Proper 12: Gospel, Matthew 13:44-52                                

Matthew 13:44-52

Matthew chapter 13-the parable chapter-at least that’s how I have always thought of it. Jesus the master storyteller pours out some of his best in short, almost pithy stories illustrating great things beyond our comprehension. His focus? The Kingdom of God. A subject that immediately takes us beyond ourselves and the everyday. Or it should.

Jesus keeps referencing the Kingdom as something that requires special entrance. In other words, we don’t have an automatic “in” just being human. And then the Savior points us to its qualities and characteristics. Now His stories are meant to teach. And just because they are “little” stories does not mean the gist of His tales isn’t profound. In fact, they are profound to the greatest degree. Jesus closes His instruction and then says to His band of followers, “Have you understood all these things?” To which they answer a rather curt and confident, “Yes.”

Really? The centuries of ink spilled over the parables of Matthew chapter 13 point to the fact that mankind still doesn’t really get what Jesus refers to in these quick tales from a traveling preacher. Oh there are points we can grasp, but the big picture? The Kingdom? Jesus almost begs us to wait and watch. And He certainly does want us to ponder before the Kingdom comes in its fullness. But a quick “yes” from those who heard Him teach, or from us, is something to reconsider. So is His Kingdom. Ponder away.