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The Parables of Matthew
You Are Everything To God
Matthew 13:44-46
Introduction: The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like
I’d like to begin this morning by reading the
two parables we will be studying.
The kingdom of heaven is like a
treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he immediately buried it again
knowing he could never have it. He was happy just knowing that he had found it
and that one day someone else might find it who would be able to make it his
own. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he was shown the once-in-a-lifetime pearl, it took his breath away. He
admired its beauty, but decided to pass it up because there might still be a
better pearl somewhere.
You realize that I have changed the parables. I
did so because the way Jesus told them was far too forceful. I’m afraid that
His all or nothing approach may turn some of you off. The way Jesus told these
parables is far too radical. So, I’ve made it more palatable because I know how
tired we all get of being expected to live the way Jesus wants us to live.
One of the things I know about this church is
that taking what seems to be the easy way is very dangerous—for me! You
expect—and want—me to say it the way Jesus did. Well then, here it is, but
don’t say that I didn’t try to make it easier for you.
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.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went
away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46 NIV
These parables are the fifth and sixth in a
series of seven parables in Matthew 13 on the kingdom of heaven. Our approach
in studying these parables has been to identify the one point that is taught
and then seek to apply that teaching point. Because the stress is on one point
we resist the temptation to push every detail. If we pushed every detail to the
end, we would have to conclude that Jesus is telling us we can buy the kingdom.
That’s why it says, “The kingdom of heaven in like.” It keeps us from spinning
off into fanciful flights of error.
These two parables each feature a man who finds
a treasure of inestimable value. One man stumbles on it while the other
discovers it as the culminating moment in a lifetime search. Both find a
treasure. The lesson we learn is what they do after finding it.
What Jesus Wanted To Teach
Jesus tells of two individuals who discover that
which has ultimate value. The value goes beyond what is possible. It is the
absolute maximum.
The first man literally stumbles on the
treasure. The Holy Land was subjected to many invasions in its history. The
invading armies took any treasure they could. So, those who had possessions
often buried them in their fields. When it was once again safe, they would go
and retrieve the treasure. When a property owner was killed there was no one to
retrieve the treasure. Down through the years the ownership of this particular
property changed until one day a worker in the field hears an unusual sound when
his hoe or shovel strikes the container. With his curiosity aroused he moves
the dirt away and can’t believe what he sees. It is a great treasure.
The “Finders-Keepers” laws of the day gave
possession of the treasure to the owner of the field. The worker decides to
once again hide the treasure, goes and sells everything he has and then buys
the field for himself. Be careful once again not to press for meaning from
every detail—Jesus is not teaching us to deceive others to get what we want! He
teaches that there are some things worth everything we have and more.
The other man is a pearl merchant who searches
relentlessly for the one pearl that is the mother of all pearls. Pearls from
the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean were considered the best and one day he finds
the best of the best. He also goes and sells everything he has to buy this one
pearl.
The featured characters are two men who each
sell everything they have to purchase the treasure they have found. There’s not
much I would sell everything I have to obtain. How about you? This must have
been some treasure and some pearl!
Jesus’ Point
The two lead characters are used by Jesus to
teach the value of the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus wasn’t talking about buried
treasure and beautiful pearls. He was preaching about the kingdom. Jesus’
message is this:
What I am telling you represents the ultimate in
value—the fact that human beings can actually participate in the kingdom of
heaven. How will you ever top that? I’m telling you about that which represents
such inestimable worth that you would be foolish to not exchange everything you
have for such a remarkable find.
Listen to Jesus’ point: Having discovered that which represents the ultimate in value, one is
wise to pursue it at all costs.
The failure to pursue it means you are undecided
about its value. You can weigh the matter if your want. That might be wise.
But, to be so cautious that you never make up your mind means that you consider
other things to have greater value or to be more important. That is dangerous.
I don’t think I’m stretching the point.
The Example of the Rich Young Man
When Jesus met a rich young man He taught the
same truth even more directly. It really isn’t too difficult to figure out what
Jesus was trying to say to a young man who had many possessions.
Matthew 19:16-26
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing
must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is
good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to
enter life, obey the commandments.""Which ones?" the man
inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not
steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love
your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young
man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want
to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will
have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard
this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his
disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."When the
disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then
can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is
impossible, but with God all things are possible."
The young man walked away sad because he had
many possessions. He walked away from the pearl. It was enough just to have
found it. He decided not to buy the field. It was enough just to know there was
a treasure in the field. He wasn’t willing to make the sacrifices to possess
that which had ultimate value.
The exchange price for the kingdom can be very
painful. What
can hold us back?
·
Money ·
Talent ·
Intelligence ·
Beauty ·
Prestige ·
Pride
We declare our values by what we love. We are
either going to love the things God loves or the things loved by the world.
John says it this way.
Do not love the world or anything in
the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For
everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and
the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the
world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of
God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 NIV
We can love that which passes away or that which
lasts forever.
The Example of Family
Jesus clearly outlines kingdom priorities by
comparing it to family priorities.
Anyone who loves his father or mother
more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son
or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who
does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his
life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39 NIV
Jesus doesn’t mean you can’t love your family.
He says we shouldn’t love them more than God or put them before Him. Instead, be
ready to sacrifice for the kingdom by taking up the cross God has for you
knowing that if you are willing to lose your life for Jesus you will truly find
it.
I wish I could offer you some kind of half-way
compromise. I can’t. Why? Let me restate the main point of these twin parables.
The treasure is genuine, worth more than you ever dreamed. The pearl
is truly one-of-a-kind. There’s not another like it anywhere. The wise person
will give up everything to own it.
A Possible Objection
People have lobbed a possible objection against
such an extreme position. What if someone
takes you literally and goes out and sells everything?
I guess it’s possible someone could do that.
It’s never happened. I’m actually more concerned about believers who say the
King and His Kingdom come first with their words but their actions say that
actively pursuing kingdom matters is not at the top of the list and, in some
cases, it doesn’t even make the list.
But, what if somebody did go overboard, become a
little overzealous and do so? That person would actually be in pretty good
company.
In 1205 A.D. St. Francis of Assisi turned his back on every earthly
treasure. He sold his inheritance. He gave the money to the poor. He left his
father because of the call of Christ that he felt on his life. 800 years later
we recite and sing the prayer he wrote,
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” The song is nice as long as you
don’t take it too literally.
Living The Lesson In 2009
You may believe the treasure is genuine and the
pearl is real, but you’re confused about what it means to sell all. Let me
suggest a plan of application.
It is important to approach the kingdom one day
at a time. Start with this focus question: What will I exchange today for the greater treasure of
the Kingdom of God? Answering
this question on a daily basis puts you square in the center of the right path.
What will I exchange today?
·
Perhaps you will choose to exchange your pride for the
privilege of sharing with someone else about the King ·
Perhaps will choose to exchange a nice but unnecessary
purchase so the resources can be applied to a place where the Kingdom battle
is hot ·
Perhaps you will choose to exchange the freedom of your
weekends to teach and model Kingdom principles to a group of students ·
Perhaps you will exchange the privacy of your home to bring
healing to a houseguest who has been battered by the world
Where are you in all of this? Are you like the person who stumbles on a treasure and then covers it
up and leaves it there? Are you like a shopper who finds the exact item you
desire and then goes on looking because there might be something better? Whether
you have stumbled upon the good news of the Kingdom or found it as the
fulfillment of your long search, go after the treasure of the Kingdom! Make the
pearl of the Kingdom your own. Will you pursue it at all costs?
Conclusion: You Are Everything To God!
I finish today with the most amazing thought of
all: The kingdom of God is our treasure,
but for the King, the treasure is you! You are the reason Jesus came
preaching the kingdom. You are the reason Jesus died on the Cross. You are the
treasure for whom God the Father exchanged the life of His Son. You are
literally everything to God. When you realize you are the treasure for whom
Christ did all of this, you will treasure doing His will at all costs. You will
be able to sing with conviction…
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my
all.
He will be everything to you!
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