The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew - More Parables Today

 

TEXT: Matthew 13:31-33; 44-46 – ³¹ Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, ³² which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” ³³ Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

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. 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.

We considered the Parable of the Sower and the Seed and the Wheat and the Tares. There are 8 total parables in this chapter. We will consider four more today. The parable about the Mustard Seed, The Yeast, The Treasure in the Field, and The Merchant and the Pearl.

The first parable to consider today is the Mustard Seed verses 31-32.

• ·      It goes into the ground as the smallest of seeds (verses 31-32a)
• ·      It grows out of the ground the largest of plants (verse 32b)

 The next parable is about Yeast in verse 33.

• ·      It is placed in the flour – only a small amount is needed.
• ·      It permeates every part of the dough

 These two parables are teaching that the Kingdom of God is already at work. It may appear small in the world, but it is moving and permeating throughout. Often, the Church of Christ has had to work “underground” but it is then that it springs forth in a mighty way.

The last two parables we will consider today is The Treasure in the Field and the Merchant and the Pearl. Starting with the Treasure in the Field (verse 44), we are told about:

• ·      The discovery – the man finds a precious treasure
• ·      The delight – He is overjoyed at what he finds
• ·      The decision – He sells all that he has to buy the field.

And in the Merchant and the Pearl (verses 45-46), the information given by Jesus is:

• ·      He seeks out the pearl
• ·      He buys the pearl

Both of these parables are very similar. Jesus is comparing Heaven to be like a great treasure and a beautiful Pearl.  Both are worth giving up all we hold dear to make sure we have.

Heaven is very costly and very precious. Are we willing to give up all we have to be a part of the Kingdom and to receive Heaven?