Jay: We’ve been discussing some of the teaching methodologies in Christianity, particularly focusing on establishing prior knowledge. A significant theme we’ve delved into is the concept of change, notably the transformative nature of Jesus’ ministry, which emphasizes a shift in thinking.
This change revolves around the understanding that the kingdom of heaven is not distant or future-oriented but present here and now. This perspective contrasts with the common belief at that time that the kingdom of heaven was elsewhere or yet to come. At the onset of their ministries, John the Baptist and Jesus asserted that the kingdom of heaven exists in the here-and-now.
In our discussions, we’ve pondered whether this immediate kingdom is about grace or a specific type of change. Last week, we shifted focus to five parables, using them for a comparative analysis. We looked at the differences between viewing the kingdom of heaven as distant, either in the past or future, and seeing it as immediate and present. To recap, we discussed the parables of the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Net, all found in Matthew 13.
These parables are brief yet profound. The Mustard Seed parable (verse 31) likens the kingdom of heaven to a small seed that grows into a large tree, offering shelter. The Leaven parable (verse 33) compares it to yeast that permeates through a large quantity of dough. The Hidden Treasure (verse 44) is about a man finding a treasure, hiding it, then selling all he has to buy the field where it’s hidden. The Pearl of Great Price (verse 45) tells of a merchant selling everything for a valuable pearl. Lastly, the Net parable (verse 47) describes a net catching various fish, with an implied sorting at the end.
As we continue our conversation, we’ll examine the actions within these parables. For example, if the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed or a hidden treasure, what actions do these metaphors imply? It’s crucial to consider these narratives through different perspectives: one where the kingdom is remote, and another where it is immediate, as Jesus suggests. This approach may offer insights into contrasting these viewpoints. I’ve prepared a chart to help us analyze these actions further:
For each parable, certain actions are attributed. In the Mustard Seed parable, the notable action is its growth into a large shelter for birds or other animals. In the Leaven parable, the yeast permeates through 60 pounds of dough. In the Hidden Treasure parable, the merchant finds and hides the treasure, then sells all he owns to buy the field. Similarly, in the Pearl parable, the merchant sells everything to purchase the pearl. Lastly, the Net parable shows a net capturing various fish, which are then brought to shore. We also discussed last week how this parable ends with a scene akin to judgment, where the good and bad are sorted.
For today’s discussion, I’m curious about the impact of viewing these parables through different lenses: one where the kingdom of heaven is a distant concept, and another where it’s immediate and present. How might changing this perspective affect an individual’s thoughts, perceptions, and actions, as suggested in the parables?
Additionally, I’d like us to consider the agents of the actions described in the parables. Are these actions human acts, divine interventions, expressions of grace, or a combination of these? This ties into our ongoing conversation about the kingdom of heaven as a manifestation of grace.
So, as we compare and contrast these parables, consider how they might influence your thoughts, actions, and perceptions, and who you believe is responsible for the actions they depict.
David: I wonder about the sequence of actor, act, and result in each parable. For instance, in the Mustard Seed parable, the actor is the person with the seed, the act is planting it, and the result is a large tree. Similarly, in the Yeast parable, a cook adds yeast to bread, which is the act, and the bread rises. The other parables also involve actions like finding and hiding treasure or fishermen casting nets, each leading to specific outcomes. Is there a deeper meaning—for instance, does the Mustard Seed parable suggest that a seemingly insignificant seed can lead to significant change? I think it’s crucial to record the actor, act, and result correctly to grasp these parables’ meanings.
C-J: These parables might be pointing to God’s desire to showcase His generosity and intent. Everything in these parables is about multiplication, yet it all hinges on a relationship. Take the 60 pounds of flour in the Yeast parable; it’s a lot of bread, possibly indicating a woman entrepreneur in the marketplace. Each parable requires an action, followed by God’s amplification. Good conditions are necessary for growth, like soil and water for the mustard seed or the right environment for the fish.
These stories highlight God’s generosity and patience. The growth of a mustard tree or using 60 pounds of flour happens over time, not all at once, symbolizing gradual growth.
Reinhard: I see these parables as revelations of the Kingdom of God within us. Jesus embodies the Father and presents heaven’s attributes through these stories. He taught the Pharisees and others that the kingdom was within their grasp if they followed Him. This offers a message that we’re made in God’s image and can cooperate with His grace to realize the kingdom.
Jesus’ teachings suggest that embracing His goodness and practicing it in life is key to understanding and living in the Kingdom of God.
Don: The actions in these parables seem rather passive. You can plant a seed, water, and fertilize it, but beyond that, there’s little you can do to force it to grow. Similarly, with fishing and using leaven, the actions are not forceful or highly intentional. It almost seems accidental how these actions occur.
Reinhard: That’s the challenge. These teachings were meant to revolutionize their mindset. It was a gradual process for the disciples and the next generation to accept these teachings, which included difficult concepts like forgiveness and caring for the sick.
David: Don’t they boil down to faith? The person planting the mustard seed must have faith that this insignificant seed will yield significant results. Similarly, the fisherman must have faith that his net will be filled with fish, and the woman making bread must trust that the yeast will work. Faith seems to be a central theme.
Carolyn: The same goes for the parables of the pearl and hidden treasure. The element of faith is evident when the man finds the treasure and decides to sell all he has. There’s a need to act to realize this faith.
Jay: Mention of passive actions raises the question of whom we attribute these actions to in the parables. The actions like planting a seed or adding yeast seem passive, with minimal human intervention. Do you see these passive actions as attributable to humanity, divinity, grace, or something else?
Don: I’m not entirely sure, but I see the actions of planting and leavening as passive, leading to more active responses. The pearl parable suggests a different angle—that grace, if that’s what we’re calling the Kingdom of Heaven, requires complete divestment of all possessions.
C-J: The idea of dispossession might not be about tangible things but rather about surrendering preconceived notions of God. Each parable invites us to view God in a childlike way, to question and redefine our understanding of His presence and role in our lives. It’s about seeing God’s presence with wonder and acknowledging His role as our creator and provider.
Chris: In these parables, an action occurs, initiated by faith. We’ve discussed how faith leads to action and then to results, over which we have no control. This brings up the concept of control. Acting in faith means relinquishing control of the outcome. For example, we can’t control how many fish we catch, how a plant grows, or how yeast causes dough to rise. Trying to control these outcomes often leads to failure. Instead, what we’re doing is giving up control and allowing God to determine the result, which is contrary to our human nature to control the outcome of our actions.
Anonymous: After reflecting on last week’s discussion, I summarized my thoughts as: Do, Be, and See. Starting with ‘Be’, I imagine myself as a seed or leaven, which is within my control. I can choose to be a seed in God’s hands, letting Him sow me where He wishes, or be leaven for His purposes. This is my action and choice, but the results, like a mustard bush growing or bread rising, are God’s work, not mine. My role is to willingly place myself in God’s hands.
Then there’s the ‘Do’ part, also under my control, where the grace of God and the effect of the Kingdom of Heaven come into play. By choosing to be a seed or leaven, God’s grace works within me, like a growing seed or working leaven.
This leads to the ‘See’ part, where I recognize the treasure or pearl and respond by giving up everything for it, realizing that the Kingdom of God is within me, not a distant hope. This realization compels me to act, to fish in various environments, drawing people to God. However, it’s not my work to judge who is good or bad; that’s God’s role. My response is to be ready and accept the call to work in His field, whether early or late in the day, and to let the Kingdom of God grow within me, like a mustard tree.
Michael: I believe it’s crucial to be specific about the parables. There’s a lot of action, but we need to emphasize that the kingdom of heaven is likened to the seed in the parable. This shifts the focus to the seed as God’s property and business, as the kingdom of heaven is the seed itself.
David: I am reminded of the Good Samaritan. This story, whether created by Jesus or based on a real event, is like a seed planted 2000 years ago. A simple act of kindness on a dusty road to Jerusalem has grown into a vast tree—an act “nested in” (analyzed, discussed, revered) by millions of Christians worldwide, perhaps because we “see” that the story embodies the kingdom of heaven, where doing good and treating others as we wish to be treated is the norm.
Anonymous: I’ve always struggled with understanding how the kingdom of God could be like a mustard seed. But I’ve come to realize that I am the seed in God’s hand, and His kingdom works through me. That’s why Jesus said the kingdom of God is within you.
The kingdom of God is both the seed and me in His hands, manifesting through me as I willingly become a seed or sacrifice everything for the kingdom. Thus, the kingdom of God is present here and now and also awaits us at Jesus’ Second Coming.
Carolyn: When we talk about giving everything, what does that encompass?
C-J: I believe it’s about trust and obedience, recognizing that our earthly experiences are transient. No matter the hardships, they’re fleeting compared to eternity. In this journey, God asks for our trust, even when His hand isn’t immediately visible. Like metaphorically experiencing plagues in the desert, we gain a body of experiences and a consensus understanding. There’s a rhythm to life, a time for action and a time for rest, reflection, and dreaming. In these moments, we ponder how God might use us. The key is to be present and open to God’s work, which often manifests in ways that only He could orchestrate.
Michael: I think we need to take seriously the transformative nature of the kingdom of heaven, as understood in Christianity. If it is here and now, but we don’t see a significant change, it prompts us to think the transformation will come later. However, if we accept its immediate presence, it should cause cognitive dissonance, prompting us to see things differently and expect visible changes in our lives.
Jay: That’s a good point. If the kingdom is here now, as Jesus’ parables suggest, it should instigate a change in us. This ties back to our focus on prior knowledge. Are these parables describing one aspect of the Kingdom of Heaven or several characteristics? For instance, the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl seem similar but depict the kingdom differently—one as the treasure, the other as the merchant. This may indicate multiple facets of the kingdom being portrayed, even in seemingly similar parables.
C-J: I believe Jesus’ parables are foundational. He always spoke from a foundation because our growth in relationship with God depends on factors like good soil and environment. In these parables, things are added to us, symbolizing growth and enrichment. However, contrasting this with stories like Daniel in the lion’s den or the furnace, we see a process where impediments are burned away, leading to transformation and refinement. This purification leaves behind what is good and reveals God’s presence in us, marked by complete surrender and wisdom beyond common sense.
The Old Testament, with its commandments and history, continually reveals foundational lessons about God’s teachings and our often stubborn, self-centered nature. It’s about realizing that God sees beyond our limited perspective and letting go of our impediments.
Anonymous: Giving up everything means letting go of anything that stands between us and God, no matter how deeply we cherish it. This process is challenging and goes beyond human reasoning. It’s by God’s grace, when His kingdom dwells within us, that we recognize the value of this treasure and understand that nothing is worth more than our relationship with God.
Jesus’ call to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him reflects this idea of surrender. It’s about prioritizing our love for God over everything else, understanding that clinging to anything more than God hinders our complete devotion to Him.
C-J: Every day, we go to sleep, surrendering the day and accepting that we can’t change our past choices. Each new day is an opportunity to reassess unfinished business and evaluate the quality of our work. We often think concretely, but the parables offer parallel analogies. If I only evaluate what I produce daily by human standards, where is God in that? God’s perspective is transcendent, and over time, He reveals lessons learned and growth achieved. As we age and perhaps face challenges like dementia, God’s intention is always to grow us in spirit and truth, to make us lanterns of His light. We don’t have to be missionaries or leaders to serve God effectively; our impact can be as simple and profound as the widow’s mite. It’s about our perception of God and our place in that relationship. God is continually transforming us, even in our dreams. These moments of storytelling in the twilight hours are unique ways God guides us, and we should be receptive to see what God is doing differently.
Kiran: I notice that the parables of the sower, weeds, mustard seed, and leaven were told to the crowds, while the parables of the treasure, pearl, and fishing net were told to the disciples. This distinction might offer insights into the different messages meant for the crowds and the disciples.
Michael: This might be indicating that the change, the effect, and the actions in the parables are primarily spiritual. We often expect physical manifestations, but focusing only on the physical aspect might cause us to miss the point.
Jay: That touches on one of the key questions: are these changes or actions spiritual (divine) or physical (human)? Understanding the nature of these changes and the environment they occur in is crucial.
Looking ahead to Matthew 25, Jesus presents similar parables about the kingdom of heaven with the 10 virgins and the talents. This continuation invites us to ponder if the ministry of Jesus is about a singular change or a multifaceted transformation. Are these parables guiding us towards a specific change in thought, perception, action, or a combination of these?
Carolyn: Could the required change be our acceptance of grace?
Jay: That’s an excellent question to close with. Understanding the nature of this change, whether it’s about accepting grace or something else, is essential to our discussion.
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