Red Letter Bible Study--Matthew 13:44-52 (The Parables of the hidden treasure, the pearl merchant, and the fishing net)

 Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus is once again giving the crowd a glimpse into the kingdom of heaven using allegory.  He starts with comparing the kingdom of heaven to a treasure hidden in a field.  A man finds it, and joyfully  sells everything he has to buy the field.  Then He compares the kingdom of heaven to a man searching for fine pearls.  He finds one pearl of great value, and joyfully sells everything he has to buy it.  Lastly, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea by fishermen.  When they drag it back, they sort through the fish and separate the good from the bad.  

In the first parable, the man finds a treasure and it brings him so much joy, he sells everything and comes back and buys the whole field.  This should teach us the importance of seeing the gospel as a treasure that is greater than any treasure we could accumulate for ourselves.  The second parable shows the merchant in pursuit of "fine pearlS".  Maybe this could mean wealth, fame, family, prestige, authority.  But in his search, he finds ONE pearl of great value, and sells everything he owns to buy it.  In the last parable, the net is the gospel.  The kingdom of heaven, built on the gospel of Christ Jesus,  reaches out across the whole world and seeks to draw every one.  Just like in the parable of the weeds, Jesus is confirming that there is a day of judgment for everyone.  On that day, all will be drawn in and separated according to righteousness.  The gospel teaches that none is righteous but those who belong to Christ, and we will be "sorted" according to that.  

I'm going to switch the angle a little on the first parable, based on a sermon I heard once.  (I've tried to find the sermon online, but no luck.)  The man is Jesus and YOU are the treasure!  When He found you, you brought Him so much joy, He sold everything He had to buy you back.  Self-Esteem doesn't hold much weight when we have to convince ourselves and others of our value, ie the "show up for yourself", "you are worth it", and "girl, wash your face" movement.  Building ourselves and each other up on our own merit is shifting sand.    But to be esteemed by Christ Jesus, who for the joy before Him sold everything to buy you back--that is life changing.