Scripture: Matthew 13:44-52
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. 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. 47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which 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 vessels but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. 51 "Have you understood all this?" They said to him, "Yes." 52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Meditation: What do you treasure the most and how secure is
that treasure? In a
peasant
community the best safe was often the earth. The man in the parable
"went
in his joy" to sell everything. Why? Because he found a treasure worth
possessing above all else he had. He did not, however, have enough to
buy
the treasure. Fortunately, he only needed enough to buy the field. In a
similar fashion, God offers his kingdom as incomparable treasure at a
price
we can afford! We can't pay the full price for the life which God gives
us; but when we exchange our life for the life which God offers, we
receive
a treasure beyond compare.
What can a story of a dragnet and a great catch of fish tell us about God's kingdom? The two most common ways of fishing in Jesus' time was with a casting-net (or hand-net) which was thrown from the shore and the drag-net or trawl which was let down or cast into the waters from a boat. As the boat moved through the waters the drag-net was drawn into the shape of a great cone which indiscriminately took in all kinds of fish and flotsam and jetsam swept in its path. It usually took several men to haul such a net to shore. What is Jesus' point here? Just as a drag-net catches every kind of fish in the sea, so the church acts as God's instrument for gathering in all who will come. Just as the drag-net does not or cannot discriminate, so the church does not discriminate between the good and the bad, the useless and the useful. God's kingdom is open to all who will accept and believe. But there will come a time of separation, at the close of the age, when the angels will send the good and the bad to their respective destinations. Our duty is to gather in all who will come. God, in the end, will give the good and the bad the reward they deserve. God offers the treasure of his kingdom to all who believe. Do you hunger for God and his kingdom?
"Lord Jesus, reveal to me the true riches of your kingdom. Help me to set my heart on you alone as the treasure beyond compare with any other. Free my heart of any inordinate desires or attachment to other things that I may freely give to you all that I have in joy and gratitude for all that you have given to me. May I always find joy and delight in your presence."
Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130
57 The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep thy words.
72 The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and
silver pieces.
76 Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to thy
promise
to thy servant.
77 Let thy mercy come to me, that I may live; for thy law is my
delight.
127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts; I hate every false
way.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding
to the simple.