A Worthy King
Today’s post is more like a mini Bible study than a devotional! What I love about Matthew 13 is that it points to the ultimate hope we have in Scripture, and the reason Jesus came—the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN!
I pray that these reflections lighten your burdens and lift your eyes today.
KEY VERSE: Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
I stood in my yellow dress, surrounded by flowers as my dear friend married her husband. I’ve been in many weddings before, but never one quite like this–a day initially peppered with storms became sunshine, a vibrant rainbow painted across the sky, and two sincere people committing to mirror Christ’s love through a covenant promise.
In that pure, joyful ceremony, the Spirit did a happy dance in my heart. I’d never been so confident that even in all our world’s darkness, the kingdom of heaven exists here too.
This kingdom is what Jesus preaches in Matthew 4, when He begins His ministry by calling Capernaum to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). He continues describing the kingdom in Matthew 13, as He teaches crowds along the Sea of Galilee through parables that begin with, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” (Matthew 13:24, 31, 33)
After teaching a few parables, Jesus withdraws inside what was likely Peter and Andrew’s house with His disciples and points them to the kingdom of heaven (13:36). Unlike worldly empires, the kingdom of heaven is an everlasting kingdom which “all rulers will serve and obey,” that “will never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44, 7:27).
Jesus compares the kingdom to finding hidden treasure: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up” (Matthew 13:44). An earnest-hearted man discovers the treasure and experiences the kingdom of heaven for himself. It isn’t gold or pearls, but Jesus’ infinite grace and love freely offered through salvation. This treasure is priceless.
So what does the man do next? The parable concludes, “Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44). Without reluctance, the man makes the kingdom of heaven his home. He models the right response to Jesus and His sacrifice; he has “tasted and seen that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8), so he understands nothing compares to the worth of King Jesus, his Savior. The man’s joy reflects the Holy Spirit delighting in his heart, and showing him a glimpse of the kingdom’s eternal blessings.
Like this man, we don’t have to wait until our life is over to experience God’s kingdom. In fact, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven lives in believers, purchased by His blood and dwelling in our hearts (Luke 17:20-21). We can make heaven our home today by surrendering our hearts to the worthy, saving King. We can experience the uncontainable joy and fulfillment of God’s kingdom, if we’re willing to not just discover treasure, but purchase it and devote our lives to Jesus’ way. May we know in our bones that Jesus is worth more than anything else, and His kingdom is the greatest treasure.
Jesus, we thank you for being worthy of our worship. Thank you for your unending love that transforms us. You are all we need and all we could ever want; remind us of this truth when our hearts want to wander from you. Give us eyes to see the glimpses of heaven you offer us today, and grant us a hunger to make heaven our home. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I’m curious! How does the kingdom of heaven’s nearness encourage you in your current season? I’ll share my thoughts below and would love to hear yours too.
