Copyright © 2026 Women of the ELCA. Reprint permission is granted for use in Women of the ELCA units, clusters/conferences and synodical women’s organizations provided each post is reproduced in its entirety. If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.
Jesus frequently begins his parables with the line, “The kingdom of God (or heaven) is like…” Many of the parables reveal something important about having a life ruled by God. Take this one, for instance:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44).
Parables can have many levels of meaning, but here, the basic point seems to be that a life ruled by God is something precious and wonderful. Indeed, it would be worth giving up everything one has in order to have such a life. Some interpreters might further say that having a life ruled by God requires giving up control.
Most interpreters also say that the parable’s main point is not that we must give up everything in order to go to heaven when we die. Biblical references to the kingdom of heaven (or God) usually have more to do with living in God’s rule here and now, than with going to heaven after death.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “The kingdom of God: Mysteries of the kingdom” by Mark Allan Powell in the January/February 2022 Gather magazine. Today is the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost.