Earlier today, while listening to a Substack post from Abigail Wilson, she challenged her readers to share their best reads of 2025. That prompt pushed this “listener more than reader” to look back over the books that shaped this past year. Some I read, most I listened to, but all of them left a mark.
1. Winning the War in Your Mind
By Craig Groeschel
This is not the most beautifully written or brilliantly narrated book on the market, but its content makes it my number one book of 2025.
For as long as I can remember in my Christian life, I have wrestled with my thought life—everything from sexual temptation, to legalism, to harsh, judgmental critiques. At some point it felt easier to give up than to keep trying to corral the monkeys jumping around in my head. About three years ago, though, I finally drew a line in the sand and committed to taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). I had memorized the key passages, but I was still losing the battle.
Groeschel’s book was a true game changer for me. The way he unpacks patterns of thinking, spiritual warfare, and practical strategies for renewal helped me experience real progress. My thought life is still not perfect, but compared to where I was, it has improved a hundredfold.
2025 has really been “the year of the Kingdom of God” for me. Over the last 18 months, I have zeroed in on Old and New Testament passages on the Kingdom, and the study has been incredibly rich. Along the way, several books broadened and clarified my thinking.
A two volume set stands out “Empire of the Risen Son” by Steve Gregg. The two are titled:
There Is Another King and
All the King’s Men
Both helped me see the Kingdom not just as a future destination but as a present reality under the rule of Christ.
Another influential work was:
The Scandal of the Kingdom
By Dallas Willard, with an introduction by John Mark Comer
Willard’s insights into discipleship and the reign of God, combined with Comer’s framing, gave me a deeper, more practical vision of what it means to live under King Jesus every day.
3. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
By W. Phillip Keller
A friend recommended this book, and honestly, I wish I had read it years ago—for two reasons.
First, it offers profound personal comfort. Keller, writing as a shepherd, walks slowly through Psalm 23 and opens up the imagery in ways that soothe anxious hearts. Second, it provides rich insight for pastoral ministry. If you are navigating a tough season or trying to better understand the challenges and burdens of ministry, this little book is a wise, gentle guide.
4. Two Classics That Shaped Me Early On
These next two are not 2025 publications, but they remain pillars in my library and resurfaced in my reading this year:
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret
By Dr. Howard Taylor and Geraldine Taylor
The Master Plan of Evangelism
By Robert Coleman
I first read these when I was a very young Christian, and they were foundational for my faith and my understanding of disciple‑making.
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret is, in many ways, a must‑read for every believer. It traces the inner life and trust in God that fueled Taylor’s missionary work, and it still challenges me to lean more deeply into God’s faithfulness.
The Master Plan of Evangelism is exactly what the title suggests: a master work on Jesus’ model of ministry. Coleman doesn’t just theorize about evangelism; he traces the actual strategy Jesus used to form disciples who would carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. For anyone who takes the Great Commission seriously, this book is essential.
5. Honorable Mentions
These final titles may not be must‑reads for everyone, but they were informative, challenging, and genuinely enjoyable. If any of these topics interest you, they are well worth your time:
Designed to Lead
By Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck
A thoughtful look at building leadership culture in the church.
A Chance to Die
By Elisabeth Elliot
A powerful biography of Amy Carmichael and a moving call to sacrificial obedience.
The Civil War: A Narrative, Volumes I & II
By Shelby Foote
Immersive, detailed history that reads almost like a novel while treating the subject with depth and seriousness.
Midnight in Chernobyl
By Adam Higginbotham
A gripping, meticulously researched account of the Chernobyl disaster and the human decisions behind it.
Those are the books that most shaped 2025 for me—some for my inner life, some for ministry, and some simply for the joy of learning. Here’s to more good reading (and listening) in the year ahead.
In Matthew 13:33, Jesus declares, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” This brief parable, nestled within a series of teachings on the Kingdom of God, illustrates the subtle yet transformative power of God’s reign. Spoken to a crowd in Galilee, it reflects Jesus’ method of using everyday imagery to convey profound spiritual truths. The parable emphasizes the phrase “leaven the whole,” pointing to the pervasive growth of the Kingdom under Christ’s lordship, both now and in its eschatological fulfillment.
Key Words and Phrases
The key term in Matthew 13:33 is “leaven,” from the Greek zymē (Strong’s G2219), meaning yeast or a fermenting agent. Etymologically, zymē derives from a root suggesting heat or fermentation, symbolizing an active, transformative process. The phrase “until it was all leavened” uses holos (Strong’s G3650), meaning “whole” or “entire,” emphasizing complete permeation. Together, “leaven the whole” conveys a dynamic process where a small agent effects comprehensive change. Theologically, zymē often carries negative connotations elsewhere (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:6–8, sin as leaven), but here, Jesus redeems the term to depict the Kingdom’s positive, expansive influence.
Theological Significance: The Kingdom’s Pervasive Growth
The Parable of the Leaven reveals the Kingdom of God as starting small yet growing to encompass all. The woman’s act of “hiding” (enkryptō, Strong’s G1470) the leaven suggests intentionality and subtlety, mirroring how Christ’s lordship quietly transforms hearts and societies. This aligns with related parables, like the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32), emphasizing growth from humble beginnings. The “three pecks of flour” (approximately 111 cups of flour) signifies a vast scope, pointing to the Kingdom’s ultimate reach. Theologically, this reflects God’s redemptive plan: Christ, the Messiah, initiates a Kingdom that grows organically with intentionality, permeating every sphere of existence.
Christological Fulfillment: Jesus as the Leaven
The phrase “leaven the whole” prophetically points to Jesus as the Messiah and King. As the leaven, Christ is the transformative agent, actively working through His Spirit to redeem creation. His incarnation—humble yet powerful—parallels the hidden leaven, and His lordship, already present (Luke 17:21), expands toward eternal fulfillment (Revelation 11:15). This dual reality underscores that Jesus’ kingship is not merely future but operative now, transforming lives and cultures through the Gospel. The parable reveals divine attributes: God’s patience in gradual transformation, His sovereignty in ensuring complete permeation, and His redemptive intent through Christ’s reign.
Implications for Disciples: Transformative Mission
For contemporary believers, the Parable of the Leaven is a call to action. As disciple-makers, we emulate the woman, strategically sowing the Gospel’s “leaven” through persistent, patient efforts. The promise of comprehensive transformation encourages us to expect growth, as seen in Acts 1:8, where the Gospel spreads globally. We model Christ’s lordship by living out Kingdom values, trusting that small acts—prayer, witness, service—yield eternal impact. This parable assures us that Jesus’ reign, already inaugurated, will ultimately “leaven the whole,” filling the earth with His glory (Habakkuk 2:14).
Conclusion: The Expansive Kingdom and Christ’s Lordship
The Parable of the Leaven unveils the transformative power of Christ’s lordship, both now and forever. Through the linguistic lens of zymē and holos, we see a Kingdom that starts small but grows to encompass all, reflecting Jesus’ messianic mission. This truth inspires believers to participate in God’s redemptive plan with patience and persistence, confident that Christ’s reign is actively shaping the present age and will fully manifest in eternity. The parable’s message resonates: Jesus, the King, is leavening the whole, and His Kingdom will prevail.
Disciple-Maker’s Short Story
The Leaven of Hope
The retreat center, a cluster of low-roofed buildings tucked into a South Asian hillside, hummed faintly with the buzz of cicadas. Dust hung in the air, stirred by the footsteps of weary missionaries gathered in a dimly lit room. Their faces, etched with exhaustion, bore the weight of war-torn streets, austere living conditions, and the sting of scarce converts in a land resistant to their message. Tanner, an older missionary with silver hair and eyes that held both fire and calm, stood before them, his worn Bible open to Matthew 13:33.
“Read it aloud,” Tanner said, his voice steady but warm, like a hearth in winter. A young woman, Sarah, her hands calloused from hauling water, read: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” The room fell silent, save for the creak of bamboo chairs. Tanner’s gaze swept over the group—twenty souls, each wrestling with doubt.
“You feel it, don’t you?” he began, leaning forward. “The grind. The war outside these walls. The whispers that your work’s for nothing.” Heads nodded, some eyes glistening. “But this parable,” he tapped the page, “it’s a promise. The Kingdom’s like leaven—small, hidden, but unstoppable. It’s not just a future hope; it’s working now, through you.”
He paused, letting the words settle. “The Greek word for leaven, means something alive, fermenting, changing everything it touches. And ‘the whole,’ means nothing’s left untouched. Jesus is that leaven—His life, His example, His Spirit, His reign. He’s already at work in this country, in every heart you’ve shared the gospel with, prayed for, every act of kindness you’ve sown.”
Mark, a wiry missionary with a scarred cheek, spoke up, his voice hoarse. “But Tanner, we’ve been here years. We’ve seen more graves than baptisms. How’s that leaven working?” Murmurs rippled through the group. Tanner’s smile was gentle but unyielding.
“Think of the woman in the parable,” he said. “She hid the leaven with purpose, knowing it would spread. Jesus, our King, is already Lord, not just in some distant glory but today! Look at Luke 17:21 – “For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” His reign grows quietly, through your persistence, your prayers, even your tears. You’re not failing—you’re kneading the dough.”
The room stirred. Sarah clutched her Bible, her knuckles whitening. “So what do we do?” she asked, voice trembling with both fatigue and hope.
“Become like Him,” Tanner said. “Jesus, the leaven, gave Himself fully—humble, patient, relentless. Live like that. Love without counting the cost. Share the Gospel, even when it feels futile. Every small act—every meal shared, every wound bandaged—is leaven hidden in this land. The Kingdom’s growing, and one day, it’ll fill everything – Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”
As night fell, the missionaries lingered, their exhaustion tempered by resolve. They sang songs and prayed together, voices rising like dough, trusting the unseen work of their King. Tanner watched, his heart swelling, knowing the leaven was already at work, transforming them, their country, and the world.
Let me tell you a story—or rather, several stories like branches growing from the same vine. They are stories about waiting through winter, about barren soil turning fertile, about the careful pruning of the Great Vinedresser who produces life from what once seemed fruitless.
The Ancient Chorus of Empty Cradles
Picture three couples, separated by centuries but united by a common ache. Their stories echo through Scripture like a refrain in a song you can’t quite forget.
First, there’s Sarah and Abraham. God whispers a promise to Abraham under a canopy of stars: descendants as numerous as those pinpricks of light above. But years crawl by, and Sarah’s womb remains closed. Abraham lies awake at night wondering who will inherit everything he’s built. The promise feels like a cruel joke until, impossibly, laughter fills their tent when Isaac arrives—his very name meaning “he laughs.” (Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 15:2-3, Genesis 21:1-5)
Then there’s Elizabeth and Zechariah, righteous and blameless, yet bearing the quiet shame that their culture heaped upon the childless. Neighbors whispered. Relatives offered unwanted advice. But God was writing a different story, one that would burst into the world with John the Baptist’s wild cry in the wilderness. When Elizabeth finally held her son, she declared what her heart had always known: God sees, God remembers, God restores. (Luke 1:5-25)
And Hannah and Elkanah—oh, Hannah’s story cuts deepest of all. Year after year, she climbed the temple steps with tears streaming down her face. Her rival mocked her. Her husband tried to comfort her but couldn’t understand. One day, broken open by grief, she prayed so desperately that the priest thought she was drunk. But God heard every silent scream, every whispered plea. When Samuel came, she kept her promise and gave him back to the Lord—a mother’s ultimate act of faith. (1 Samuel 1:1-28)
The Shift: From Cradles to Disciples
My heart goes out to those who are struggling with the physical, emotional, and even social challenges associated with not being able to have children. Even now we are praying daily for dear friends in exactly this situation. The ancient accounts of physical barrenness, like those of Sarah or Hannah, certainly have instructions and application for those who are struggling with barrenness today. But these long shadows touch another kind of emptiness: spiritual barrenness, a longing that doesn’t always show up on a family tree or in an empty nursery.
There are those who are crying out for spiritual children. They are laboring to see people who are born again, grow to maturity in Christ, and multiply His gospel to others. The Apostle Paul understood this well. He longed to see the lost reached and he counts those whom he ushers into the kingdom like his spiritual children. He called Timothy and Titus his true sons in the faith—not born from his body, but from the investment of his evangelistic efforts, teaching, and love (1 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4). He discipled the Thessalonian church like a father and mother (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12). And he agonized over the Corinthian church like a parent when they were being led astray by false apostles (1 Corinthians 4:14-16).
To be sure, Jesus warns against assuming the controlling and positional leadership of a “father” but He certainly is not telling us not to parent, teach, and lead those we are discipling. He is warning against the vain ambition of positional leadership that interferes with one’s loyalty to the true Father, Teacher, and Master. But He is not forbidding relational leadership that is quick to point to the ultimate authority.
A Personal Wilderness: Walking Through My Own Desert
Now let me tell you about my experience.
As an Army Chaplain, Fort Jackson stretched before Deb and I like an endless wasteland of disappointment. I was in my early forties, watching guys younger than I lead thriving ministries—groups of fifty, sixty, a hundred young believers gathering around them. Meanwhile, I knocked on barrack doors that never opened. I shared the gospel with soldiers who nodded politely and walked away. Week after week, month after month, year after year, nothing.
The fruitlessness was suffocating.
I developed a routine born of desperation. At four-thirty in the morning, before the sun dared show its face, I’d slip out and walk the trails. Not for exercise—for privacy. I needed a place where no one could see this Airborne Ranger cry. Where no one could witness the questions I hurled at heaven: “God, am I in the wrong place? Did I miss Your call? Why is everyone else fruitful while I’m dying in this desert?”
One particular morning stands out like a scar on my memory. I couldn’t even make it down the trail. I collapsed to my knees right there, tears mixing with the dust, and I broke. Every wall I’d built around my disappointment crumbled.
“Help us, Lord,” I begged. “We need Your power. We need Your Spirit. We need Your blessing. Please.”
In that moment—I can’t say I felt any relief like Hannah did. In fact, my wife and I made a commitment. We weren’t going to try to force the ministry into existence. If God didn’t do something, we were just going to watch the grass grow. But God had heard. He was working, even if I couldn’t see it yet.
Shortly after, orders came through: Fort Benning.
The change wasn’t just geographical; it was spiritual. Suddenly the doors that had been bolted shut swung open. Soldiers began to show interest in spiritual things and started asking questions. Disciples appeared—genuine, hungry believers who wanted to grow. The barren ground began to bloom. Soon we were networking with ministries on every major Army installation sending them the enlisted and officers we had discipled for Jesus.
Looking back, I understand now what I couldn’t see then: that wilderness season wasn’t wasted time. It was preparation. Those tear-soaked trails during my morning walks were my deepest lessons, my training ground for radical dependence on God. The frustration taught me to pray like I’d never prayed before. The apparent failure stripped away my confidence in my own abilities and forced me to cling to God’s promises alone. We would never again experience that kind of barrenness. God gave us spiritual kids, lots and lots of kids!
The Fort Benning Ministry 2009
The Hannah Syndrome: A Prayer for Disciple-Makers
I call it the “Hannah Syndrome” now—that season of deep longing, persistent prayer, and faithful waiting for fruit that hasn’t yet appeared. Every disciple-maker I’ve mentored has faced it. Every church planter knows it. That stretch of time when you’re sowing seeds in what feels like concrete, when you’re speaking truth into what seems like a void.
Young couples come to us now, starting new ministries, planting churches, and they ask with anxious eyes: “How long until we see results? When will people respond? Are we doing something wrong?”
We tell them our story. We tell them about those predawn trails. We remind them that God’s timeline rarely matches our expectations, but His timing is always perfect. Spiritual fruit grows in God’s seasons, not ours. He is doing a work in us as we desire Him to do a work through us. He is molding and shaping that which only comes from enduring the pains that come before childbirth in order to prevail in the arduous work of childrearing.
Even Jesus experienced this in His ministry. There are only two times we read about Jesus crying. Once was right before He raised His dear friend Lazarus from the dead and once was over the lostness of His people.
“When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes…'” (Luke 19:41-42)
Now there are billions of people who have professed Christ as Lord and His Father is their Father.
For most Christians this ache of the heart is very foreign. They are just trying to manage the affairs of everyday life and keep their heads above water. The goal is to be a “good” person and make it into heaven. But for those of us who are gripped by the brokenness we see all around us and Jesus’ heart for the lost, we are compelled by His Great Commission to see scores of people being born again. His heart has become our heart.
The Heart is More Important than the Method
But before we convince ourselves that all we need to do is get up early, walk on a trail, and shed a few tears, then God is obligated to give us a booming ministry. That would be what I like to call “Meth-idolatry.” No, it’s all about aligning our hearts with God and believing that He is willing and able to give us spiritual offspring. The power is in the prayer of a heart seeking the same things Jesus is. He teaches us that we need to be patient and persistent in His parable about the widow demanding justice;
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent. ‘ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out. ‘” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1–8)
It’s not about doing the right thing to see the right results. It’s about becoming the kind of person God can entrust His children to. The right kind of people will do the right things because they have the right heart. This is the pre-birth work the Holy Spirit is doing in us as we develop into trustworthy disciple-makers.
From Tears to Promise
I hope to encourage those of you who are going through a season of barrenness. Your God feels your aching heart. He sees your passionate desire to make a difference. He knows you are trying hard to see the kingdom advance in your little area of responsibility. He is the One who promised;
Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5–6)
But remember He also admonished us with these words;
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
So keep sharing the gospel. Keep making disciples and being the church. Keep loving people the way Jesus loves people. Keep praying. Never quit. We will bear fruit in His season. It may not happen in our sense of timing. It may not look like what we expect. We might not even see it this side of heaven. But for those who abide in Christ, it is a promise from God.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure, found in Matthew 13:44, is a concise yet profound teaching of Jesus, illustrating the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Nestled within a series of parables in Matthew 13, this narrative speaks to the heart of Jesus’ ministry, revealing the Kingdom as a treasure worth sacrificing everything to possess. Spoken to a mixed audience of disciples and seekers, the parable underscores the joy and cost of discovering God’s reign.
Key Words and Phrases
The Greek term kryptō (G2928), meaning “to hide” or “conceal,” carries nuances of intentional secrecy, suggesting the Kingdom’s value is not immediately apparent but requires divine revelation to uncover. Its etymology implies a treasure veiled from casual observers, accessible only to those who earnestly seek (Luke 11:9-10). The phrase “sells all” combines pipraskō (G4097), meaning “to sell” or “exchange,” with pas (G3956), meaning “all” or “every.” Together, they denote a total, unqualified surrender of possessions, reflecting a deliberate and joyful transaction for something of greater worth. These terms frame the Kingdom as both a hidden gift and a costly pursuit, requiring complete devotion.
Theological Significance: The Kingdom and Christ’s Lordship
Theologically, the parable reveals the Kingdom of Heaven as a treasure surpassing all earthly value, embodied in Jesus as the Messiah and King. The “hidden” nature of the treasure points to Christ’s veiled glory during His earthly ministry, where only those with eyes of faith recognized Him as the Son of God (John 1:10-11). Does He remain hidden today? The act of selling all reflects the radical discipleship Jesus demands—forsaking worldly attachments to gain eternal life (Matthew 16:24-25). This surrender is not loss but gain, as the joy of discovering Christ surpasses all sacrifices. The parable thus portrays God’s redemptive plan: through Christ, the Kingdom is revealed, inviting humanity to exchange temporal pursuits for eternal communion with the King.
Christological Fulfillment: Jesus as the Treasure
The treasure symbolizes the kingdom and the King, Christ Himself, the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46), whose lordship is both present and eternal. His hiddenness reflects the mystery of the Incarnation, where divine glory was cloaked in humility (Philippians 2:6-8). Yet, His lordship is not merely a future hope; it is a present reality, reigning in the hearts of believers through faith and obedience (Luke 17:21). The act of selling all prophetically points to Christ’s own sacrifice, giving His life to purchase humanity’s redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19), fulfilling the Kingdom’s establishment through His death and resurrection.
Transformative Power for Believers
For contemporary Christians, the Parable of the Hidden Treasure calls for a life of radical commitment to Christ’s lordship. The joy of discovering the Kingdom compels believers to prioritize Jesus above all, reflecting His kingship in daily choices. Disciple-makers, as noted, must convey this treasure’s incomparable value, urging others to seek and surrender to the King. The parable challenges believers to examine whether Christ brings ultimate joy and to share this discovery with others, fostering a community that embodies the Kingdom’s present reality while anticipating its eternal fulfillment (Revelation 21:3-4).
Conclusion: The Eternal and Present Kingdom
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure reveals Jesus as the priceless treasure, hidden yet accessible, demanding all yet offering infinite joy. Its linguistic roots underscore the cost and mystery of discipleship, while its theological depth unveils Christ’s lordship as both a present and future reality. By selling all to gain the Kingdom, believers embrace Jesus’ eternal reign, transforming their lives and witnessing to the world. This parable, simple yet profound, calls Christians to live under Christ’s kingship today, confident in the expansive, eternal nature of God’s Kingdom.
Disciple Maker’s Short Story
The Treasure in the Mirror
The hum of hairdryers filled Monai’s beauty shop, a cozy haven in the heart of their small town. Mirrors lined the walls, reflecting the warm glow of pendant lights and the vibrant chatter of three single mothers in their thirties: Monai, Lelia, and Kyesha. Monai, scissors in hand, worked deftly on Kyesha’s braids, her shop a sanctuary where faith and friendship intertwined. Lelia sat nearby, flipping through a magazine but listening intently, her eyes sharp with sisterly concern.
Kyesha sighed, her reflection betraying a restless heart. “I met this guy, Devon, at the community center. He’s charming, got a good job. I think he could be the one—for me and the kids.” Her voice wavered, seeking approval.
Lelia set the magazine down, her gaze steady but gentle. “Kyesha, you’ve said that before. Remember Marcus? And Jamal? You’re searching for a husband to fix everything, but no man can fill that void. Only Jesus can.”
Kyesha’s shoulders tensed, her fingers fidgeting with the cape around her neck. “I know you’re right, Lelia, but it’s hard. I want a father for my kids, a partner, I’m tired of doing this alone.”
Monai paused, her scissors hovering. She caught Kyesha’s eyes in the mirror. “Girl, listen. You’re looking for a treasure, but you’re digging in the wrong field. You remember that parable Jesus told? The one about the hidden treasure?” She gestured toward a worn Bible on the counter, its pages marked with notes from their weekly discipleship meetings. “In Matthew 13:44, a man finds a treasure so valuable he sells everything to buy the field it’s hidden in. That treasure? It’s Jesus. His Kingdom. Not a husband, not a perfect life—just Him.”
Kyesha’s brow furrowed. “But what does that even mean for me? I’m trying to survive, raise my kids, pay bills. I don’t have time to chase some hidden treasure.”
Lelia leaned forward, her voice soft but firm. “It’s not about chasing, Kyesha. It’s about seeking. Jesus said in Luke 11:9, ‘Seek, and you will find.’ The Kingdom’s hidden because it’s not flashy like the world’s promises. It’s Jesus—His love, His peace, His strength. When you find Him, really find Him, it’s joy like nothing else. And you’ve got to give up everything to hold onto it.”
“Everything?” Kyesha’s voice cracked. “I don’t have much to give.”
Monai resumed braiding, her hands steady but her words piercing. “It’s not about money or stuff. It’s your heart. Your plans. Your need to control the future. Jesus gave it all for you—His life, His glory. He’s asking you to trust Him with everything, too. That’s what ‘sells all’ means. And when you do, you’ll see He’s already ruling as King, right now, in your life.”
Kyesha’s eyes glistened, her reflection showing a woman wrestling with hope. “But what about my kids? A husband?”
Lelia smiled, touching Kyesha’s arm. “When you put Jesus first, you start to look like Him—loving, strong, wise. That’s the kind of woman who attracts a godly man, if that’s God’s plan. But even if it’s not, Jesus is enough. His Kingdom’s worth more than anything.”
The shop fell quiet, save for the snip of Monai’s scissors. Kyesha stared into the mirror, seeing not just her half-finished braids but a glimpse of something deeper—a treasure hidden in her heart, waiting to be claimed. She whispered, “I want that treasure. I want that joy.”
Monai grinned, her hands weaving faith into every braid. “Then keep seeking, sister. He’s right there, and He’s worth it all.”
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46 NASB95)
Introduction
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, found in Matthew 13:45-46, is a succinct yet profound illustration of the kingdom of heaven’s incomparable value. Spoken by Jesus amidst a series of parables, it portrays a merchant who, upon finding a pearl of “great value,” sells all he possesses to acquire it. This narrative, set in the context of Jesus’ teachings on the kingdom, underscores the radical commitment required to embrace God’s reign. The terms “great value” and “sold all” serve as linguistic and theological anchors, revealing the kingdom’s worth and the response it demands. This essay explores these terms’ linguistic roots, their theological significance, and their prophetic connection to Jesus as Messiah and King, emphasizing His present and eternal Lordship.
Key Words and Phrases
The phrase “great value” in Matthew 13:46 derives from the Greek polytimos (Strong’s G4186), meaning “very costly” or “of great price.” Etymologically, poly (much) and timē (price, honor) suggest something of immense worth, surpassing ordinary valuation. This term, used only twice in the New Testament (here and in 1 Peter 2:7), underscores the pearl’s supreme desirability, pointing to the kingdom’s divine preciousness. The phrase “sold all” involves the Greek pipraskō (Strong’s G4097), meaning “to sell” or “exchange,” and panta (Strong’s G3956), meaning “all things.” Together, they convey total divestment, a complete surrender of possessions for the pearl’s acquisition. These terms frame the kingdom as both priceless and demanding absolute commitment.
Theological Significance: The Kingdom and Christ’s Lordship
Theologically, the pearl symbolizes the kingdom of heaven, which is inseparable from Jesus Himself as its King. The merchant’s pursuit mirrors the seeker’s journey to find Christ, the “one thing of greatest value” Philippians 3:8. The act of selling all reflects the cost of discipleship, echoing Jesus’ call to forsake all for Him Luke 14:33. This radical exchange reveals divine attributes: God’s kingdom is of infinite worth, freely offered yet requiring total surrender. The parable points to God’s redemptive plan, where Christ, the pearl, is both the treasure and the price paid through His atoning death 1 Corinthians 6:20. Prophetically, it foreshadows Christ’s eternal reign, where His Lordship is fully realized Revelation 11:15. Yet, Jesus’ kingship is not merely future; His Lordship is real in this age, transforming lives through submission to His rule Romans 14:9.
Implications for Disciples Today
In its first-century context, the parable challenged not only materialistic values, but all values, urging listeners to prioritize the kingdom over earthly concerns. It’s expressed fully in 1 John;
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)
Disciple-makers should exemplify this by demonstrating joy in surrender and guiding others to discover the kingdom’s worth. The parable’s interconnectedness with other scriptures, like the Parable of the Hidden Treasure Matthew 13:44, reinforces the theme of sacrificial pursuit, weaving a cohesive biblical narrative of God’s redemptive invitation.
Conclusion: Transformative Power of the Pearl
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price illuminates Jesus’ kingship and the kingdom’s eternal expanse. By selling all for the pearl, believers embrace Christ’s present Lordship, experiencing transformation through surrender. This act of faith aligns with God’s redemptive plan, pointing to the day when Christ’s reign is fully manifested. For contemporary Christians, the parable inspires a life of radical commitment, reflecting the kingdom’s supreme value in every decision. As disciple-makers model this pursuit, they testify to Jesus, the Pearl, whose worth demands all yet offers infinite satisfaction.
Disciple-Makers Short Story
The Pearl Worth Finding
The jewelry store settled into afternoon stillness, with only the measured heartbeat of a wall clock marking time. Terry traced circles on a glass display case, his reflection wavering among diamond prisms and gold bands. At thirty-two, he had found his anchor in faith—a calling that transformed even the most ordinary moments into opportunities for purpose.
The bell above the door sighed, and a man stepped inside—silver threading his temples, shoulders carrying invisible weight, eyes holding stories Terry could only guess at.
“Welcome,” Terry said, offering warmth in a simple word. “Something special brings you in today?”
“Zach,” the man offered with a slight nod. “It’s our thirtieth anniversary. I need a pearl necklace for my wife.” His voice carried a quiet determination beneath the surface, as if this gift represented more than celebration—perhaps redemption.
Terry guided him toward a display where pearls gleamed under careful light. “A perfect choice for thirty years,” he said, arranging several strands with gentle precision. “Pearls are born from adversity—beauty crafted through endurance. Like a marriage that’s weathered storms.”
Zach’s fingers hovered above a strand of luminous spheres, not quite touching. “Beauty from adversity,” he repeated, something shifting behind his eyes. “That’s fitting. We’ve traveled a long road to reach this milestone.”
Terry tilted his head slightly. “There’s a story there.”
Zach hesitated, then released a breath as if letting go of something heavy. “We married young, drunk on dreams. Then life sobered us—jobs, children, mistakes. Mine, mostly.” He looked away. “For a while, it seemed we wouldn’t make it. We did, but something essential slipped away during those years. Faith, maybe. We’ve been talking about finding our way back.”
“What was your relationship with faith before?” Terry asked, careful not to press too hard.
“Church was childhood—something we outgrew when we left home.” Zach’s mouth tightened. “Beginning to think that was where we went wrong.”
Terry nodded, feeling a familiar stirring. “Your choice of pearls reminds me of something Jesus once said—about a merchant searching for fine pearls who discovers one of extraordinary value. He sells everything to possess it. That’s what God’s kingdom resembles: worth everything because it is everything.”
Curiosity flickered across Zach’s face. “The kingdom of God—you mean heaven?”
“Both the future and the present,” Terry said, leaning slightly against the counter. “It’s life under God’s governance with Christ as sovereign. Not just eternity, but transformation now—changing how we love, forgive, perceive. I chased countless things before discovering that Christ himself is the treasure that reorders all other values.”
Something softened in Zach’s expression. “We’ve been considering returning to church, finding solid ground again. But the path isn’t clear to me.”
Terry recognized the opening—subtle but unmistakable. “Have you encountered the heart of the gospel? That God’s love sent His Son to live among us, perfect where we fail, paying our debt through His death? That He conquered death itself and now reigns? That’s the beginning and culmination—living in His kingdom now and forever. He is that pearl of incomparable worth.”
Zach’s brow furrowed. “Everything? That’s an enormous asking price.”
“It is,” Terry acknowledged. “But we prove daily that we’re searching in all the wrong places and coming up empty-handed. His kingship brings authentic peace—not some distant promise, but present reality. I once pursued success relentlessly until finding Christ revealed what truly matters.”
Questions tumbled from Zach, revealing deeper currents. “How can you be certain He’s worth such sacrifice? What if you surrender everything and He proves insufficient?” His voice revealed old wounds—a marriage once stretched to breaking.
Terry considered before answering. “For me, it’s the peace I’ve discovered, the sense of purpose. Christ gave everything first—His very life. That love draws me toward reflection of His character—patience, selflessness. The journey isn’t simple, but its value is unquestionable. Perhaps like your marriage? Difficult passages, yet here you stand, still fighting for what matters.”
Zach nodded, something like hope kindling in his eyes. “Yes. We need something far greater than what we’ve been scavenging for all these years.”
“Could we continue this conversation?” Zach asked, tentative but resolute. “Maybe over coffee?”
Terry smiled. “I’d like that. And if your wife is interested, perhaps my Julie could join us.” He extended his business card. “My cell and email are here.”
“This has been unexpected,” Zach said, hand closing around the card. “This necklace will mark our anniversary, but what you’re describing might save more than our marriage.”
“Yes,” Terry agreed. “Much more.”
As the door closed behind Zach, Terry felt quiet satisfaction settle over him. In this unremarkable afternoon, he had glimpsed the kingdom’s value mirrored in one man’s humble search—and perhaps offered a signpost toward the King.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:47-50)
Introduction: Contextualizing the Parable
In Matthew 13:47-50, Jesus presents the Parable of the Dragnet, a vivid metaphor for the Kingdom of Heaven. Set within a series of kingdom parables, this passage likens the kingdom to a dragnet cast into the sea, gathering fish of every kind. At the end of the age, the angels sort the catch, keeping the good and throwing away the bad, with the wicked cast into a furnace of fire. This parable reveals the nature of Christ’s kingship, the reality of divine judgment, and the eternal scope of God’s redemptive plan, emphasizing Jesus’ present and future lordship.
Key Words and Phrases
Dragnet – σαγήνη (Strong’s G4522 – sagēnē) – refers to a large fishing net dragged across the sea to capture all in its path, derived from a root suggesting enclosure or sweeping inclusivity. This imagery underscores the kingdom’s universal reach, gathering both righteous and wicked.
Threw away – ἐκβάλλω (Strong’s G1544 – ekballō) – meaning to cast out or expel, carries a forceful connotation of rejection, often used for divine judgment (John 12:31).
End of the age – συντέλεια (Strong’s G4930 – synteleia) and αἰών (Strong’s G165 – aiōn) denotes the consummation of the current era, a time of divine reckoning (Matthew 24:3). These terms collectively paint a picture of Christ’s sovereign authority as the Messiah and King, orchestrating a final, discerning judgment.
Theological Significance: The Kingdom and Its King
The dragnet symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven’s present inclusivity, where righteous and wicked coexist under Christ’s lordship (Matthew 13:24-30). Jesus, as the Messiah, is the King who reigns now through grace and will return in glory to judge (Revelation 19:11-16). His dual nature—loving yet just—is evident: He offers salvation to all but executes righteous judgment, separating the righteous for eternal life and the wicked for punishment (2 Corinthians 5:10). The angels’ role highlights Christ’s delegated authority, affirming His divine sovereignty (Matthew 25:31-32). The “end of the age” points to the eschatological fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, where Christ’s eternal reign is fully realized in Daniel 7:14.
Christological Fulfillment: Jesus as Present and Future King
The parable reveals Jesus as the Messiah who reigns presently, calling all to repentance (Mark 1:15), yet His lordship awaits ultimate fulfillment. The dragnet’s gathering reflects the gospel’s universal call, while the sorting signifies Christ’s discerning judgment as King (John 5:22). His current reign transforms believers through the Holy Spirit, preparing them for the kingdom’s consummation. The act of “throwing away” the bad fish prefigures the final separation, where Christ’s justice ensures the wicked face divine consequence (Revelation 20:15), while His love preserves the righteous (John 10:28).
Implications for Believers: Transformative Power
For contemporary Christians, this parable underscores the urgency of living under Christ’s lordship now. Disciple-makers must teach the reality of judgment, the necessity of genuine faith (Matthew 7:21), and the consequences of unrepentance (Luke 13:3). The dragnet’s imagery encourages believers to embody righteousness amidst a mixed world, trusting in Christ’s redemptive grace (Galatians 6:9). By recognizing Jesus’ present kingship, believers are empowered to live as kingdom citizens, anticipating the eternal glory of His reign.
Conclusion: The Eternal Kingdom and Its King
The Parable of the Dragnet reveals Jesus as the sovereign King, whose lordship is real now and will be fully manifested at the end of the age. The terms sagēnē, ekbállō, and suntéleia aiōnos illuminate His inclusive yet discerning reign, balancing love and justice. This concept calls believers to urgent evangelism, genuine faith, and patient endurance, transforming their lives as they await Christ’s eternal kingdom (Revelation 22:5). Through this parable, Jesus’ kingship shines as both a present reality and a future hope, inviting all to submit to His redemptive rule.
Disciple-Maker’s Short Story
The Dragnet at Dusk
The sun dipped low over the bay, painting the water in hues of amber and violet as Lisa and Elly pedaled along the coastal road, their mountain bikes humming against the asphalt. The salty breeze carried the tang of the sea, mingling with the creak of fishing boats bobbing at the docks. Elly’s tires wobbled slightly as her gaze lingered on the boats, their nets draped like veils over weathered decks. Her mind drifted to the passage she’d read that morning—Matthew 13:47-50, the Parable of the Dragnet, where Jesus spoke of a net gathering fish of every kind, only to be sorted at the end of the age.
“Let’s take a break,” Elly called, slowing her bike near a rocky outcrop with a sweeping view of the ocean. The two women dismounted, leaning their bikes against a weathered bench. The horizon shimmered, a canvas of divine artistry, and Elly’s heart stirred with questions. She turned to Lisa, her friend and mentor, whose steady faith had always grounded her. “Lisa, I read about the good and bad fish this morning. The dragnet. What does it mean? It’s been stuck in my head all day.”
Lisa sat on the bench, her eyes tracing the waves. She was older, her face etched with lines of quiet wisdom, yet her presence radiated warmth. “The dragnet,” she began, her voice soft but deliberate, “is about the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said it’s like a net cast wide, pulling in everyone—righteous and wicked alike. But at the end, there’s a sorting. The good are kept; the bad are cast away.”
Elly frowned, kicking a pebble with her sneaker. “It sounds so final. Like there’s no room for mistakes.” Her life felt like a tangled net—moments of faith knotted with doubts, her temper flaring too often, her patience fraying with her coworkers. She wanted to be good, but the weight of her flaws made her wonder if she’d be “thrown away.”
Lisa’s gaze softened, reading Elly’s unspoken fears. “It’s not about being perfect, Elly. The parable shows Jesus as King—loving, just, and sovereign. He’s reigning now, not just at the end. The net’s still in the water, gathering us all. It’s why we’re called to become like Him, to let His Spirit shape us into the ‘good fish’—not by our strength, but by His grace.”
Elly hugged her knees, the ocean’s rhythm steadying her. “But how? I mess up all the time. I yelled at my boss last week. I’m not… righteous.”
Lisa leaned forward, her voice carrying the weight of conviction. “The righteous aren’t sinless. They’re the ones who trust Jesus, who let Him transform them. Look at John 10:28—He holds us, and no one can snatch us away. The sorting isn’t about earning your place; it’s about surrendering to His kingship now. Every choice to love, to forgive, to repent—it’s you becoming more like Him.”
The words sank deep, stirring a quiet resolve in Elly. She thought of Galatians 6:9—not growing weary in doing good. Maybe her small acts of kindness, her prayers for patience, were threads in a net being woven by a greater hand. The boats in the bay rocked gently, their nets a reminder of Christ’s inclusive call, yet also His promise of justice. She wanted to live for that King, to reflect His heart in a world of tangled nets.
As the last light faded, Elly stood, her bike ready. “I want to be like Him,” she said, almost to herself. “Not just for the end, but now.”
Lisa smiled, mounting her bike and turning on her headlamp. “That’s the Kingdom, Elly. It’s here, in you, growing. Let’s ride.”
They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him.
My Thoughts
Can you imagine being able to say what Jesus just said? Let me paraphrase, “I have only done and said exactly what God wants me to and I have always pleased Him.” WOW! That’s incredible! And the response? Many believed in Him!
I don’t know about you but if someone I knew made that statement, my response wouldn’t be to believe. I would be rolling my eyeballs and shaking my head. Why? Because I know people. But I think that was the very thing that these people who believed in Him rested their faith in, they knew Him.
They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well…” (Mark 7:37)
Or when He challenges the religious leaders with this question;
Which one of you convicts Me of sin? (John 8:46)
WOW AGAIN! Jesus had a reputation and it matched what He said and how He said it.
Now, let me go from preaching to meddling. Jesus makes an astounding statement about His words, His speech, His language. He didn’t say anything that wouldn’t have passed through the Father’s lips first. I don’t know about you but I find that extremely convicting. And the reason I bring this up as a disciple maker is because I’m alarmed at the language I hear Christians using today. I expect the world to be profane and coarse but not those who profess to be disciples of Jesus. Everyone from dignitaries, to government officials, to pastors preaching from the pulpit are droppin’ the F-Bomb like there’s no tomorrow. Well, there is a tomorrow!
But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36)
Jesus is not just talking about profanity, its words that don’t edify, encourage, challenge, and exhort others in a godly manner. Shouldn’t our language be starkly different from the world? Maybe we need to do a little house cleaning (or should I say, mouth cleaning).
My Story
There’s an old saying, “He swears like a sailor.” Whoever made that up hadn’t met an Airborne Ranger. Surely they would have found a better example for one who uses foul language. In fact that was one of the hardest battles I had to fight as a new Christian. It took me a while but through a little discipline and a lot of grace I managed to control my tongue (as far as profanity goes). As I made disciples, I would challenge them to watch their language as it has an impact on their witness not to mention displeases their Lord. I heard every excuse in the book from “It’s just words” to “That seems legalistic” to “It’s the only language soldiers understand.” I even had some chaplains use these common excuses. Well, I was a Ranger Instructor, and let me assure you my students clearly understood what I was saying without all the expletives sprinkled into good old-fashioned English.
So how did I get a handle on the words coming out of my mouth? First, I had to be convinced it was wrong to use this kind of language.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)
Next, it took a lot of prayer. I’d pray every day during my devotional time that God would clean my mouth up.
Next I had to have a standard. My standard was if I couldn’t say it in front of my grandmother, it probably would be offensive. So I used vocabulary that was appropriate for women, children, and old people. (By the way, this standard would not apply to some grandmothers today)
Lastly, I applied persevering discipline. I carried a 3×5 card in my back pocket and every time I cussed, I put a mark on it. At first, by the end of the day, it was dripping with ink. Finally it was once a day, then once a week, and then once a month. Then one year when my Korean troops dropped an outhouse on my head, I let one slip. It took a deliberate plan to get my language under control.
Don’t get me wrong, I still can’t make the statement Jesus made but I am working on it. As disciple makers let’s set an example of godly speech and encourage those we disciple to do the same.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
Monitor your words. Are they words the Father or Jesus would use?
Make an intentional plan to change your speech patterns.
Talk to those you are discipling about the importance of godly language.
Jesus only spoke what the Father wanted Him to speak. If we are going to be like Him we need to be mindful of what comes out of our mouths too. We won’t be perfect but we can strive to move that direction.
Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan para evaluar el lenguaje del Maestro y esforzarnos por emular sus altos estándares.
Comencemos.
Juan 8:27-30
No entendían que les hablaba del Padre. Entonces Jesús dijo: «Cuando hayan levantado al Hijo del Hombre, entonces sabrán que yo soy, y que no hago nada por mi cuenta, sino que hablo exactamente lo que el Padre me ha enseñado. El que me envió está conmigo; no me ha dejado solo, porque siempre hago lo que le agrada». Mientras Jesús decía estas cosas, muchos creyeron en él.
Mis Pensamientos
¿Te imaginas poder decir lo que Jesús acaba de decir? Permítanme parafrasear: “Solo he hecho y dicho exactamente lo que Dios quiere que haga y siempre le he agradado”. ¡GUAU! ¡Increíble! ¿Y la respuesta? ¡Muchos creyeron en Él!
No sé ustedes, pero si alguien que yo conociera hiciera esa declaración, mi reacción sería no creer. Pondría los ojos en blanco y negaría con la cabeza. ¿Por qué? Porque conozco gente. Pero creo que precisamente en eso depositaban su fe estas personas que creían en Él: lo conocían.
Quedaron completamente asombrados, diciendo: “Todo lo ha hecho bien…” (Marcos 7:37).
O cuando desafía a los líderes religiosos con esta pregunta:
¿Quién de ustedes me convence de pecado? (Juan 8:46).
¡GUAU! Jesús tenía una reputación que coincidía con lo que decía y cómo lo decía.
Ahora, pasemos de la predicación a la intromisión. Jesús hace una declaración asombrosa sobre sus palabras, su discurso, su lenguaje. No dijo nada que no hubiera salido primero de los labios del Padre. No sé ustedes, pero a mí me parece sumamente condenatorio. Y la razón por la que menciono esto como hacedor de discípulos es porque me alarma el lenguaje que oigo usar a los cristianos hoy en día. Espero que el mundo sea profano y grosero, pero no así quienes profesan ser discípulos de Jesús. Todos, desde dignatarios hasta funcionarios gubernamentales y pastores, predicando desde el púlpito, sueltan palabrotas como si no hubiera un mañana. ¡Pues sí hay un mañana!
Pero yo les digo que de toda palabra insustancial que hablen las personas, darán cuenta de ella en el día del juicio. (Mateo 12:36)
Jesús no solo se refiere a la grosería, sino a palabras que no edifican, animan, desafían ni exhortan a otros de una manera piadosa. ¿No debería nuestro lenguaje ser completamente diferente al del mundo? Quizás necesitemos hacer un poco de limpieza en la casa (o debería decir, limpieza bucal).
Mi Historia
Hay un viejo dicho: “Maldice como un marinero”. Quien lo inventó no conocía a un Ranger del Aire. Seguramente habría encontrado un mejor ejemplo para alguien que usa malas palabras. De hecho, esa fue una de las batallas más difíciles que tuve que librar como nuevo cristiano. Me llevó un tiempo, pero con un poco de disciplina y mucha gracia logré controlar mi lengua (en lo que a blasfemias se refiere). Al hacer discípulos, los retaba a cuidar su lenguaje, ya que impacta en su testimonio, además de desagradar a su Señor. Escuché todas las excusas posibles, desde “Son solo palabras” hasta “Eso parece legalista” y “Es el único idioma que entienden los soldados”. Incluso algunos capellanes usaron estas excusas tan comunes. Bueno, yo era instructor de Rangers, y les aseguro que mis alumnos entendían claramente lo que decía sin todos los improperios que salpicaban el inglés tradicional.
Entonces, ¿cómo lograba controlar las palabras que salían de mi boca? Primero, tuve que convencerme de que estaba mal usar ese tipo de lenguaje.
Que ninguna palabra mala salga de vuestra boca, sino la que sea buena para la necesaria edificación, para que imparta gracia a los que oyen. (Efesios 4:29)
Después, me llevó mucha oración. Oraba todos los días durante mi tiempo devocional para que Dios limpiara mi boca.
Después, tenía que tener un estándar. Mi estándar era que si no podía decirlo delante de mi abuela, probablemente sería ofensivo. Así que usé un vocabulario apropiado para mujeres, niños y ancianos. (Por cierto, este estándar no se aplicaría a algunas abuelas de hoy).
Por último, apliqué una disciplina perseverante. Llevaba una tarjeta de 3×5 en el bolsillo trasero y cada vez que maldecía, le ponía una marca. Al principio, al final del día, estaba empapada de tinta. Finalmente era una vez al día, luego una vez a la semana y luego una vez al mes. Un año, cuando mis tropas coreanas me lanzaron una letrina en la cabeza, se me escapó una. Tuve que hacer un plan deliberado para dominar mi lenguaje.
No me malinterpreten, todavía no puedo decir lo que dijo Jesús, pero estoy trabajando en ello. Como hacedores de discípulos, demos ejemplo de un lenguaje piadoso y animemos a quienes discipulamos a hacer lo mismo.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
Presta atención a tus palabras. ¿Son palabras que usaría el Padre o Jesús?
Haz un plan intencional para cambiar tus patrones de habla.
Habla con quienes estás discipulando sobre la importancia del lenguaje piadoso.
Jesús solo habló lo que el Padre quería que dijera. Si queremos ser como Él, también debemos ser conscientes de lo que sale de nuestra boca. No seremos perfectos, pero podemos esforzarnos por avanzar en esa dirección.
Escritura Orgánica: Sin Inteligencia Artificial ni Edulcorantes Añadidos
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
“And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”” (Matthew 16:17-28 NASB95)
Introduction
In Matthew 16:17-28, Jesus delivers a profound revelation following Peter’s confession of Him as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Set in Caesarea Philippi, a region saturated with pagan worship, Jesus declares, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven… I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (v. 17-19, NASB95).
He concludes by promising that some disciples “will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (v. 28), echoed in Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 as seeing the “kingdom of God come with power.” These passages collectively establish Jesus’ messianic identity, His delegation of authority to His church, and the present and future reality of His kingdom. This essay synthesizes the themes of the “keys of the kingdom,” “binding and loosing,” and “seeing the kingdom in power.”
Key Words and Phrases
The phrase “keys of the kingdom of heaven” hinges on kleis (Strong’s G2807), meaning “key,” derived from kleiō (to shut or lock). Kleis connotes authority to grant or deny access, rooted in the Jewish concept of stewardship (Isaiah 22:22). The “kingdom of heaven” (basileia tōn ouranōn, Strong’s G932) reflects God’s sovereign rule, both spiritual and eschatological, akin to the Hebrew malkuth (dominion). Basileia underscores Christ’s divine kingship, present now and culminating in eternity.
The terms “bind” (deō, Strong’s G1210) and “loose” (lyō, Strong’s G3089) denote tying/restricting and releasing/permitting, respectively. In rabbinic Judaism, these were idiomatic for authoritative decisions—prohibiting or permitting actions under God’s law. The periphrastic future perfect passive (estai dedemenon/lelumenon) in Matthew 16:19 suggests divine ratification of earthly decisions aligned with heaven’s will, linking deō and lyō to the stewardship symbolized by kleis.
The “rock” (petra, Strong’s G4073) upon which Christ builds His church signifies the revelation of Jesus’ divine sonship, not Peter himself, but the truth of His messiahship. In Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1, and Luke 9:27, “see” (horaō, Strong’s G3708) implies not just physical sight but spiritual perception or experiential knowledge, as in recognizing divine authority (John 1:18). “Power” (dynamis, Strong’s G1411) in Mark 9:1 denotes miraculous strength or divine ability, associated with miracles (Luke 4:36), resurrection (Philippians 3:10), and the Spirit’s empowerment (Acts 1:8). Together, these terms frame Jesus’ authority, the church’s role, and the kingdom’s transformative reality.
Theological Significance and Christological Fulfillment
Theologically, the “keys of the kingdom” represent Christ’s delegation of authority to His church, rooted in His identity as Messiah, confessed by Peter (Matthew 16:16). The petra—the revelation of Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God”—is the foundation of the church, which prevails against “the gates of Hades” (v. 18). The kleis empowers believers to proclaim salvation, opening the kingdom to those who accept Christ (Acts 2:38-39) and closing it to unrepentant hearts (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), reflecting God’s redemptive plan through Christ’s death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21).
“Binding and loosing” (deō and lyō) extend this authority to church discipline and instruction. In Matthew 18:15-18, Jesus applies these terms to confronting sin or restoring repentant members, balancing justice and mercy (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; John 20:23). This authority, exercised under Christ’s lordship, ensures the church’s holiness and advances the kingdom. Prophetically, the keys and binding/loosing point to Christ’s eternal reign, where He holds “the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18), fulfilling His role as the Davidic King (Isaiah 9:7).
The promise that some disciples would “see (horaō) the kingdom of God come with power (dynamis)” (Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27) underscores the kingdom’s present and future reality. This was partially fulfilled in the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8), where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus’ divine glory, and at Pentecost (Acts 2), where the Spirit empowered the church. Theologically, this affirms the kingdom’s “already” presence through Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension (Luke 11:20; Ephesians 1:20-23), and its “not yet” consummation at His return (Revelation 11:15). The dynamis of the kingdom—its transformative power—heals, saves, and judges, manifesting Christ’s active lordship today.
Transformative Power for Believers
For contemporary Christians, the kleis symbolizes stewardship of the gospel, empowering believers as priests (1 Peter 2:9) to share Christ’s message and foster kingdom growth. Binding and loosing call for responsible church discipline—confronting sin with grace (Galatians 6:1) and teaching sound doctrine (Titus 2:1)—reflecting Christ’s attributes of justice and mercy. The call to “see” (horaō) the kingdom with dynamis invites disciples to discern God’s redemptive work through the Spirit (Romans 14:17), living under Christ’s lordship now while anticipating His return (Matthew 16:27). This transformative power demands sacrificial living (Matthew 16:24), allegiance to Christ, and participation in His mission to proclaim salvation and advance His unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).
Conclusion
The “keys of the kingdom,” “binding and loosing,” and “seeing the kingdom in power” collectively illuminate Jesus as the Messiah who delegates authority to His church, governs it with divine justice, and manifests His reign with transformative power. Linguistically rooted in kleis, basileia, deō, lyō, petra, horaō, and dynamis, these concepts reveal Christ’s present and eternal lordship, empowering believers to open the kingdom through the gospel, maintain its holiness, and discern its reality. This truth inspires disciples to steward Christ’s message faithfully, embody His kingship, and live in the power of His unshakable kingdom—now and forever.
Disciple-makers Short Story
The Weight of the Keys
The diner smelled of grease and coffee, a comforting haze after the morning’s drills. Calvin and Owen slid into a cracked vinyl booth, their firemen’s jackets slung over the seats, still damp with sweat. The clatter of plates and the hum of conversation filled the air, but Calvin’s mind was elsewhere—on a passage that had been gnawing at him for weeks. Owen, his rookie partner, was nursing a Coke, his eyes heavy from the training but curious as Calvin leaned forward, Bible open on the table.
“Alright, Owen,” Calvin began, his voice low but steady, “you asked about that tough bit in Matthew 16. Peter’s confession, the keys, all that. It’s heavy stuff, but it’s worth unpacking.” He tapped the page. “This is where Jesus changes everything.”
Owen raised an eyebrow, swirling the ice in his glass. “Yeah, you said it’s about authority or something. But what’s with the ‘keys of the kingdom’? Sounds like a fairy tale.”
Calvin chuckled, but his eyes were serious. “It’s no fairy tale. It’s power—real power. Let’s start with Peter. He’s just a fisherman, right? Rough around the edges, impulsive. But in Caesarea Philippi, surrounded by pagan shrines, he says, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ That’s not just a guess, Owen. Jesus says it’s a revelation straight from God. That’s the rock—the truth of who Jesus is. Not Peter himself, but what he confessed.”
Owen nodded slowly, leaning in. “Okay, so Jesus is the Messiah. Got it. But what’s with the keys?”
Calvin’s fingers traced the verse. “Jesus tells Peter, ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.’ The Greek word for key is kleis—it’s about authority, like a steward who can open or lock a door. In Jewish tradition, keys meant you were trusted with something big, like running a household. Here, it’s the gospel itself. Jesus is saying, ‘You’re my steward, Peter. You get to open the kingdom to people—or close it.’”
Owen frowned, setting his glass down. “Close it? That sounds harsh.”
“It’s not about being a gatekeeper,” Calvin said, his voice softening. “It’s about responsibility. Jesus goes on: ‘Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.’ The words bind—deō—and loose—lyō—were rabbinic terms. They meant making decisions, like saying what’s allowed or forbidden under God’s law. For the church, it’s about guiding people—calling out sin, forgiving it, teaching truth. It’s justice and mercy, holding both together.”
Owen’s eyes flickered with recognition. “Like what we do at the station. You train us to make split-second calls—save a life, protect the team. It’s heavy, knowing your choice matters.”
“Exactly,” Calvin said, leaning back. “That’s what the keys are. A weight. You’re entrusted to act in line with God’s will. And it’s not just Peter. We’re all priests, Owen—1 Peter 2:9 says so. We carry the gospel, open doors for others to know Jesus. But it’s gotta be His way, not ours.”
The waitress dropped off their burgers, but Owen barely noticed, his mind turning. “Okay, but then Jesus says some of them won’t die till they ‘see the kingdom come with power.’ That’s in Matthew 16:28, right? And Mark and Luke. What’s that about?”
Calvin took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. “That’s the part that blew my mind. The Greek word for ‘see’ is horaō—it’s not just looking, it’s perceiving, understanding. And ‘power’ is dynamis—miraculous strength, like the Spirit’s work. Jesus is saying some disciples will witness His kingdom breaking in, right then. And they did—six days later, Peter, James, and John see Him transfigured, shining like the sun, talking with Moses and Elijah. It’s a glimpse of His glory, His reign. Then Pentecost comes, and the Spirit falls like fire. The kingdom’s not just future—it’s now, Owen.”
Owen’s burger sat untouched. “So… Jesus is king now? Not just waiting to come back?”
Calvin nodded, his voice earnest. “He’s reigning now. His death, resurrection, ascension—it’s all dynamis, power that changes everything. The church is His body, carrying that power to heal, save, transform. But it’s not easy. Jesus said, ‘Take up your cross’ right after this. Following Him means sacrifice, living like He did.”
The diner noise faded for Owen. He thought of the drills that morning—Calvin pulling him from a simulated blaze, steady under pressure. He thought of his own doubts, the way he froze sometimes, afraid to fail. “Calvin… how do you do it? You’re always so sure, so calm. Like you’ve got that dynamis yourself.”
Calvin’s face softened, but there was a flicker of pain. “I’m not always sure. Last year, we lost a kid in a house fire. I carried that weight for months, wondering if I could’ve done more. But Jesus… He’s the one who holds the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:18. He showed me I’m not the savior—He is. That’s why I want to be like Him, Owen. Not just to carry the keys, but to live with His heart—His justice, His mercy, His courage. It’s the only way to make sense of this life.”
Owen’s throat tightened. He saw it now—not just words on a page, but a call. The keys weren’t a fairy tale; they were a mission, a trust. He thought of the people he’d saved, the ones he couldn’t. Jesus was offering something bigger—a kingdom that didn’t falter, a power that didn’t fail. “I want that,” he said quietly. “To live like Him. To carry that weight and not break.”
Calvin smiled, clapping Owen’s shoulder. “Then start here. See Him—horaō. Know He’s king. Let His Spirit shape you. The keys are yours too, if you’re willing to follow.”
The diner buzzed on, but for Owen, the world shifted. The weight of the keys felt real, not crushing but grounding. He wanted to be like Jesus—not for glory, but to open doors, to bind and loose with grace, to see the kingdom’s power in every choice. As they paid the check, he felt a spark of dynamis within, a quiet resolve to live for the King who trusted him with His reign.
Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospel of John and see how the religious leaders lacked situational awareness and why it’s important for us as disciple makers to train others in this essential skill.
Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” “Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”
My Thoughts
If someone just told me “You will die in your sins,” I think I’d pay attention to that statement. I would either repent or at the very least, get angry that someone is telling me I’m going to hell. Ultimately that’s what Jesus is saying here. You will spend all eternity in complete and utter torment separated from God. But it seems like it went right over the religious leader’s heads. I mean, did they just hear what Jesus said? “YOU WILL DIE IN YOUR SINS!”
Their response was to try to figure out what Jesus was saying. “Will He kill Himself?” Or trying to figure out “who” He was. That’s getting a little closer. It was probably more like, “Who do you think you are?” But they are still poking around in the dark and missing the real issue because Jesus has to tell them twice, “You will die in your sins.”
There could be several reasons why these leaders lack situational awareness. They could be so blinded by their pride that they wouldn’t even consider their own shortcomings. They could be so focused on peripheral insignificant doctrines that they missed the forest for the trees. Or the enemy could have their ears so jammed up they only hear what he wants them to hear. The point is they apparently didn’t hear what Jesus was saying.
But it is the same today. In fact people avoid talking about sin altogether because it’s “offensive.” But if we don’t talk about sin we never establish the need for forgiveness and therefore there is no need for a Savior. We have ripped out the very motivation for turning to God. This is why I say we must share the bad news when sharing the good news. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense, Christianity degenerates into a good luck charm. No, we need to hear Jesus’ words about our sin and then repent. When we share the gospel we need to tell people about their sin so they can turn to the only One who can rescue them from the same fate as the religious leaders of His day.
My Story
The tart aroma of strawberry bubblegum wafted all the way to the back of the patrol. I quietly hustled along the single file of Ranger students snaking their way up the mountain. My goal: Find the chewing offender and school him. The smell could not only give away our position but it was filling the nostrils of everyone in the patrol. They couldn’t have smelled a skunk let alone an enemy campfire or diesel exhaust coming from the nearby objective. This one Ranger’s odiferous candy was a total lack of situational awareness.
In the Army it was important to teach soldiers the art of situational awareness. It is the skill of knowing what is happening around you and in you so you can respond appropriately. You can see how this skill would be helpful and even essential in a combat situation. But I’ve found it to be just as important in everyday life. Everything from recognizing the backup lights on a car in a parking lot, to seeing my wife needs help with bringing the groceries into the house, to someone noticing I’m struggling to get through a door with my walker and offering to help.
But it’s also extremely helpful spiritually as well. I’m having a bad day and notice someone is having a worse one and offer an encouraging word. I get frustrated with some physical challenges and remind myself some people are struggling with disastrous things. And yes, I sin and realize I need to quickly repent and thank God for the forgiveness that comes through His Son’s work on the cross.
As disciple makers it’s important to teach and train people in situational awareness just as much as it is to train soldiers in the same. Jesus helped His disciples size up the world around them. He commanded them to be alert for both the good and bad. He admonished them to keep their eyes open for ways to serve and avoid sin. Situational awareness is a soft skill but an essential skill and we need to practice and train it into disciples of Jesus.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;
What circumstances or situations have caught you off guard lately?
What “blind spots” do the people you are discipling have and how can you address them?
Do a Bible study on what Jesus says about “being alert.”
Situational awareness is not a natural skill for those who live in a highly protective and safe society. For a disciple of Jesus to think it’s the same spiritually is extremely naive. Our enemy prowles about like a roaring lion seeking some to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) We are charged with loving and serving those around us. We must train ourselves and others to be alert in all circumstances.
Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan y veremos cómo los líderes religiosos carecían de conciencia situacional y por qué es importante que, como hacedores de discípulos, capacitemos a otros en esta habilidad esencial.
Comencemos.
Juan 8:21-26
Les dijo de nuevo: «Me voy, y me buscarán, pero morirán en sus pecados. Adonde yo voy, ustedes no pueden venir». Entonces los judíos comenzaron a preguntar: «¿Acaso se suicidará, ya que dice: “Adonde yo voy, ustedes no pueden venir”?». Entonces les respondió: «Ustedes son de abajo; yo soy de arriba. Ustedes son de este mundo; yo no soy de este mundo. Por eso les dije que morirían en sus pecados. Porque si no creen que yo soy, morirán en sus pecados». «¿Quiénes son ustedes?», le preguntaron. «Justo lo que les he estado diciendo desde el principio», respondió Jesús. «Tengo mucho que decir de ustedes y mucho que juzgar. Pero el que me envió es veraz, y lo que le he oído, se lo digo al mundo».
Mis Pensamientos
Si alguien me dijera: “Morirás en tus pecados”, creo que le prestaría atención. Me arrepentiría o, como mínimo, me enojaría porque alguien me dice que voy al infierno. En definitiva, eso es lo que Jesús dice aquí. Pasarás la eternidad en un tormento absoluto, separado de Dios. Pero parece que al líder religioso no le importó. Es decir, ¿acababan de oír lo que Jesús dijo? “¡Morirás en tus pecados!”.
Su respuesta fue intentar descifrar lo que Jesús decía. “¿Se suicidará?”. O intentar averiguar “quién” era. Eso se acerca un poco más. Probablemente era más bien: “¿Quién te crees que eres?”. Pero siguen hurgando en la oscuridad y pasan por alto el verdadero problema porque Jesús tiene que repetirles: “Morirás en tus pecados”.
Podría haber varias razones por las que estos líderes carecen de conciencia de la situación. Podrían estar tan cegados por su orgullo que ni siquiera considerarían sus propios defectos. Podrían estar tan concentrados en doctrinas insignificantes y periféricas que los árboles les impidieron ver el bosque. O el enemigo podría tener los oídos tan tapados que solo oye lo que él quiere que oigan. El punto es que aparentemente no oyeron lo que Jesús decía.
Pero hoy en día ocurre lo mismo. De hecho, la gente evita hablar del pecado por completo porque es “ofensivo”. Pero si no hablamos del pecado, nunca establecemos la necesidad del perdón y, por lo tanto, no hay necesidad de un Salvador. Hemos arrancado la motivación misma para recurrir a Dios. Por eso digo que debemos compartir las malas noticias al compartir las buenas. De lo contrario, no tiene sentido; el cristianismo se convierte en un amuleto de buena suerte. No, necesitamos escuchar las palabras de Jesús sobre nuestro pecado y luego arrepentirnos. Cuando compartimos el evangelio, necesitamos hablarles a las personas sobre su pecado para que puedan recurrir al Único que puede rescatarlas del mismo destino que los líderes religiosos de su época.
Mi Historia
El aroma ácido del chicle de fresa flotaba hasta la retaguardia de la patrulla. Me apresuré en silencio junto a la fila india de estudiantes Rangers que serpenteaban montaña arriba. Mi objetivo: encontrar al infractor masticador y darle una lección. El olor no solo podía delatar nuestra posición, sino que llenaba las narices de todos en la patrulla. No podían haber olido ni una mofeta, y mucho menos una fogata enemiga ni el escape de un diésel proveniente del objetivo cercano. El oloroso caramelo de este Ranger era una completa falta de conciencia situacional.
En el Ejército era importante enseñar a los soldados el arte de la conciencia situacional. Es la habilidad de saber qué sucede a tu alrededor y dentro de ti para poder responder adecuadamente. Es comprensible que esta habilidad sea útil e incluso esencial en una situación de combate. Pero he descubierto que es igual de importante en la vida cotidiana. Todo, desde reconocer las luces de reversa de un auto en un estacionamiento, hasta ver que mi esposa necesita ayuda para llevar la compra a casa, hasta que alguien se da cuenta de que me cuesta pasar por una puerta con mi andador y se ofrece a ayudar.
Pero también es extremadamente útil espiritualmente. Estoy teniendo un mal día y veo que alguien lo está pasando peor y le doy una palabra de aliento. Me frustro con algunos desafíos físicos y recuerdo que algunas personas están lidiando con situaciones desastrosas. Y sí, peco y me doy cuenta de que necesito arrepentirme rápidamente y agradecer a Dios por el perdón que viene a través de la obra de su Hijo en la cruz.
Como hacedores de discípulos, es importante enseñar y capacitar a las personas en la conciencia situacional tanto como lo es entrenar a los soldados en la misma. Jesús ayudó a sus discípulos a evaluar el mundo que los rodeaba. Les ordenó estar atentos tanto a lo bueno como a lo malo. Les amonestó a mantener los ojos abiertos para encontrar maneras de servir y evitar el pecado. La conciencia de la situación es una habilidad blanda, pero una habilidad esencial y debemos practicarla y entrenarla para ser discípulos de Jesús.
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:
¿Qué circunstancias o situaciones te han tomado por sorpresa últimamente?
¿Qué puntos ciegos tienen las personas a las que discipulas y cómo puedes abordarlos?
Haz un estudio bíblico sobre lo que Jesús dice sobre estar alerta.
La conciencia situacional no es una habilidad natural para quienes viven en una sociedad altamente protectora y segura. Para un discípulo de Jesús, pensar que es lo mismo espiritualmente es extremadamente ingenuo. Nuestro enemigo ronda como león rugiente buscando a quién devorar. (1 Pedro 5:8) Estamos obsesionados con amar y servir a quienes nos rodean. Debemos entrenarnos a nosotros mismos y a los demás para estar alerta en toda circunstancia.
Escritura Orgánica – Sin Inteligencia Artificial ni Edulcorantes Añadidos
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.” Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me. Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am One who testifies about Myself, and the Father, who sent Me, also testifies about Me.” “Where is Your Father?” they asked Him. “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well.” He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.
My Thoughts
“Qualis pater, talis filius” is from an old Latin proverb, “as the father, so the son.” In contemporary words, “Like Father, Like Son.” Jesus was exactly like His Father. The problem is that the religious leaders of the day neither recognized Jesus nor His Father. They had a huge case of “Mistaken Identity.”
It’s one thing to make a mistake about someone else’s identity but it’s an entirely another thing to be mistaken about your own. Jesus was sure of both His and His Father’s identity. He knew who He was and He knew who the Father was. I believe this is one of the foundational aspects of mental health. It is also foundational for having the confidence to weather the storms of life.
In this particular instance Jesus is being accosted by leaders who were considered to be experts on “knowing God.” And yet they didn’t have a clue. Their faulty concept of the identity of God directly impacted the understanding of their own identity. They saw themselves as privileged pious men. God saw them as hypocrites. They saw themselves as righteous judges. God saw them as uncompassionate murderers. They saw themselves as educated men. God saw them as fools. And the list of incongruencies goes on.
How do people land so far from the mark on their own personal identities? When one knows not from the well they came from, they are doomed to every kind of concept they can dream up. They did not know the Source and therefore they did not know themselves. That is one of the core reasons for knowing God. He is the beginning and the end of everything we were meant to be. One of Jesus’ primary missions was to live an example that clarified this simple truth for us. We are made in the image of God and truly knowing Him and being known by Him defines our identity and purpose. Stray from the Source and the only option is confusion and self-deception. If we pursue knowing Him and His Father day by day, we will have clarity, direction, peace, and hope. In a world that has lost its mind, doesn’t this sound like the antidote to the madness?
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. (Colossians 1:9-12)
My Story
I grew up thinking “if I do such and such, I’ll be somebody.” What I had to embrace is that I was already “somebody” in the eyes of God and that my “doing” would spring out of that truth. Don’t get me wrong, that didn’t happen overnight and truth be told, I’m still working on it. It’s taken years of reading the Bible, hearing others talk about Him and seeing them walk with Him, and God Himself stripping away the layers of faulty thinking like peeling back the layers of an onion. It’s been a journey.
But the first step in the right direction brought so much relief and clarity to life. It started when I released control of my life and let Jesus have the final say. When I humbled myself before Him and confessed my sin and believed He had a better plan for my life. Then, the better I got to know Him, the better I knew myself.
If you’re just beginning to try to find your way to God, stop reading and start doing what I’ve written about above with every fiber of your being. But my blog is primarily aimed at disciple-makers so let me exhort those of you helping others. Our primary effort isn’t trying to recruit people to a church or ministry. We don’t focus on getting people on board with a certain program or strategy. It’s not even to make people into good boys and girls. Our job as disciple-makers is to help people get to know God through Jesus and become His disciples.
“A disciple is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” (Jesus in Luke 6:40)
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Answer these questions;
When Jesus commanded us to make disciples, was it to make disciples of us or Him?
How are you doing at helping people become more like Jesus?
Make a plan to teach those you are discipling to make disciples of Jesus, not themselves.
It seems like the whole world is having an identity crisis. But this isn’t really anything new. We have lost our way since the Garden of Eden. The good news is that Jesus not only came to save us from our sins but also to show us what our identity and purpose are.
Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan y veremos lo que Jesús dice sobre su identidad y propósito en el Padre.
Comencemos.
Juan 8:12-20
Jesús volvió a hablar a la gente y dijo: «Yo soy la luz del mundo. El que me sigue no andará en tinieblas, sino que tendrá la luz de la vida». Los fariseos le dijeron: «Tú das testimonio de ti mismo; tu testimonio no es válido». Jesús respondió: «Aunque yo dé testimonio de mí mismo, mi testimonio es válido, porque sé de dónde vengo y adónde voy. Pero ustedes no saben de dónde vengo ni adónde voy. Ustedes juzgan según la carne; yo no juzgo a nadie. Pero incluso si juzgo, mi juicio es verdadero, porque no estoy solo; estoy con el Padre que me envió. Incluso en su propia Ley está escrito que el testimonio de dos hombres es válido. Yo soy el que da testimonio de mí mismo, y el Padre que me envió también da testimonio de mí». «¿Dónde está tu Padre?», le preguntaron. «No me conocen a mí ni a mi Padre», respondió Jesús. «Si me conocieran a mí, también conocerían a mi Padre». Habló estas palabras mientras enseñaba en el templo, junto al lugar de las ofrendas. Sin embargo, nadie lo apresó, porque aún no había llegado su hora.
Mis Pensamientos
“Qualis pater, talis filius” proviene de un antiguo proverbio latino: “Como el padre, así el hijo”. En palabras contemporáneas, “De tal palo, tal astilla”. Jesús era exactamente igual a su Padre. El problema es que los líderes religiosos de la época no reconocían ni a Jesús ni a su Padre. Sufrían un grave caso de “identidad equivocada”.
Una cosa es equivocarse sobre la identidad de otra persona, pero otra muy distinta es equivocarse sobre la propia. Jesús estaba seguro de su identidad y de la de su Padre. Sabía quién era Él y quién era el Padre. Creo que este es uno de los aspectos fundamentales de la salud mental. También es fundamental para tener la confianza necesaria para afrontar las tormentas de la vida.
En este caso particular, Jesús es abordado por líderes que se consideraban expertos en “conocer a Dios”. Y, sin embargo, no tenían ni idea. Su concepto erróneo de la identidad de Dios afectó directamente la comprensión de su propia identidad. Se consideraban hombres piadosos y privilegiados. Dios los vio como hipócritas. Se veían a sí mismos como jueces justos. Dios los vio como asesinos despiadados. Se veían a sí mismos como hombres cultos. Dios los vio como necios. Y la lista de incongruencias continúa.
¿Cómo es posible que la gente se desvíe tanto de su identidad personal? Cuando uno desconoce su origen, está condenado a cualquier concepto que se le ocurra. Desconocía la Fuente y, por lo tanto, no se conocía a sí mismo. Esa es una de las razones fundamentales para conocer a Dios. Él es el principio y el fin de todo lo que debemos ser. Una de las misiones principales de Jesús fue dar un ejemplo que nos aclarara esta simple verdad. Estamos hechos a imagen de Dios, y conocerlo verdaderamente y ser conocidos por Él define nuestra identidad y propósito. Al alejarse de la Fuente, la única opción es la confusión y el autoengaño. Si buscamos conocerlo a Él y a su Padre día a día, tendremos claridad, dirección, paz y esperanza. En un mundo que ha perdido la razón, ¿no suena esto como el antídoto contra la locura?
Por esta razón, también desde el día que lo supimos, no hemos cesado de orar por ustedes y de pedirles que sean llenos del conocimiento de su voluntad en toda sabiduría y entendimiento espiritual, para que vivan como es digno del Señor, agradándole en todo, dando fruto en toda buena obra y creciendo en el conocimiento de Dios; fortalecidos con todo poder, conforme a su gloriosa potencia, para alcanzar toda constancia y paciencia; dando gracias con gozo al Padre, que nos ha hecho aptos para participar de la herencia de los santos en la luz. (Colosenses 1:9-12)
Mi Historia
Crecí pensando: “Si hago esto y aquello, seré alguien”. Lo que tuve que aceptar es que ya era “alguien” a los ojos de Dios y que mi “hacer” surgiría de esa verdad. No me malinterpreten, eso no sucedió de la noche a la mañana y, a decir verdad, todavía estoy trabajando en ello. Me ha llevado años leer la Biblia, escuchar a otros hablar de Él y verlos caminar con Él, y a Dios mismo despojándome de las capas de pensamiento erróneo como si se pelaran las capas de una cebolla. Ha sido un viaje.
Pero el primer paso en la dirección correcta trajo mucho alivio y claridad a mi vida. Comenzó cuando solté el control de mi vida y dejé que Jesús tuviera la última palabra. Cuando me humillé ante Él, confesé mi pecado y creí que Él tenía un plan mejor para mi vida. Entonces, cuanto mejor lo conocía, mejor me conocía a mí mismo.
Si apenas estás empezando a intentar encontrar tu camino hacia Dios, deja de leer y empieza a hacer lo que he escrito arriba con cada fibra de tu ser. Pero mi blog está dirigido principalmente a quienes hacen discípulos, así que permítanme exhortar a quienes ayudan a otros. Nuestro principal esfuerzo no es reclutar personas para una iglesia o ministerio. No nos centramos en que se unan a un programa o estrategia en particular. Ni siquiera se trata de convertir a las personas en buenos chicos y chicas. Nuestra labor como hacedores de discípulos es ayudar a las personas a conocer a Dios a través de Jesús y convertirse en sus discípulos.
«El discípulo no es superior a su maestro; pero todo el que haya sido plenamente capacitado, será como su maestro» (Jesús en Lucas 6:40).
Nuestro Plan de Acción
Ahora es momento de aplicar. Responde estas preguntas:
Cuando Jesús nos mandó hacer discípulos, ¿fue para hacer discípulos de nosotros o de Él?
¿Cómo te va ayudando a las personas a ser más como Jesús?
Planifica enseñar a quienes estás discipulando a hacer discípulos de Jesús, no de sí mismos.
Parece que el mundo entero está atravesando una crisis de identidad. Pero esto no es nada nuevo. Hemos perdido el rumbo desde el Jardín del Edén. La buena noticia es que Jesús no solo vino a salvarnos de nuestros pecados, sino también a mostrarnos cuál es nuestra identidad y propósito.
Escritura orgánica: sin inteligencia artificial ni edulcorantes añadidos.
Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com
ToBeLikeJesus 