Synoptic Gospels 5: Herald of the Kingdom (3)
Pray Psalm 2.7-9.
“I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
Sing Psalm 2.7-9.
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High)
I will declare the LORD’s decree. He said, “My Son I have begotten Thee.
Ask Me, and I will give every land for You to rule as I have planned.”
Read Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43; meditate on verses 37-39
Preparation
1. What does the seed represent?
2. What does the field represent?
Meditation
This is the defining parable of Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of God. It portrays conditions in the whole world (v. 38) and from the beginning of Christ’s sowing of the Kingdom seed to the final days of harvest (vv. 37, 40, 41). The parable embraces the whole of humankind, dividing them into two nations, or cities as Augustine would have it—those who bear true Kingdom fruit and those who do not. It provides an earthly stage for the great spiritual warfare that has gone on since Satan’s rebellion against God in heaven. The parable addresses the final disposition and estate of all human beings. And it looks past the events of time and history to the final shining forth of the eternal Kingdom of the Father (v. 43).
The world , we note, is not a weed field, waiting to be burned. It is rather a wheat field, fraught with vast potential for bringing forth Kingdom fruit to the glory of God. It wants only laborers to join Jesus in His yoke, as He works to make all things new.
But we must remember that we are engaged in a great spiritual warfare, and our calling, as we follow Jesus, is to sow, cultivate, defend, and tend to the good seed of the Kingdom of God. By our prayers, our good works, our conversations and witness, and our labors to advance the rule of Christ in every aspect of life, we are co-workers with Christ in bringing His Kingdom to expression on earth as it is in heaven.
If you’re not laboring to bring the Kingdom of God to light in the land of the living, on earth as it is in heaven, then you are working on the side of those powers that want to suppress and eradicate it. Devote yourself afresh to God, day by day, and go forth to sow, cultivate, and bear good Kingdom fruit in all you do.
This is the most exciting life you could ever know. Seize it day by day!
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matt. 13.43).
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to this time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life,
some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament,
and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12.1-3).
“He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be like the light of the morning
when the sun rises, a morning without clouds,
like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
by clear shining after rain” (2 Sam. 23.3, 4).
“Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD!
But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength” (Jdgs. 5.31).
“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4.18)
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5.14, 16).
“This is the most exciting life you could ever know.” Shine in it day by day!
Reflection
1. How would you define your parcel in the field of the world?
2. What work does managing this parcel typically require of you?
3. How do you know the Lord’s Presence with you as you are working His field?
This parable represents the present and future state of the gospel church; Christ’s care of it, the devil’s enmity against it, the mixture there is in it of good and bad in this world, and the separation between them in the other world. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Matthew 13.24-30
Pray Psalm 2.10-12.
Pray that you will know your calling from the Lord as a worker in His field. Pray for clarity for this day’s work. Commit everything you do to furthering His Kingdom, nurturing progress of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Pray that Jesus will make His Presence known to you throughout the day, to encourage and strengthen you for your work.
Sing Psalm 2.10-12.
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High)
Be wise, O kings, O judges, hear, and tremble with joy, serve the LORD with fear.
Embrace the Son, keep His wrath at bay, or you shall perish in the way.
His wrath is kindled like a flame at all who refuse to bow to His Name.
Beware His anger and judgment grim: How blessed are all who trust in Him!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our Read Moore podcast takes up the book Understanding the Times to help us in knowing how to live and proclaim the Kingdom. Our twice weekly column, Crosfigell, is well into a series on the life of Brendan the Navigator, one of the great saints of the 6th century. Our ReVision series, “The Kingdom Economy”, features the first three installments this week. And new in our bookstore, our book, The Ongoing Work of Christ shows us how the book of Acts provides a template and footprint for all who take up the work of building Jesus’ Church.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
