Jesus used metaphors to describe the Kingdom of God, or in Matthew’s term the Kingdom of Heaven. As he told his disciples, the kingdom of heaven is like:

• Seed planted in good soil, yielding abundant crop.
• Grain remaining after the weeds are destroyed.
• Tiny mustard seed that grows into a large plant and provides a nesting place for birds.
• Yeast that leavens the loaf.
• Treasure hidden in a field purchased at a great price.
• Very precious pearl acquired by selling all other possessions to be able to buy it.
• Good fish in a net separated from the bad ones (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-50).

And so God’s kingdom is valuable to us as the habitation of our daily life.

Howard W. Hallman is author of Living in God’s Kingdom: Here and Now, available from Amazon.