Parables of the Kingdom (2)

Scripture Reading

Opening Prayer

Intro

I want you to think of something

Sunken treasure

It’s estimated that, beneath Earth’s waters, 3 million undiscovered shipwrecks exist. And right now, all across the planet, the locations of a select few of these lost ships are actively being sought.

The Merchant Royal

Treasure hunters have been searching for years for the Merchant Royal, also known as the “Eldorado of the Sea.” This British sailing ship that went down near the Isles of Scilly during a violent storm in 1641 is believed to be loaded down with unimaginable riches. As one of the more well known shipwrecks, under-the-sea hunters have invested years into seeking out the location of this near 400-year-old wreckage. According to historians, the Merchant Royal’s treasure includes “gold, silver, and bullion estimated to be worth hundreds of millions in today’s prices.” Some believe its worth could surpass $1 billion. (Source https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-greatest-shipwrecks-still-out-there)

Billions of dollars have been spent in search of sunken treasure

Imagine that you we vacationing somewhere in the vicinity of where the treasure is supposed to be and you somehow found it.

What would you do?

Review

Book theme: Jesus is the promised Messiah-King of the OT, but he is not what the religious leaders expected.

Third discourse closes today

This is a discourse of parables

Not allegory

Three Parables today

Laid out to reflect and expand the last 3 parables

Last Week: Weeds, Mustard Seed, Leven

Mustard seed was equal with Leven

Arranged “Chiastically” or in oppositional order

This Week: Hidden Treasure, Pearl of Great Value, Net

Hidden treasure and Pearl of Great Value are equal, yet each gives nuance to the meaning

Net provides an interpretation

Closes with a final parable to the disciples only

Exposition

Matthew 13:44 ESV

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The parable of the hidden treasure

Here is a situation where a man is in a field that is not his. We don’t know if he had permission to be there or if he was hired to work the field or if he was just passing through.

Whatever he is doing, he finds a treasure

He doesn’t pick it up

Interestingly, in the Jewish system at the time, if he would have picked it up, it would legally have belonged to the owner of the field.

He instead “covered it up” and cashed in everything he could to buy the field and own the treasure for himself

Legality/morality of situation not addressed.

The next parable is similar, look at verse 45

Matthew 13:45–46 ESV

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Here is one who’s business involved buying and selling pearls.

I. Being a part of the Kingdom is of the highest value and worth the cost of discipleship

The Hidden Treasure emphasized that, because of the value, if the kingdom is shown to someone, they will believe

The pearl emphasized that knowing the cost is not a deterrent because it is truly worth it.

Applications are many:

Be willing to give up sin

Be willing to give sacrificially

Be willing to prepare

Be ready

Matthew 13:47–48 ESV

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.

Corresponds to wheat and weeds

Matthew 13:49–50 ESV

49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Interpretation

II. At the end of the age, the world will consist of true disciples and the lost.

Matthew 13:51 ESV

51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”

The disciples declare that they understand all of these parables and so Jesus gives them another parable.

Matthew 13:52 ESV

52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Because the disciples declare that they have “understood” they are one’s who “have ears to hear”

So this parable is about them

They are scribes who have been “trained for the kingdom” or in other words, a scribe who has become a disciple

A scribe is a keeper of the Scriptures

They are those who have found the hidden treasure and bout the great pearl

Yet they don’t have these treasures to just put in storage and keep for themselves

Instead they bring it out

Both the Old and the New

Can mean OT and NT but that is a simple understanding

Somewhat closer is the Old Covenant and New Covenant

So this disciple is like a “master of the house” who brings to good news.

III. As a disciple of Jesus, you have been given knowledge that must be shared.

Application:

Share with unbleivers

Share with believers

Share with self