The Kingdom

What is the kingdom of heaven like?  What does Matthew say in Chapter 13:31-33, 44-49?  Below is a list of comparisons made in the chapter, paraphrased by me, with my thoughts.

• The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed...the smallest of all seeds that is planted and becomes the greatest of shrubs, like a tree, so that birds come and nest in it.   We could perhaps underestimate the power in a mustard seed.  We might not imagine what could come of it if planted.  Our expectations are that something so small would have insignificant results, but the opposite is true.   Perhaps we could never predict the outcome of what we see as small actions for God.  Perhaps we would never anticipate the powerfulness of the kingdom of God from what we see.
• The kingdom of heaven is like yeast mixed with three measures of flour until it was all leavened.  When I bake bread, I'm always amazed that the tiny amount of yeast I add will cause two loaves of bread to rise (I usually bake a recipe that yields two or three loaves).  The effect multiplies as the yeast grows.  Perhaps the kingdom of heaven is like that.
• The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  There is much in life we value -- many things we think are of great value.  This tells us that we would joyfully trade all that we have for God's kingdom -- it is of that great a value to us.
• The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea that caught fish of every kind.  When the net is brought ashore, the good fish are kept.  The bad are thrown out.  We should relax, because God will judge -- by relax, I mean stop trying to do God's job.  Let God judge.  Has God saved you?  Has he redeemed you?  Do you believe it?  By God's grace, we are saved. 

Could it be that we underestimate the Kingdom of God?  Do we see mustard seeds instead of great trees providing homes for birds?  Do we forget to believe that the tiny amount of yeast can make the bread rise?  Do we forget that value of the Kingdom of God? 

Remember the power of God, and remember what can be done with the little you can offer.  Lives can be changed.  Instead of worrying if you are a good fish or a bad fish, remember the power of the God you follow.  Believe in God's power to save you -- not only you, but all those you would touch with God's power of love. 

Is this what this passage is about?  I don't know, but it is what I am moved to write today.