Last week, in “Stories Jesus Told, Part 3,” Jesus used two common kitchen ingredients to help us learn that God’s kingdom starts small in us, but by feeding it and working it properly, it will eventually take over our hearts, and when it does, we begin to support, encourage, and disciple others as well.
Jesus then proceeds to give three parables in rapid-fire order: the parables of the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl, and the Fishing Net.
As with the previous two parables, Jesus’ purpose with these three is to help us understand a very difficult concept: the Kingdom of God—the spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God’s authority.
Also, as in the previous two parables, Jesus offers no explanation. Could it be that Jesus sees the meanings as obvious? Or is He encouraging us to dig deeper, to let His Spirit speak to us through these stories in order to bring deeper meaning to our lives? “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings “…from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old” (Matthew 13:52 NLT).
Let’s take a closer look: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.” (Matthew 13:44 NLT). And immediately after, Jesus says, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46 NLT).
On the surface, both parables teach the same truth: God’s Kingdom is of supreme value and must become our first priority. But there is a subtle difference.
In the Hidden Treasure, the man isn’t searching—he stumbles upon it, hides it again, then sells everything to buy the field. This represents the one who isn’t seeking God, but discovers Him unexpectedly—through a word, a sermon, a song, or life circumstances. He may not act immediately, but eventually he does. This reminds us never to underestimate the seeds we sow. God may use them later to draw someone to Himself.
In contrast, the Pearl represents a seeker—someone longing for truth, perhaps disappointed by empty religion. He keeps searching until he finds God, and then gives all for Him.
The third parable takes a different turn: “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away” (Matthew 13:47-48 NLT).
This time Jesus explains: “That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:49-50 NLT).
Again, He adds: disciples are like homeowners who bring, “…from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old” (v. 51b NLT).
Notice: the good and bad fish remain together in the net until the end.
No matter how long you or your loved ones have resisted God’s Kingdom, there is still hope until the end! God does everything to save mankind: “The Lord is…patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT). He doesn’t cast a line to save us. He casts a net—to give everyone every possible chance!
So what ties these parables together? The first two show those who discover the Kingdom—whether by seeking or stumbling upon it—and who recognize its value and do everything in their power to have it. The last shows that even those not interested will still be drawn in and given one final chance. That’s how badly God wants us in His Kingdom!
What about you?
If you know the Lord, I encourage you to seek His kingdom with everything you have. Make it your #1 priority.
If you don’t know the Lord, then perhaps you have just found your “hidden treasure”, something that you recognize of great value, something worth fighting for.
But if you are reading this and you don’t recognize anything that you think you need in your life, don’t despair! You have until the moment you leave this earth to make that final decision, and God will not stop pursuing you until the time that it is too late!
Please join us next Saturday as we continue to find hidden truths in the “Stories Jesus Told!”
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
(To access the entire “Stories Jesus Told” mini-series, please click here!)
