08.23.2026 | Jesus Taught About the Kingdom
Matthew 13:24-52; Mark 4:21-34
In 1989, a man shopping at a flea market found and purchased a framed painting for only $4. He didn’t care much for the painting but liked the frame, so it seemed to be a fair price.
While inspecting his purchase, the torn canvas and old frame fell apart and revealed a small, folded note inside the frame. The small note was one of the original printings of the Declaration of Independence from 1776. It had been hidden and preserved for more than 200 years. This man didn’t quite get what he was expecting because his $4 purchase turned into a rare treasure that he later sold for $2.4 million.
The discovery of a hidden treasure was also the subject of one of the parable stories Jesus told to help people understand what the kingdom of God is like. Many of the people who heard about Jesus expected Him to be a king who would overthrow the Roman empire. They expected a great kingdom on earth that would bring wealth and power to God’s people. But that’s not how Jesus described His kingdom.
In Matthew 13, Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed, a priceless pearl, and a hidden treasure. Jesus wanted those who could understand to see how the kingdom of God would begin small but grow and spread throughout the world. He also wanted them to see that knowing Him and belonging to this kingdom is far more valuable than anything else we can possess. While this type of kingdom wasn’t what the people expected, Jesus is the King of kings, and He is growing the Kingdom above all kingdoms!
Jesus is the King who came to bring God’s kingdom to earth. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, He made the way for people to be part of God’s kingdom. When we trust in Jesus, we are like the good seed in His field—we belong to Him, we grow in Him, and we will be with Him forever.
Pray: Jesus, we praise You because Your kingdom is greater than everything else! Help us know You as the King of kings. Give us the courage and the opportunity to tell others about Your amazing love. Amen.
