What is the Kingdom of Heaven Like?

Jesus must have had this question from his disciples. These men had followed him, listened to him speak, recognized that he was special, bringing a new message, but, they weren't really clear on what this kingdom was really like. Matthew relates a series of parables that all start in much the same way: : The kingdom of heaven is like.....

Courtesy http://kingdomnewtestament.wordpress.com/

Jesus uses surprising, and unusual, metaphors for the kingdom. The mustard seed, yeast, a treasure lost in a field, a pearl, and finally a huge net. It's hard to see the relationship between some of these examples but it is clear that the kingdom of heaven is not at all what we might expect it to be. It is not big and brash and pushy and yet it does have a large effect. It is not readily visible, but when it is found, it brings so much joy  the finder will give up everything to have it. It is all encompassing, all powerful, and yet, inconspicuous.

This week we will examine what the kingdom of heaven means to us, in our time and place as we examine the parables of Matthew 13.