The 'Is Like' Parables -Part 2

June 5, 2025 | Read and Think About:

• Matthew 13:44-46

• Matthew 18:1-4

• 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Today we have 3 short passages (11 verses), which are centered around Jesus telling two parables on what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.

In the parables themselves (Matthew 13:44-46), we notice at least 3 things:

First is the value and importance of entering the kingdom of heaven.  It is comparable to a treasure, or a pearl of great value.

Second is that the treasure and the pearl went undetected. And third is the one who found them made an exchange for something that was more valuable.

When the ‘treasure’ and the ‘pearl’ parables are put together, I asked 2 questions:

• What is the main point of the kingdom of heaven, the thing of tremendous value?

• What do the parables mean in saying this thing of great value was hidden, undetected, not noticed?

St. Paul's letter in the Bible sent to Corinthians as mentioned above provides some answers to both questions, I think.   

• The thing of tremendous value is that Jesus died on the cross so that anyone who places their faith in him could go to heaven. His earthly life and ministry culminating with his sacrifice is the foundation for the kingdom of heaven.

• The reason it may go “hidden,” undetected, and not noticed is that the value cannot be grasped coming at it from the wisdom of the world.  It's not that God placed it behind a curtain or hid it from people. 

It's more about what Paul's letter says, that what seems foolish is actually wise, and what seems wise is actually foolish – from God’s perspective.  This is underscored by the illustration Jesus used in Matthew 18, of having a little child come forward.  Like the child, a person with trusting, curious, and open eyes is better equipped to observe the thing of tremendous value.

Observing the good news is like a group of people at a museum, looking at masterful paintings of exquisite detail.  At that moment, what resonates with one person in the group may be different from what another person finds compelling.

In the “kingdom of heaven is like…“ parables, what elements stand out the most for you?  

What do these parables say about how God is working in the world and in your own life?