How do we describe the sunset to a blind person? How do we describe music to a deaf person?
God’s Kingdom is beyond our natural senses. The Kingdom is an unshakable reality, and its power transforms everything it touches.
Matthew 13:44-46
Verse 44: "The value of the Kingdom is priceless. It is so precious that a person who sees the Kingdom will be willing to give up everything to share in it."Jesus compares the Kingdom to a treasure hidden in a field. It must be valued above all else. Those who recognize the value of God's Kingdom are willing to give up everything that could hinder their relationship with God and their purpose.
The Kingdom is our absolute priority.
The man in the parable sold all he had to purchase the field where the treasure was hidden. This is an illustration of how we must prioritize the Kingdom over all other desires.
What motivated the person to sell everything?It was the recognition of the priceless value of the Kingdom. The decision to surrender everything comes from a realization of the immense worth of what is found in Christ.
Verse 45-46: The Price of the Kingdom
The Blue Nile pearl is worth 22,500, while a South Sea Pearl (black) sells for 10,000, and a South Sea Pearl (white) sells for 35,000. The Kingdom is more valuable than any earthly possession, and we are called to treasure it above all else.
Entrance into the Kingdom requires a complete reorientation of values and priorities. It’s a call to life-changing discipleship. The Kingdom demands that we evaluate our lives in light of the eternal and make radical, decisive changes to align with God’s will.
Mark 8:34-38
Three things Jesus requires:
Deny yourself — We must put aside our desires, no matter the cost.
Take up your cross — This represents suffering, death, shame, ridicule, rejection, and self-denial. It is a deliberate choice to choose God's will over our own.
Follow Me — Our identity becomes so aligned with Jesus that we cannot be separated from Him. Our reputation is no longer our own but is found in Christ.
If it cost Jesus everything to bring God’s Kingdom to humankind, can it cost us any less to enter into and enjoy its blessings? The demand of the Kingdom requires a resolute, radical, costly, and eternal decision.
Discipleship Calls for Decision:
Luke 9:57-62 (Resolute Decision)
Luke 14:26-27 (Costly Decision)
John 3:16 (Eternal Decision)
We receive when we give all to God.
Taking up our cross daily means confronting our human tendency to pursue our own will. When we lay down our lives, it opens the way for God to reveal His glory. Through this sacrifice, we discover new dimensions of eternal love, liberty, and freedom from the bondage of self-life (flesh).
Popular Understanding vs. Jesus’ Understanding
Luke 17:20-21
John 6:10-15, 26
John 18:10, 11, 36
In these verses, we see how the popular understanding of the Kingdom contrasts with Jesus' revelation. The Kingdom is not about earthly power or authority but about spiritual transformation and surrender to God’s will.
Acts 1:7-8 Power from on High
In Acts 1:7-8, Jesus promises power, energy, might, great ability, and strength through the Holy Spirit. This power enables us to overcome all resistance and fulfill the purposes of God's Kingdom on earth. The power that Jesus gives is divine power, not to dominate but to serve, heal, deliver, and advance the Kingdom.
Authority in the Kingdom Now!Matthew 10:1-8, 28:18, Luke 10:1-19, Acts 1:7-8
Jesus operated with Kingdom authority because He was under the authority of His Father. He demonstrated exousia (delegated authority) to heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach the Kingdom. This authority was given to His disciples, and it has not been rescinded. Powerless ministry becomes effective when we recognize the exousia power in the name and blood of Jesus.
Liberating Authority
Mark 1:23-26
Mark 2:3-12
Mark 4:35-41
Jesus delegated this authority to His disciples. When Jesus sent out the twelve, it was to preach the Kingdom of God with authority and power, demonstrating that the Kingdom is not just a message but a demonstration of God's reign on earth.
Conclusion: The Kingdom Demands a Response
The Kingdom of God calls us to make a decisive, radical commitment to follow Jesus, denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and embracing a new identity in Him. As we step into this Kingdom life, we experience the power, authority, and transformation that it offers, becoming agents of change in a broken world.
Comments