Ep. 231. Matthew 13 | The Kingdom of Heaven is Like
EPISODE 231
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE: MATTHEW 13
As long as there are preachers, teachers, bible students, and people in the church pews, there will be disagreement on the parable of the four soils. Everyone seems to agree on the first and the last soil. The first doesn't produce a plant and is relegated to an unbeliever. The last produces a plant and fruit and is therefore agreed to be a believer. But what of the second two? These are the ones who receive the message of the Kingdom of Heaven with Joy. These are the ones who produce a plant. But these are also the ones who wither and die when faced with persecution or the pleasures of this world. What does it mean that they received the message/word of the "Kingdom of Heaven" with joy?
I can't speak for everyone, but I grew up in the eighties (born in 1975), so I can only recount what I was taught. I was taught that those who "received" the word with joy were those who had received "the gospel;" and that, essentially, they had become believers. They just weren't very good at it. (or some people would argue that they lost their salvation having once received the message with joy) The term for these "Christians" who had "withered" was "carnal Christians." The assumption was that they had actually believed the good news of the gospel but were wayward in their living and would end up in heaven one day, but just barely. There is no other way to say it; it is just weak teaching.
First, we must consider that Jesus is using the language the Jews would have understood. "The Kingdom of Heaven" is less about our traditional view of heaven and more about "the Kingdom." Remember that "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God" are used interchangeably in the gospels. The Jews were looking for the Messiah to come and restore the "Kingdom of God" back to the glory days of King David. They were seeking a King who would route Rome and bring about liberty from their oppressors. Remember, in John 6, the people were prepared to come and make Jesus "king by force." The people received the testimony of Jesus with great Joy. They believed the "Kingdom of Heaven [was] at hand," just as John the Baptist and Jesus had proclaimed. But what happened in John 6? When the message became too much for them, they departed. What happened when Jesus was arrested and crucified? Many of his followers ceased to follow him further. Jesus came and proclaimed the coming "Kingdom of Heaven," and the people, excluding the first soil, received his message with excitement and grace. However, when it came time for the rubber to meet the road and the cost of being a follower of Jesus was revealed, they departed.
Understanding the parable of the four soils is not just about the soils, but also about the cultural context of the 'Kingdom of Heaven.' Consider Jesus' ministry. There were those who, like the Pharisees, would never believe. There were those who would follow until they encountered any form of persecution. There were those who would follow until they were reminded of their love for worldly treasures. And then, there were those who would believe and bear much fruit for Jesus and the Kingdom. (We find these people all over the pages of Acts.)
ADDITIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 2:8,9; Isaiah 6:9-10; Romans 11:25; Romans 9:22-33; Matthew 3:12; Psalm 78:2; John 6:42: John 6:61
