth any sacrifice. In 2 Timothy 2:11-13 we are promised the following,
“If we died with him we will also live with him.
If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown Him he will also disown us.
If we are faithless he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”