The Value of the Kingdom

 

Matthew 6:33-34; 13:44-46

Introduction

Matthew 13:44-46, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

Christ’s salvation is so costly that man cannot afford to purchase even a little of it by himself. This salvation is so costly because it requires Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died on the cross and shed His blood on behalf of sinners. It is a free grace given to us. Whoever receives Jesus’ salvation has a share in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus speaks about a parable, telling us that to inherit the kingdom of Heaven is like to receive an invaluable treasure. What is this tremendous value of the kingdom of Heaven? Let’s see some of them:

An Eternal and Abundant Life

Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Christ’s salvation that gives us abundant life, surpasses all earthly treasures. Many people are confused over “richness” and “abundance”. Money does make a man rich, but it does not make him abundant. Richness is about financial and material wealth, but abundance is all about relational, sentimental, and spiritual wealth.

A rich man buys and sells to earn profit, but an abundant man gives and receives for lasting satisfaction. A rich man possesses whatever things money can purchase, but an abundant man possesses things that money cannot buy. Richness is stored in one’s bank while abundance lies in one’s heart. A rich man is never satisfied whereas an abundant man is contented with what he has.

Actually, worldly wealth is deceitful.

Matthew 13:22 says, “The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

However, abundance in Christ is glorious.

Romans 9:23 says, “What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—”

Ephesians 3:16 says, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”

Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

God’s grace is abundant. It is because of the abundant grace of God that our sins can be forgiven through the precious blood of His beloved Son.

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

The abundant grace of God is revealed in the kindness that is given to us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7 says, “in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

The riches of His grace are also expressed in the inheritance of the saints.

Ephesians 1:18 says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

He even shows His kindness, forbearance and patience towards the rebellious and the stiff-necked.

Romans 2:4 says, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

Worldly powers are unstable, and they shall fail and collapse, and their riches are temporal. The sudden outbreak of plagues has dampened the world economy.

However, the Kingdom of God is transcendent and unshakeable, and it is eternal. Money, possession and materials cannot last forever, but the salvation of Christ becomes more secured and reliable as the days go by, and it lasts to eternity.

The merchant in this story knows the value of this pearl, likewise we the believers, ought to know perfectly the value of Christ’s salvation. The Kingdom of Heaven is one such crucial and valuable treasure that we should and must obtain in this world. Money and fame are just some external stuffs.

To have a share in the Kingdom of Heaven also means one has received:

An Eternal and Glorious Body

We experience physical changes when we grow older. Our physical body ages and we shall die one day. Our body is like a car. As times go by, its engine, tyres and other accessories inside it wear out eventually and until we cannot find any replacement for it.

The older we become, the more our body needs to have rest and recuperation. Although the advancement of medical science has helped prolong human lifespan, and beauticians can conceal marks of aging on human bodies, but these cannot stop completely or reverse the aging process.

Eventually, our wrinkles shall increase, knees getting weaker, our vigor decline, and we lose our physical fitness. We shall also lose our hair, teeth, energy and memory. Our health shall deteriorate, our muscles shall grow flabby, and our physical height shall shrink. Our body eventually will deteriorate, decay and die.

James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

The Bible says that it is only the blood of Christ that is able to make people break free from their empty and perishable way of life.

1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

And, only the living and eternal Word of God makes us able to be reborn, and to grow vigorously like the incorruptible seeds.

1 Peter 1:23 says, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”

Therefore, in Christ we wait expectantly with hope, that one day we shall resurrect from our death, and we shall receive our heavenly body, which is imperishable, glorious, strong and immortal.

1 Corinthians 15:42-43 says, “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;”

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 says, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory, O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?”

To have a share in the Kingdom of God means that one shall also receive:

An Eternal Dwelling of Peace and Rest

Man is created in the image and likeness of God. However, after mankind has sinned, sins permeate every sphere of human’s life, be it physical, emotion, culture or society, etc., and none is without its impact and all are under its influence.

Sin corrupts not only man’s morality, but relationships in their families, neighborhoods and societies as well. Such corruption has caused a degradation to human beings, that men become senseless and without feelings like animals, that they seek only to devour and destroy one another.

In Jude 10 it says, “Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.”

Man lost his innocence after sin came into this world. Sinners are stiff-necked, wicked and cunning. The human society is full of greed, ambition, self-conceit, adultery, violence, wars, terrorism, etc.

How deep indeed will man fall into their pits? They will turn as rotten as they can and even that, they will not repent. No confinement or punishment has ever curbed men from sinning.

The theologians call it a “total depravity of man” for a complete corruption after man sinned against God, and it includes corruptions of physical body (1 Corinthians 3:17), good work (1 Corinthians 15:33) as well as deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:22).

This world is imperfect and there is always pain, sorrow, suffering, sadness and disappointment. Even good things are to have their end one day, and all good things shall come to its end.  However, the Bible tells us that there shall be the coming of a new heaven and a new earth.

Revelation 21:1-4, “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”

Conclusion and Application

God promises abundant lives, glorified bodies and eternal rest in His presence for the people of the Kingdom of Heaven. All things on earth become so insignificant when compared to the Kingdom of Heaven. This Kingdom of Heaven has already come to our midst when we submit to God’s rule, but will not be consummated until the return of Christ.

Christ has spoken through these parables, and his call supersedes all things in our lives. His call is worthy of all our obedience and submission. May the Spirit enlighten us to comprehend this value of the Kingdom, so that we will respond by happily go and sell off all we have in order to be part of the Kingdom.

Today, let’s put down all things in this world, be it gains or losses; good reputation or lowliness; wealth or hardships; and seek only for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth and the reign of God in our lives.

All that has been done by God in Christ and our following Christ are far more valuable than what we ever have or even our other pursuits.

Matthew 6:33-34 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

The Kingdom of Heaven has already come in our midst now. Our Lord reigns! So, let us live our Kingdom life joyously, regardless of the circumstances and challenges we are facing. Don’t let worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making us unfruitful.”

While in prison, Paul said this to the Philippians 4:4-9, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. “

The world will see our fruits and come to comprehend the value of the Kingdom, and that they shall also receive the salvation of Jesus!