Matthew
13:44-52 NIV
44 “The kingdom of heaven is
like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and
then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is
like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great
value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is
like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of
fish. 48 When it was full, the
fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good
fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at
the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the
righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing
furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these
things?” Jesus asked.
“Yes,” they replied.
52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of
the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of
a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
That!
More
parables from the mouth of Jesus. Jesus’ teaching using examples that we can
relate to in our lives.
So, what do
you treasure? If you find what you treasure the most, what do you do with it?
Do you use it up? Do you save it? Do you give it away?
Is your
treasure of this world’s goods and services? Or is your treasure something else
like family, friends, relationships and such?
Do you
treasure something outside of this world?
Jesus
begins, with one verse, talking about a man who finds his treasure. Jesus goes
on to compare that treasure with the Kingdom of Heaven.
The man
found his treasure and then hid it. Why? Because he knew what he had. And he
knew that by hiding this treasure he could go back and buy the field in which
he hid his treasure and keep that treasure for good.
But was that
really what was happening, in this case? In the case of the Kingdom of Heaven,
that this man had found, he knew what eternal value it held. So, he was willing
to give up his earthly wealth to receive a heavenly reward. The Kingdom of Heaven
is priceless, valuable, and beyond anything he could ever need or want. He
didn’t hide it to keep it away from others. No, he hid it because he knew what
he had found and wanted to protect it with all he had.
But did he
really find the treasure? It was hidden, remember? So, the man really didn’t do
anything but find something hidden. He didn’t produce the treasure. Rather he
found the treasure. And how did he find that treasure? It seems to me, that
somehow it became obvious to him, or maybe he just stumbled onto the treasure
by chance. But I don’t really think it was by chance. The treasure came from
somewhere, after all.
The gift of
the Kingdom of Heaven is valuable. This gift came from God, and cost Jesus’ His
life to give. That’s real value! When we discover what Jesus has given us,
value THAT, protect THAT, place all your hope in THAT. It’s a gift!
Jesus next fixes
His focus on a merchant searching for fine pearls. Once again Jesus shows us
the importance and the eternal value of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is one of
the most important gifts that God gives to His people. Maybe the most
important, with the exception, in my mind of Jesus Himself.
As we search
for the Kingdom of Heaven, we find it closer than we could ever imagine. And on
this day, in the life of these followers and disciples of Jesus, this is true
as well. For the Kingdom of Heaven is right before their eyes, speaking eternal
truths to them, with earthly examples. If you are totally convicted to God’s
gift of Love and Grace, THEN, respond willingly with all you have in your life,
FOR, and TO, God with a thankful heart. Give up all this earth offers, TO,
receive this free Gift from God.
As Jesus
moves into another parable, He seems to be pounding the message home, that has
been evident over the past couple of episodes of “Pointing to Jesus.” How’s
that? Once again, we see an abundance of a gift, in this case fish, but that
abundance is mixed in with some evil, here, it is some fish that are not good
for food. And guess what? There is a separation that takes place of the good
fish from the bad fish.
As the net
to catch the fish is cast, like how God reaches out to His people with the gift
of His forgiveness and grace, ALL sorts of fish are caught. But some of the
fish have been contaminated. Contaminated how? They are like those who have
chosen to refuse God’s gift of salvation and walked away. I hate to hear this
part! But, in reality, it’s part of this world, and the evil tricks of Satan.
Some people will refuse this gift of the “Kingdom of Heaven,” and God permits
that. I’m sure He hates that, but He seems to permit us to choose to turn away.
So, always,
always, continue to deliver the message of the gift of the Gospel, and pray,
pray, pray, for those who have, for now, turned away. You never know what God
may do in the life of a relative or friend, or even an enemy. God is more
powerful than you could ever imagine. But in the end, some fish will be tossed.
Lord, help us and guide us.
In the
presence of the disciples, Jesus wants to make sure they understand the parables.
The disciples very lives will become those who take the message of the “Kingdom
of Heaven,” after Jesus ascends back into heaven, TO ALL the people on this
globe.
Jesus has
again, used earthly examples of people and things, to explain spiritual truth
about the gift of the “Kingdom of Heaven.”
God loves
you and chooses you to be His, now and into eternity… in the Kingdom of Heaven.
THAT love is to be held close, honored and praised.
Lord Jesus,
as I listen to You speaking heavenly truth; build trust in me. Fulfill the hope
that I have in You that You are my only hope and trust and salvation.
You have
given me all. And I am convinced… I remember last week’s message as well and hear
Your Word spoken through Paul…
Romans 8:38-39
NIV
38 For I am convinced that neither death
nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So, what to
make of all this? As I pondered this passage over the week, I felt the tug of
Jesus on my shirt, showing me what a valuable, wonderful, precious gift of life,
with Jesus, in the Kingdom of Heaven He freely gives to me. That’s more than
anything this earth could ever provide. Nothing compares to what Jesus gives.
And that’s the THAT of this message. THAT is the love of God that was always
present. And I need to do nothing for THAT. I couldn’t do enough for THAT to
earn it.
Thanks be to
God… today… tomorrow… and forever… for THAT --- Amen
Enjoy this
YouTube Music Video that spoke to me this week… Shout to the Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRyjTL61GEA&list=RDqRyjTL61GEA&start_radio=1
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