Matthew 13:44-58
This is the third set of three parables Jesus uses to illustrate the response to the kingdom and the consequences of those responses. Finding a treasure buried in the field was a common theme of stories in Jesus' day. The point was not the ethical nature of the actions of the finder, but the joy of the finding. For the joy he sells all he has. We too often talk about the sacrifices we make for the sake of discipleship. Poppycock! It is like trading bologna for steak. Like trading festering swampland for mountain vista. What we give up is so unimportant compared to what we gain that sacrifice is not the word we should use.
The parable of the pearl is a little different. While the treasure can be seen and calculated the pearl is enthralling. This investment might not make good sense financially, but it is so beautiful the merchant has to have it. The merchant is an expert who knows what he is about. But even if it is not a good investment he must have the pearl.
The third parable is like the wheat and the weeds; it is about the division to come at the end. There is no middle ground and at the end there is no opportunity for choice. The "scribe" comment may be a dig at the class of scribes, the professional teachers of Jesus' day or it could be that they only had the old treasure while the follower of the Christ has both the old and the new treasures to share. An element of the old is found in the new. Despite the teachings, the healings, the miracles, the parables and the crowds Jesus faces rejection. The people are startled but that is not the same as committed. They "stumbled over Him" and were "offended by Him" practically it means they had the reaction that is opposite to faith. They could not surrender the little things, in this case their preconceptions, in order to have the greatest thing.
"Lord help me never to hold on to the lesser things so that I miss the greater thing. AMEN"
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