Who has the Keys?

Meditate.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:30-34 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Jesus often spoke in parables to describe the Kingdom of God--or the Kingdom of Heaven.

Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: 'When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.'" Mark 4:10-12

The secret of the Kingdom of God was hidden in the parables. Something about the Kingdom of God was revealed only to those who understood the parables. Jesus didn’t just open the door to the Kingdom for everyone. They had to search for it…to seek it with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.  The keys to the Kingdom were right there in the stories that He told His followers.

Here are several another stories and illustrations Jesus told:

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field." Matthew 13:24

 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field." Matthew 13:31

 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." Matthew 13:33

 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field." Matthew 13: 44

 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls." Matthew 13:45

 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind." Matthew 13: 47

 "Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old." Matthew 13:52

Which of these parables speaks to you? Are you a farmer, a baker or a fisherman? Jesus aimed His parables at particular people so that they could identify with His stories. Where do you look for keys to understanding Jesus’ parables…to seek His Kingdom? Remember…Don’t worry....Today's trouble is enough for today. Seek God’s Kingdom. Trust Jesus—He has the keys to the Kingdom. God has promised that He will provide.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, please continue to reveal more of Yourself to us. You said to Thomas…”Blessed and happy and to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me (Amplified Bible, John 20:29).” We do believe in You and rely on You Jesus…for Your blessings in our lives, daily. You are the key to the Kingdom. Knowing You and loving You is the way that we seek the Kingdom of God above everything else in our lives.

Verse of Salvation ~ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:11-14 (Underlined for emphasis.)

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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