Parables

 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, Mat 13:34

Jesus never told them, "Well, the Kingdom of Heaven is a new identity. When you follow me, what is true of me will be true of you, as I am in you and you are in Me. Your new life will be the result of your union with me, and when I died, you died with me. When I was buried, you were buried with me in baptism, and when I am raised up to a new life, you are raised up with me". He didn't say that, though Saint Paul did a generation later. No, he spoke instead in Parables. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like":

1. A pearl of great price or a treasure hidden in a field (value).

2. A mustard seed that grows into a large tree (exponential growth).

3. Leaven (effectiveness)

He did not directly explain the Kingdom to his hearers, for their hearts were hard, and would not be able to receive his words. When He gave a deeper understanding to the disciples, even they did not get it. His words are Spirit, and they are Life. If the soil is good, it bears fruit in bushels. But to the rest, He says, "Be ever hearing, but never perceiving . . "