Matt 13:44-58 "Kingdom Parables of Value"

Good morning Calvary Chapel Lake City!

If you don’t have a Bible, please raise your hands and one of our ushers will bring you one.

If this is your first time at Calvary Chapel…I’m Pastor Marc…welcome!

Calvary Chapel is known for a few things…a relaxed environment, vibrant worship, and teaching the Bible chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse. Thanks for joining us today!

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Please turn in your Bibles to Matthew 13, we are picking up in V44. We find ourselves in a section of scripture where Jesus is changing things up. Opposition to Jesus has been mounting, both in friend and foe, and Jesus has come to a tipping point where now He begins to turn from Israel exclusively, and opens His arms to anyone who would authentically follow Him.

2000 years later it’s still the same…Jesus wants authentic relationship with you…not ritualistic relationship.

The parables in Matt 13 was a change in how Jesus communicated to the huge crowds who were gathering to Him. In this scene, Jesus is sitting on a boat (likely a Galilean fishing boat) on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and the audience is standing on the shore.

Jesus spoke in parables to conceal truth to unbelievers…those who didn’t have “ears to hear;”... to reveal truth to believers…those with spiritual sight;…and to all…to fulfill prophecy.

Parables Gk. paraballō means “to throw alongside.” Parables are a teaching tool where the teacher throws a natural or known truth (something observable and relatable in the world)…alongside a spiritual or unknown truth (something invisible…heavenly…eternal).

Often, when you hear a story it is more memorable and impactful and certainly parables have that intent. But in light of the context, we also have to remember that Jesus is teaching this crowd about the kingdom of heaven knowing that if they were not good soil, the depth in His meaning and intents would enter their ears, but would not penetrate their hearts. In V11, to His disciples, Jesus said, “...it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”

In this crowd were people who were hard hearted towards Him…unbelievers;... those with shallow hearts (quick to say “yes” to Jesus, and quicker to fall away during trials…possibly apostates; …people who professed Christ, but got distracted by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches…becoming unfruitful…carnal Christians;…and lastly there were people who professed Christ and fruit was seen in their life…good soil…true believers.

The first four parables all depicted growth in the kingdom...Seed on Soil, Wheat and Tares, the Mustard Seed, and the Parable of Leaven…parables about the reality of world and how evil in the world will corrupt the church…an honest depiction of what has happened in the church over the ages.

But, there is always a remnant, in every age, of true believers… that good soil Jesus spoke about in the first parable…those who enter the narrow gate, avoiding the wide gate and the broad road to destruction.

Last week we observed in V36, that Jesus sent the crowds away, went into the house (possibly Peter’s house in Capernaum), and privately taught the disciples the meaning of the Wheat and Tares which leads right into our teaching today…picking up in V44…a continuation of this private teaching to His disciples.

The final four parables (presented today) all deal with value (treasure, pearls, a great catch, and again treasure). Today’s sermon is titled “Kingdom Parables of Value.”

Let’s pray, and after the teaching we will have communion and our fellowship lunch.

Matt 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

The “Parable of the Hidden Treasure.”

Jesus did not give the interpretation of this parable…which has led to a legion of discussions. But, there are two main camps on what Jesus is saying.

I remember having…we’ll call it a “lively discussion” with a professor in Bible College regarding this parable. He instructed us to find the “simple truth,” to these parables.

So, I went home and studied these parables…and the Holy Spirit was just making things click in my brain. I was seeing the Parable of the Hidden Treasure in a whole new light. My mind was blown…truly I think I was getting revelation from God. So, I was excited.

I went back to class the next day ready to share. My teacher opened up discussion and my hand shot up. I shared these amazing insights...and my teacher responded, “Just stick to the simple truth.”

It was like that scene in “A Christmas Story”…you know...when Ralphie was excited about a Red Ryder BB gun, and Santa said, “You’ll shoot your eye out kid.” Just takes the wind out of your sails!

So, my professor and I were obviously in different camps, and he wouldn’t accept my view. I challenged him that you can’t be dogmatic because there is no interpretation from Jesus…one of my classmates got in my corner…it was... “a lively discussion.”

Six months or so later I was listening to and outlining Matthew 13 “Chuck Tracks”…Chuck Smith’s teaching through the whole Bible, and Chuck taught these parables with the exact interpretation and conclusion that was given to me!

My jaw dropped... I felt confirmed in my bias…I just knew I was right!!

What I didn’t know at the time was, these insights of mine actually were one of the major views of this parable held by numerous respected scholars.

But, do not forget...these are parables, not doctrinal… it’s important that we don’t divide over parables…there great scholars in both camps I am going to present today.

And, I truly believe that when we are in heaven…we are all going to stand amazed by God’s exact meaning in these teachings.

But for now, with all the finite wisdom of man trying to comprehend these teachings from an infinite God...here are the 2 major Views on this Parable.

In either view, there are a couple elements to observe…the treasure, the field, and the man. The big question is “Who’s the man?”

In View #1, and most of you have heard this view. I’ll say upfront that I don’t agree with this view, but I can appreciate some of the arguments. One of my former Bible Professors, and a great scholar, Clark Van Wick from Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship in Temecula, CA holds this view, and you can listen to a great presentation of his support for this view on his app.

In View #1, the believer is the man who found the treasure (the kingdom of heaven which many equate to Salvation in Jesus Christ)…upon discovering salvation this person sold all to obtain it.

From a natural lens…if a Jew found a treasure in a field, apparently it was legit (under Rabbinic law) to then hid it and legally purchase that land and claim the prize. Sounds a bit shady to me, but who cares about morals, because this Jew has joy…he found a treasure in someone else’s field, and because of some Rabbinic loophole, he doesn’t have to be forthright…he can just go buy the land without full disclosure…ethics don’t matter...all that really matters is joy. So, he goes and sells all he has because the treasure is more valuable then all he possesses...so, he buys that field and obtains the prize.

You may sense my sarcasm and skepticism on this view. Listen, if you believe in View #1, we can still have coffee…no need to divide. But, right now…I have the mic, so you’re going to have to bear with me a bit. Call it a test of patience and grace.

When I think about my testimony…did I sell all that I had to obtain salvation?…is that the testimony for most people? I struggle saying yes, because I didn’t sell all that I had when I discovered Christ.

I was saved in 1998 and almost immediately backslide for 2 years... and then the next 12 years I lived for pleasure and wealth while simultaneously attending and serving in church…a foot in the world and a foot in Christ. It wasn’t until 14 years after salvation...14 years after I found “the treasure” in View 1, that I truly sold all...putting to death the old man, forsaking all, and taking up my cross to follow Him.

So, at least in my testimony…View #1 does not hold true. I did not immediately, with joy, sell all that I had to obtain Christ.

When Peter followed Jesus, he met Jesus and about a year later he put down his fishing nets when Jesus called him. Peter followed Jesus, but Peter also struggled with a “act first / think later” mentality…

Not too far off from many of us. General Custer in the movie “Night at the Museum” said, “We’re Americans. We don’t plan, we do!” That’s a great line! ...That’s why so many of us relate to and appreciate Peter…there’s hope for us yet!

Peter would deny Jesus 3x and talk about going back to fishing. It wasn’t until the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that Peter was truly changed…and that was consistent for me as well.

For many Christians, when they encounter salvation in Jesus Christ, there is not a radical change immediately in their hearts where they put aside everything. For many...there is a “world or flesh detox” that first must happen…the Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer, conforming him or her into the image of Jesus.

So, as I search my heart with what I know to be true with scripture and life experience…this first view leaves me wanting.

Here are my struggles with View 1… And, let me read V44 again to get us focused, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

Problem #1: The treasure is the kingdom of heaven, but most interpretations equate the treasure to salvation or Jesus Christ. But, the parable does not say, “Salvation [specifically justification] is like a treasure hidden in a field.” V44 states “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure” and we’ve discussed the kingdom of heaven is a big concept that points to God’s kingdom, His citizens, the church age, and the future eschatological expression of the kingdom. Salvation is one part of the kingdom, but the kingdom concept is bigger than salvation.

Problem #2: Salvation is not hidden. If this parable was talking about salvation, this doesn’t make a lot of sense because Jesus Christ is the most known name throughout generations, and the Bible is the best selling book. The Holy Spirit is with every single person drawing them to Jesus…to salvation. Salvation is not hidden.

And, when you find salvation, you are not supposed to hid it. Your supposed to let you light shine…the preach the gospel. Why find salvation and then go and hide it again?

Problem #3 Salvation is not bought. Parables compare natural truths to spiritual truths. And, the method of obtaining this treasure is not theologically sound…salvation is not purchased by us.

Eph 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Gifts are given freely…the gift of salvation to the believer is freely obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.

And even if you could purchase salvation, what earthly thing or personal merit do you have to offer in exchange for eternity? Salvation is not of works.

Isa 64:6 “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. 7 And there is no one who calls on Your name...”

Problem #4 The Field is the World. V38 states “The field is the world.” Jesus gave us that interpretation…why depart from it?

In View #1 the implication is salvation is hidden in the world, so the man found salvation, and then hid it in the world, and then bought the world. What?!? ...Last I checked, I never purchased the world when I was saved.

View #1 has all kinds of issues. So, View #2. If the believer is not the man, and salvation is not the treasure, then what is this parable saying?

Let me ask you…who truly sold all that He had to purchase a treasure? ...

Jesus Christ....in His incarnation, He left His heavenly abode and came into His creation. He gave His very life and by His blood He redeemed mankind...He “sold” all (so to speak).

So, you know what that makes you in God’s eyes? Treasure. Jesus is the man, and you are the treasure in this parable.

And, that fits theologically. It’s not what we do to earn salvation…it’s what Jesus did.

Now, there are some very interesting and plausible scholarly thoughts that the treasure hidden in the field…more specifically is the Nation of Israel, and the pearl in the next parable refers to the Gentiles. And, I see a lot of merit in these thoughts.

Numerous times in the OT, Israel is referred to as a “special [or peculiar] treasure.” Gentiles are not called this in the NT.

Deut 7:6 (and repeated in Deut 14:2) both state “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”

Ps 135:4 states “For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.” This verse also speaks of Israel.

Exo 19:5…God again calls Israel a treasure, but also notice who owns the world (the field) in this verse... Exo 19:5 “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.”

The field is the world…and the treasure is hidden in the field. What nation has been hidden throughout the world?…dispersed in other nations? Israel. Egypt during the time of the Patriarchs. The wilderness wanderings. In 722 B.C., the Northern Tribes of Israel were conquered and deported by Assyria; In 586 B.C., the Southern Tribes of Judah were conquered and deported by Babylon; and very significant...70 A.D. Israel was destroyed by Rome and the Jews were dispersed into all the nations.

I have a map of the 1st and 2nd Century Jewish Disaspora (or scattering…dispersion). The Romans dispersed the Jews throughout present day Europe, Africa, and the Middle East because of Jewish rebellion.

In 132 A.D., after another Jewish revolt, Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed the region to “Syria-Palaestina” to punish the Jewish people and to minimize Jewish identification to the land.

For about 1800 years, Israel did not have a country…they were hid in the world. And, no nation has maintained national identity without a country for that long besides Israel. Miraculously, in 1948, Israel once again became a nation, yet still they are scattered throughout the world.

Israel is the treasure, hidden in the field, and as Exo 19:5 stated, “...the earth is Mine [the Lords]”…Jesus purchased the field.

On the Cross…Jesus purchased (or redeemed the field/the world) “…for God so loved the world...”

Heb 12:2 encourages… “...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus redeemed the world with joy as this parable expresses.

The next parable… “The Pearl of Great Price” has the same basic truths, so if you are worried about time…don’t fret... we will get through this next parable faster.

Matt 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

The common view…the Simple Truth as my professor would say…Salvation is the pearl and the believer is the merchant who sold all that he had and bought the pearl.

Again, several difficulties with this view.

Problem #1 Salvation is not bought. We already covered this issue.

Problem #2 Salvation is not sought. Notice, the merchant is seeking beautiful pearls, but finding the kingdom of heaven or finding salvation is not as much sought by man…more-so the Holy Spirit seeks us and leads us to God.

Paul, in Rom 3:10-11, very strongly stated, “As it is written [quoting Ps 14 & Ps 53]: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.”

I was in a Bible Study with Justin Alfred, a true biblical scholar (if you listen the Greek and Hebrew pronunciations on Blue Letter Bible…that’s Justin). So, in this Bible study, Justin emphasized “...none, no not one...” is the strongest language in the original Greek and Hebrew for NO ONE! No one is righteous, understands, or seeks God.

Now, there are several verses about either Jews or Gentiles seeking God, but most often these verses encourage seeking in response to what God has already done.

So, does man seek God prior to conversion? Rom 3 suggests “no.” Or, is it that once saved, man then seeks God? This is a deep well of study…very rich…and worth some of your private devotion.

I cannot completely dismiss a connection between man’s salvation and seeking God, but I see more support to God seeking and pursuing us. Listen to these verses on God pursuing us...

2 Chr 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

In Luke 15, The Parable of the Lost Sheep…the heart of God is to seek that one lost sheep, even though there are ninety-nine more. God seeks sinners and when one sinner repents there is great joy in heaven.

Luke 19:10 states “...the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

So, this parable, like the previous parable, in my opinion, is better interpreted that Jesus is the merchant seeking beautiful pearls, and He sold all that he had for you…a beautiful pearl.

Acts 20:28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” The church was purchased by Jesus’ blood.

I mentioned that the treasure in the previous parable has interesting connections to Israel. Here are some interesting parallels to pearl representing Gentiles.

Pearls are formed out of an irritation. A piece of sand or an irritant works it’s way into a mollusk (such as an oyster), and as a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a fluid, called nacre, to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating covers the irritant until a pearl is formed.

Gentiles are like an irritant to the nation of Israel…grafted into the kingdom and covered by the righteousness of Christ. A pearl is a most appropriate description.

Also, Pearls were not valuable to Jews.

On the High Priest’s Breastplate (Exo 28:17-21) there were 12 stones representing the 12 Tribes of Israel. A pearl was not amongst those stones.

The word “pearl” is not found in the NKJV in the Old Testament at all. In other Bible translations, such as ESV or NASB, you see pearl only twice in the OT…

Est 1:6 Ahasuerus, the Gentile king used pearls as one of the many decorations in his palace…and...

Job 28:18 Pearls are mentioned in the same sentence with coral and crystal or quartz…not valuable.

In 1 Tim 2:9, Paul instructed women dress modestly at church… “not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing...” This showy dress was associated with Gentile pagan culture.

In Rev 17... Babylon…the false religious system was portrayed as a harlot ordained with pearls. And in Rev 18…Babylon…the economic monstrosity mourned that they would never be able to sell their merchandise again…of which was pearls.

Now…very interesting, in Rev 21:21…the eternal city of God… “The New Jerusalem” has 12 Gates and each gate is a solid pearl, and some scholars hypothesize (we cannot say for sure), but some think these “pearly gates” are a reminder of the pearl of great price, the Gentiles of the world, which the Saviour sold all He had to obtain.

Matt 13:47-50 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

The Parable of the Dragnet. Not the 1950’s and 60’s LAPD TV drama…detective Joe Friday…just wanted to establish that first.

What’s nice about this parable is Jesus provides interpretation right after teaching the parable. V48 is the Parable... VSS 49-50 are the interpretation. In the last couple weeks, I stated only 2 of the parables in this chapter had interpretations (the Parable of the Sower and the Wheat and Tares), but this parable, in fact, has an interpretation as well.

The natural truth, a fishing dragnet, was very relatable to Jesus’ disciples who either directly worked in the fishing trade, or lived by the sea and observed men fishing with a dragnet.

A dragnet is a large fishing net used to catch fish in masses. I have a slide depicted several methods of net fishing. As I researched this…I was reminded of times my family went to the beach in the Philippines and we sometimes saw Filipinos using a dragnet for fishing. I wish I would have made that connection when we were there…those types of connections bring the Bible to life.

When a dragnet is cast, you cannot predict what will be caught…some fish will be desirable, and others are throw backs, but the catch must be sorted out.

Jesus uses this natural truth to depict the kingdom of heaven at the “end of the age.” This parable should remind you of the Parable of the Wheat and Tares…very similar interpretation.

In the kingdom of heaven…the field/the world…comparable to “the sea” in this parable are “some of every kind.” There are wicked people and just people (good and bad fish).

Last week we spent some time looking at the “end of the age”…at the end of the 7 year tribulation, and after Jesus returns...how He will use His angels to sort out His kingdom citizens...believers and unbelievers.

There seems to be a parallel between these good and bad fish and wheat and tares in Matt 13 to the Sheep/Goat Judgement in Matt 25 and the events of Rev 14:14-20 which picture “The Judgment of the Nations.”

I covered all this in detail in last week’s sermon titled “Kingdom Parables of Growth” (which is on our website).

The “furnace of fire” where there is “wailing and gnashing of teeth” is not the eternal lake of fire, but hades…still torment, and at the end of the Millennial kingdom/the 1000 year reign of Christ…in Rev 20, those in Hades will be cast into the lake of fire…experiencing the second death…the first death is physical death, the second death is eternal death.

Rev 20:13-15 “The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life [for believers] was cast into the lake of fire.”

Hell is a real place where no one wants to spend eternity. Jesus and scripture devote a lot of time describing and warning about hell which as Matt 25:41 stated is “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

God created man to be eternal, but in Adam... in sin, we fell. To redeem mankind, because “...God so loved the world... He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish [the second death…hell], but have everlasting life.”

If a person denies “...being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” Rom 3:24 …If they deny “the gift of God...eternal life in Christ Jesus.” Rom 6:23, then what is God, as a just judge, to do? If there was no hell, there would be no justice.

God extended grace to mankind in the form of Jesus Christ…God extended grace by given us His word and sending His Holy Spirit to instruct and guide us to truth. As the dragnet is cast, the good fish are gathered into the vessels.

The good fish are of great value and cause great joy to the fisherman.

If you have never accepted God’s grace that He has extended to you…accept it today. Because... at some point God must also be Judge, as depicted in the Parable of the Dragnet.

Jesus concludes these parables saying...

Matt 13:51-52 “Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Apparently, the disciples believe they have a good grasp on these parables. Or, maybe feeling a bit overwhelmed and in awe, just answer in the affirmative. I seriously doubt they fully grasped all of what Jesus was saying.

Some call V52 the “Parable of the Householder,” other people do not see this as a parable at all. So, depending on your view... there are either 7 or 8 parables in Matt 13.

I see V52 as a parable because Jesus uses the same symbolic language, “…the kingdom of heaven is like...”

This final parable is also a concluding or summary statement highlighted by the word “therefore” in V52...

A scribe…Gk. grammatĕus was a professional writer, recorder and secretary. And, now that Jesus has instructed and imparted all of these truths of the kingdom upon the disciples, they have been assigned this role…this undertaking of being His scribe…to diligently and accurately record His truths, and when called upon to impart His kingdom truths to others.

He compares them to a householder…a master or head of a household “who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

What Jesus exactly means here is difficult to say because there is no interpretation.

In previous parables, we likened “treasure” to Israel and Gentiles...perhaps this is the “old” and “new.” Could Jesus again be talking about the nature of His kingdom having a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers?

Some think these “new and old things” point to the Old and New Testaments…the Old and New Covenants…Law and Grace…both in the treasure of the householder, and the disciples are being commissioned as teachers to carry the old and new truths of the kingdom to the world.

Whatever the case may be...we too have been entrusted with truths about Jesus’ kingdom…namely the gospel message…and we have been commissioned by Jesus to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...”

Carry these truths to the world this week!

We see in V53 “Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.”

Jesus finishes these parables…departs, likely from Capernaum, and heads to “his own country” V54 Nazareth. We will pick up there next week. Read ahead.

Worship Team Come.

It’s been great going through these parables these last few weeks. Great truths and insights into the kingdom of heaven…if you are here today and you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are already a kingdom citizen. If you’ve never prayed and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior…the invitation is open…He sold all that He had for you…a beautiful pearl. Accept Him today.

Let’s pray!

We are now going to partake in Communion remembering Jesus and how He sold all for us.

Communion Reading: 1 Cor 11:23-29

“...the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”

Please distribute the elements...

As the communion elements are being distributed, please take a moment to praise Jesus…remembering His broken body and shed blood for you on the cross. And, examine yourself…take communion in a worthy manner. Is there anything you need to confess privately to God and ask forgiveness for?

Once you have prayed, go ahead and take the communion elements, when you are ready. Our worship team will play one worship song, and then close us in prayer.

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If you are not saved, if you have never confessed Jesus is your Lord, you have a couple options, either let the cup pass and do not partake in communion -or- the better option... accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior today. Pray to God and tell Him you believe in Jesus and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and then take communion. If you pray that prayer today, if today is your day of salvation, tell us that great news afterwards.