Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven using paradox and parables. The best-known lessons from Jesus are the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord’s Prayer, and his parables.
The Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount opens with the familiar Beatitudes. They aren’t a code of ethics for Jesus’ followers or a list of character qualities we should all try to live up to. Instead, the Sermon on the Mount should be read and studied as a paradox. Jesus is describing an upside-down world, not the one we currently live in. But it’s our world that’s upside down, not his. The Beatitudes are a picture of life in God’s kingdom, living in God’s new creation where his will is consistently done.
The point of the Sermon on the Mount is to announce that God’s new covenant is coming. In his commentary on Matthew, N.T. Wright says:
“But the point is not to offer a list of what sort of people God normally blesses. The point is to announce God’s new covenant.”
Wright, N. T.. Matthew for Everyone, Part 1: (p. 37).
The last two chapters in the Bible show us that everything described in the Beatitudes is going to be literally true in God’s new creation. In this next table, everything in the “For” column will be our reality after God establishes the new covenant.
| Blessed are… | For… | Revelation Verse… |
| the poor in spirit, who realize their need for God | theirs is the kingdom of heaven | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. Revelation 21:1 NLT |
| those who mourn | they will be comforted | He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. Revelation 21:4 NLT |
| the meek and humble | they will inherit the earth | Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Revelation 22:14 NLT |
| those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice | they will be filled. | To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. Revelation 21:6 NLT The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. Revelation 22:17 NLT |
| the merciful | they will be shown mercy | We see God’s mercy throughout Revelation 21 and 22. |
| the pure in heart | they will see God | No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. Revelation 22:3-4 NLT |
| the peacemakers | they will be called children of God | All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. Revelation 21:7 NLT |
| those who are persecuted for doing right | theirs is the kingdom of heaven | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. Revelation 21:1 |
The life described by the Sermon on the Mount isn’t attainable for any of us as we are naturally; it can only become real for citizens of the kingdom of God. To the extent that Christians embody those characteristics, the kingdom of God is forming in them now.
We mentioned that the beatitudes shouldn’t be read as a list of character qualities we all need to live up to, or as a code of ethics. Near the end of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus sums up the Christian’s code of ethics directly and simply in one powerful rule:
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12 NLT
On another occasion, Jesus was asked “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” He answered:
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31 NIV
Jesus’ answer came from Deuteronomy 6:5, known to Jews as the Shema Yisrael, and from Leviticus 19:18. If we could love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and if we could love others as we love ourselves, then we would certainly be keeping every commandment God has given.
The Lord’s Prayer
This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus is asking his Father to bring his kingdom to earth, so that God’s will would be done on earth as in heaven. Informed by what we know about the new covenant and the kingdom of God, we could paraphrase Jesus’ prayer:
Lord,
Include us in your kingdom, and help us do your will…
Let us live in your new covenant…
Provide for all our needs…
Forgive us and help us forgive others as you do…
Protect us from Satan and evil…
Jesus’ Parables
Parables are stories from everyday life which paint pictures of deeper truths. God’s thoughts are higher than ours, so the Bible often communicates truth using stories, pictures, and symbols. It’s fitting that Jesus often taught using parables. Parables link concrete thoughts about everyday things to abstract thoughts about deeper realities. All of Jesus’ parables are listed below in topic groups:
1. Parables of the Kingdom
The kingdom of God is more valuable than everything else in the world that God created. Jesus has planted the kingdom, and it will continue to grow and attract people.
| New Cloth on Old Garment | Matthew 9:16-17; Mark 2:21-22 |
| The Growing Seed | Mark 4:26-29 |
| The Farmer Scattering Seed | Matthew 13:1-9; Mark 4:3-9 |
| The Wheat and Weeds | Matthew 13:24-30 |
| The Mustard Seed | Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32 |
| The Yeast | Matthew 13:33 |
| The Hidden Treasure | Matthew 13:44 |
| The Pearl of Great Price | Matthew 13:45-46 |
| The Fishing Net | Matthew 13:47-52 |
2. Parables of Salvation
Jesus came to seek people who are lost in darkness, and lead them back to God. Heaven rejoices over everyone who turns to God. In the parables of the lost Sheep, Coin, and Son – each person loses something of great value to them and can’t rest until they find it. Jesus is painting a word picture about the restless pursuit the Father has for each of us.
| Lost Sheep | Luke 15:3-7; Matthew 18:10-14 |
| Lost Coin | Luke 15:8-10 |
| The Prodigal Son | Luke 15:11-32 |
| Workers in the vineyard | Matthew 20:1-16 |
| The Marriage Banquet | Matthew 22:1-14 |
| The Narrow Door of Salvation | Luke 13:22-30 |
| The Pharisee and the Tax Collector | Luke 18:9-14 |
3. Parables of Wisdom and Folly
It is foolish to live as if this world and your present life will last forever.
| The Ten Bridesmaids | Matthew 25:1-13 |
| The Rich Fool | Luke12:13-28 |
| A Shrewd Man of the World | Luke 16:1-9 |
| Wise and Foolish Builders | Luke 6:46-49 |
4. Parables of the Christian Life
Christ’s followers are to live in the light of who Jesus is – happily, boldly, and gratefully.
| The Two Lamps | Luke 8:16-18; Luke 11:33-36 |
| The Two Sons | Matthew 21:28-32 |
| The Good Samaritan | Luke 10:25-37 |
| The Persistent Widow | Luke 11:5-13 |
| The Unjust Judge | Luke 18:1-8 |
| On Being Thankful | Luke 7:36-50 |
5. Parables of Judgement
God will judge how we have invested the life he gave us. Forgiveness is available, and his judgement is fair.
| The Unforgiving Servant | Matthew 18:23-35 |
| The Tennant Farmers | Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-11 |
| The Ten Talents | Matthew 25:14-30 |
| The Sheep and the Goats | Matthew 25:31-46 |
| The Rich Man and Lazarus | Luke 16:19-31 |
Jesus’ teaching was the antithesis of human wisdom. It shows us the kingdom of God, but it also shows us how much the world has been corrupted by sin and Satan’s influence.