Article February 5, 1903 Issue

His Kingdom

JOHN F. BRAUN

One of the phrases which fell most readily from the lips of Jesus was "the kingdom of heaven," and we gain a clearer insight into His kingdom by a study of the contexts and similes which Jesus employed in this connection.

When, according to Matthew, he likened the kingdom of heaven unto "a man who sowed good seed," unto "ten virgins," unto "a net," it seemed as if he wanted to point out the fact that his subject should be part of the everyday experience of plain men and women. He further said it was like "a king," like "a treasure," like "a householder,' like "a traveler," like "leaven." Surely the import of these homely similes is, that heaven is not a far-off place, but something very close "at hand."

The Master did not compare it to the far-off planets, nor to the impalpable rainbow, nor to something unapproachably distant. He seemed continually to bring his subject close to men, to find a link by which to connect the ideal with the practical routine of work-a-day life.

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