Introduction:

Note: The two phrases: “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably by Jesus.  For atheists, this way could be translated as creating a loving inner space and/or co-creating a loving community.

That the “kingdom of heaven” was a central theme for Jesus is clear.  It is referred to frequently by Jesus.  Jesus says it is the most valuable thing one could possess.

There is strong debate as to what Jesus is referring to as the kingdom of heaven. It is generally agreed that these statements of Jesus are referring to the here and now rather than to an afterlife. The debate is whether Jesus is referring to a state of being within our soul or to a community situation or to both.

Jesus appears to want each of his listeners to think about it and to come to their own formulation of the kingdom of heaven. It is not what the experts say; what is important is what you say.

 

The Sayings of Jesus:

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

Matthew 13: 44-46

44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a person found and hid again, and then, in their delight, went and sold everything that they had, and bought that field.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of choice pearls. 46 Finding one of great value, they went and sold everything that they had, and bought it.

The Kingdom of Heaven is in Your Midst

Luke 17: 20-21

20 Being once asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus answered: “The kingdom of God does not come in a way that can be seen, 21 nor will people say ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’; for the kingdom of God is in your midst!

The Parable of the Yeast

Luke 13: 20-21

20 And again Jesus said: “To what can I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like some yeast which a woman took and covered in three pecks of flour, until the whole had risen.”

(note:  In early Jewish society yeast was considered an impurity and a woman was an inferior being)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mark 4: 30-32

Jesus also said: “To what can we liken the kingdom of God? 31 By what can we illustrate it? Perhaps by the growth of a mustard seed. This seed, when sown in the ground, though it is smaller than all other seeds, 32 yet, when sown, shoots up, and becomes larger than any other herb, and puts out great branches, so that even ‘the wild birds can roost in its shelter.’”

The Parable of the Growing Seed

Mark 4: 26-29

26 Jesus also said: “This is what the kingdom of God is like — like a man who has scattered seed on the ground, 27 and then sleeps by night and rises by day, while the seed is shooting up and growing — he knows not how. 28 The ground bears the crop of itself — first the blade, then the ear, and then the full grain in the ear; 29 but, as soon as the crop is ready, immediately he ‘puts in the sickle because harvest has come’.”

The Little Children and Jesus

Mark 10: 13-16

13 Some of the people were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who had brought them.

14 When, however, Jesus saw this, he was indignant. “Let the little children come to me,” he said, “do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the kingdom of God belongs.

15 I tell you, unless a person receives the kingdom of God like a child, they will not enter it at all.”

16 Then he embraced the children, and, placing his hands on them, gave them his blessing.

 

Stories and Commentary:

A story:

I see “kingdoms of heaven” all around me.  They are tiny.

The one I visualize is a dark underground parking lot where I worked.  There was a lady in her 50’s who worked in a stall as an attendant.  She radiantly smiled and greeted everyone entering and leaving the parking lot.  That dank parking lot was a happy place and gave me and I am sure many others a boost in the day.

That parking lot was her “kingdom of heaven” and I was lucky enough to enter it on a frequent basis.

 

The Parable of the Growing Seed:

This parable addresses our level of control of things in life.  Many people like to think they are in full control.  Twelve step programs insist we have no control.  The reality is different from either of these extremes.

We can plant a seed.  We can fertilize and water it and try to protect it.  After that we are not in control.  The wonder that a little seed can become a large plant that feeds us is not under our control.  The luck that the seed will live and sprout rather than die is not under our control.

Also with all that we do in  life.