Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; Verse 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." Verse 33He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
Verse 44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Verse 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; Verse 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Verse 47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; Verse 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. Verse 49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous Verse 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Verse 51"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." Verse 52And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Devotion
The parables of Jesus in Matthew 13 describe the kingdom of heaven with many images—a mustard seed, yeast, a hidden treasure, a fine pearl, a net used to catch fish. So many ways to imagine the kingdom of heaven. No one image captures it all. All parables evoke a sense of amazement, surprise, and hope. We are told the kingdom of heaven is of such value you would sell everything you have to get it. And then on a bad day, after you’ve beaten yourself up for something you did or didn’t do, you are feeling worthless! Days like that happen. Guess what? You and I are not worthless, even when we feel like it. God has hidden a priceless treasure deep within us. In Luke 17:21 Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is within you.” (NRSV) Really? Really! Now that’s something to dig into.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, today we seek your hidden treasure, the fine pearl of your kingdom. We glimpse the precious treasure of the undying kingdom of love you planted in us. Amen.
Interested in digging deeper into today’s text?
Read more here.