Salvation is Here

Matthew 13:44–58 (NKJV, also appearing in Mark 6:1-6)

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.

Jesus shares several parables in this passage to explain the kingdom of heaven further.  In the first two, the emphasis is the great value of the kingdom of heaven and the joy it brings to the one who finds it.  It is like a man finding treasure in a field he is considering buying who then sells everything in order to bring the asking price.  It is like a man who found the pearl of great price and sold everything to buy it.  The kingdom of heaven is valuable. greater than anything man has known.  When an individual realizes how marvelous it is, he or she must buy in.

⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, ⁴⁸ which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, ⁵⁰ and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

⁵¹ Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?”

They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

⁵² Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

⁵³ Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.

The next set of parables relates to the reckoning that will come in the end time.  In the end, the angels will come and divide the good fish from the bad fish (the just from the wicked), and the wicked will be cast into the fire.  Therefore (as referenced in the next parable of the householder), every Christian (“scribe”) must be able to bring knowledge from the Old and New Testaments, perhaps, or at least be able (like Jesus fulfilling the Law, not destroying it) be able to take the good from the faith of Abraham and Moses, and contextualize it in the teaching of Jesus that fulfills it.  We are not to be Jews who accept Christ as the Messiah, but we must understand the truth in the teachings of Judaism that help us to see the logical conclusion of it in Christ.  This will help us to see the “big picture” of salvation history.

⁵⁴ When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? ⁵⁵ Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? ⁵⁶ And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ So they were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” ⁵⁸ Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

When Jesus showed up in His own hometown region, the people were astonished at His teaching and works, but began to whisper, because He was a product of their community, and they wondered why the son of their neighbors was teaching with such authority.  They were offended that the child they knew in the neighborhood was teaching them and expected them to believe.  Jesus’ well-known statement about the prophet not receiving honor in his own country follows, and is sadly the reason that not many miracles took place in that area.  People often allow their preconceived notions to stand in the way of their salvation and their blessings.  Jesus was and is the Son of God, but because He grew up in their village or city, He could not be allowed to tell them the truth of the gospel.  Don’t let your prejudices or your thought process get in the way of faith.  Let God speak, not matter what vessel He chooses to use.

Artwork from: http://www.alittleperspective.com/matthew-13-2016/