Context No. 2926 of 4322 · Matthew

Matthew 13:44-51: in context

44“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind, 48which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49So it will be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 50and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 51Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”

Jesus gives three quick pictures of the kingdom. It is like treasure hidden in a field: a man finds it and, in his joy, sells everything he has to buy that field. It is like a merchant hunting fine pearls who finds one of great price and sells all to get it. And it is like a dragnet that gathers fish of every kind, later sorted, the good kept and the bad thrown out.

The first two parables share one point: the kingdom is worth everything, and whoever truly sees its value gladly gives up all else for it, not grudgingly but in his joy. The cost is real, but the trade is obvious to anyone who grasps what he is getting. The third parable adds a sober note. The net gathers all kinds now, but a sorting is coming at the end of the age. The kingdom is both the treasure worth selling everything to have, and the reality before which every life will one day be sorted.

Do I see the kingdom as treasure worth gladly selling everything for, or as a cost I resent, and am I ready for the sorting that comes?

Sources

Matthew 13:44: "In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Philippians 3:8: "I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus."
Matthew 13:49: "The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous."