Kingdom Success.

Matthew 13 is filled with several parables: seven parables to be exact. Oftentimes we approach each individual parable as an individual teaching point without examining the connection to the others around it. I’ve recently learned there is a way to experience these parables by examining their connections. Some parables are stand alone; some are linked together like pearls on a gold chain; and still others are linked by being one step on top of another.

These parables in Matthew 13 are the step version. They each build off of the previous parable and work together to share one common message: what defines kingdom success?

Jesus starts off by showing that success is not based on putting the message out and everyone should glam onto it, if you simply sow it in the field correctly. The seed is sown; the seed is the Word of God; the seed is always good but the soils are not all the same. The first three soils reject the long term growth of the Word of God and only one type of soil is actually interested in the Word of God. In other words, success is not defined by acceptance; many will hear the Word of God and reject; that is still success. Getting the Word out there is one step of success.

The next parable shows that there is a planting of not good seed that comes from the enemy of God. This is Satan’s sowing of weeds; these weeds will grow up among the good grain. They will show up in your neighborhoods, in your schools, and even in your churches. Success in the kingdom does not ONLY bring only believers. The enemy will always challenge the successful growth of good grain - believers living godly lives. The enemy will produce lives that try and mask their real intentions and may even appear to look like believers; but they won’t be believers.

The next parable deals with a seed that creates a nesting place for birds next to the farmer’s house. Apparently the farmer is interested in birds. But this goes against the typical type of planting that would take place by the house. Normally there would be herbs planted there so that you could quickly snip and use the herbs in your cooking or for medicinal usage.

Success in this portion of the parable means that God has a plan that may differ from your expectations. We may need to shift our definition of success to meet God’s definition.

The parable on yeast shows us that a little growth of the Word of God can greatly multiply itself in the person and in the church community. Success is slow and methodical but it will work through the whole batch of dough and there will be action. God’s Word does not return to Him void; it will accomplish what He has decided (Isaiah 55:11).

The treasure parable reveals that the kingdom is not always evident above the surface. Even when the Word of God takes root in a person's life they may keep it hidden in the ground for a time - even though they see its value. The success of the kingdom may come out of hiding at difficult times in their life such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the crippling crush of economic upheaval, etc.

Success in the pearl parable shows us that some individuals recognize that nothing else matters other than their faith.

And the parable of the Net reminds us that there will always be unclean fish among the clean fish. To go further, this parable is another example of unbelievers being mixed in with believers. When we see a person not living their faith, even though they are in a faith community, it may be that they still have a buried treasure like in a previous parable or it may be that they simply do not believe and therefore have no fruits of faith - they are the junk fish that will eventually get tossed out at judgment day. God’s definition of success points to the reality that He is not fooled when people live pretending lives. There are various reasons why this could happen: some live pretending to be Christians because it is advantageous due to the religious nature of their family. They wouldn’t want to disappoint; so they fake it. Others are looking for a date. Still others feign Christianity to garner a good wage or a business deal. But fake is fake. God knows and this will get sorted out in the end.

So how does this all benefit us? This is a call for us all to examine our faith. Are we living as Christians just to mimic someone else’s concept of Christianity? Or are we living the Christian life because the Word of God has sprouted in the soil of our life and we consider this Word to be a treasure?

These step parables are also valuable for us as we define the success of the kingdom as it does grow around us. Is the Word of God being preached, taught, read, pondered, and studied? If so, there will be success. But we also don’t gasp in shock when we see that, even in the church gathering, there will be people who don’t seem to line up as Christians. Jesus spoke about it so that we wouldn’t get flustered and think that our Word spreading approach is wrong. Preach the Word; teach the Word; share the Word; it is a treasure!