From the Gospel for today:
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Parables of the Kingdom
A. Two parables about Christ (verses 44-46):
1. THE TREASURE TROVE is Christ in the Bible 44
You see him on the beaches and in farmers' fields: the "metal-detector man".
a. He finds Treasure in the Field.
The Bible is a Treasure Field. Jesus said "You search the Scriptures because
you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on
my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life" (John 5:39-40). The
Bible is not a walled garden (Song 4:12) but an open field accessible to all.
"Write the vision: make it plain upon tablets, so that he may run who reads
it" (Habakkuk 2:2).
b. He buys the Title to the Field.
In joy he sells his all to buy that field. The cost of a Bible in Communist
lands can be as much as a year's wages for a working man. What value do you
place upon your copy of the Holy Bible? In the 1st century, hand-copied
manuscripts of the books of the Bible were equally expensive. Compare the
Ethiopian Chancellor who was returning from Jerusalem reading his precious
Isaiah scroll (Acts 8:27 ff). He had already gotten to chapter 53 when Philip
joined him and explained the Gospel to him. He willingly bought the longest
and most expensive scroll available -- the Isaiah scroll. It brought him
eternal life in Christ.
2. THE PRECIOUS PEARL is the Gospel in the World 45-46
You see him at Boot Sales and at the Bric-a-brac stall in the Jumble Sales:
the professional bargain-hunter. "It is naught, it is naught, saith the
buyer: but when he has gone his way, then he boasteth" (Proverbs 20:14).
a. He takes a Saving Interest in Christ.
He is seeking fine pearls. Many so-called "pearls" on offer are just paste.
Only the Gospel of Christ is the real Pearl without Price. Think of the cost
to the oyster. Its pain caused the pearl to be produced; its death caused the
pearl to be revealed. The Gospel Pearl cost Christ his suffering and his
death.
b. He makes a Sacrificial Investment in Christ.
He sold his all to buy it. Paul wrote "Whatever gains I had, these I have come
to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as
loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord"
(Philippians 3:7-8). Jesus said "What will it profit them if they gain the
whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for
their life?" (Matthew 16:26; Luke 9:25). If it's "Your money or your life",
people always choose the Life option.
B. Two parables about the Church (verses 47-50):
1. THE FILLING FISHNET is the Church in the World 47-50
The Fishers of Men are Church members. Jesus said: "Follow me, and I will make
you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17).
a. Henceforth we will Catch Men.
Churchmen bring people to Christ the Saviour. This is a task for us Saints;
not for the angels.
b. Hereafter He will Judge Men.
There is some sorting to do. The visible church contains some bad and some
good. Angels bring men before Christ the Judge. "Come, ye blessed of my
Father/Depart from me ye cursed" (Matthew 25:34/41).
2. THE SCHOOLED SCRIBE is the Minister in the Church 51-52
The Householder is the Clerk in Holy Orders, the Minister of each local
church.
a. He is Instant In Season. (2 Timothy 4:2)
He brings out "what is new": what is in season. Fresh Goods from the Bible,
from the New Testament.
b. He is Instant Out of Season.
He brings forth "what is old": past seasons' produce from the freezer.
Fresh-Frozen goods from the Bible, from the Old Testament. He has studied long
to do this (2 Timothy 2:15).
Support your Minister in his work for the Gospel as the Steward of your
Household of Faith. Hs is a "Steward of the Mysteries of God. Moreover, it is
required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
______________________________________________________________________________
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
<ben.crick@argonet.co.uk>
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
