Today's lesson comes from Matthew 13: 6-50. This chapter of Matthew is filled with parables. Matthew is the only New Testament writer to use the phrase "kingdom of heaven." He also used the phrase "kingdom of God" five times. The other gospel writers used only the phrase "kingdom of God." There are four parables in this lesson. The first and the last are similar. The second and third are also similar.
Jesus used parables to teach people. Think of parables as stories with an instruction on some spiritual truth. The parables in this lesson comprise one fourth of all the recorded parables of Jesus. The last three, the parable of the treasure, the parable of the pearl, and the parable of the net, are recorded only in the book of Matthew. The parable of the sower is recorded in all three of the Synoptic Gospels. It was given to the multitude. The last three parables were given in a house and no to the multitude.
The first section is "The Harvest." vv. 36-43 The first parable in today's lesson is given only to the disciples. The multitude have been sent away. The sower is Jesus Christ and the good seed are the children of the kingdom. The parable looks to the final harvest. There are wheat (believers) and tares (false believers) growing together in the field (which is the world). The enemy has sowed the tares into the world to battle against the church. Jesus will send His angels to separate the wheat from the tares. The tares will be bound and cast into hell fire. The wheat shall enter into the glories of heaven and be with the Trinity for all eternity. The Roman church believes that the field is the church (not the world) and therefore there would not be a need to cast out tares. Paul in his writings makes clear that discipline is necessary in the church.We need discipline to keep the church holy and be ready for the Holy Bridegroom. We should remember that we need not worry about the tares as God will take care of them in His time. This parable taught the disciples about the work of Satan to plant tares, the ultimate judgment and torment of the tares, and the final blessings for those who walk in holiness and righteousness.
The next section is "The Hidden Treasure." v. 44 This parable is about salvation. Notice the following:
1. The gospel is hid. Only those that receive God's grace can come to Him. (John 6:37, 44). Only those called can find the treasure.
2. While salvation is free, it costs you everything. The finder sold all he had to possess the treasure. Jesus calls His disciples to deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Him.
3. Making a decision or praying a formula prayer saves no one. People are saved when God awakens them to their sinful condition, they see themselves as lost in need of a Savior, and they repent and come to the cross for salvation pleading the blood and not any righteousness of their own.
4. The treasure is hidden because it is not found where many seek it. It is not found in empty confessions, praying the "sinners prayer," being baptized, or working for the church. It is found by simple obedience to the truth.
The third section is "Holiness." vv. 45, 46 This parable speaks to the subject of seeing holiness. The parable speaks of a person who knows there is something more and better than he possesses. Then he discovers the "pearl of great price." This will cost him everything, but it is worth it. He will have to die to himself, give up all rights to himself, and truly submit his all to the Lord. It would be like an estate sale that was selling the house and all the possessions inside. The person who died no longer needed the property. In the same way, we must abandon ourselves, all we have and all we desire to the Holy Spirit. This is what it takes to obtain the "pearl of great price."
Holiness is a "pearl." It is worth all we have to pay to obtain it. Holiness will take you through adversity, storms, and persecution. It will cause you to be triumphant as you walk through the temptations of this life. You don't stumble into holiness, you must seek it. This treasure should be carefully guarded at all cost. Remember, what it takes to get the "pearl" is what it will take to keep it.
The fourth section is "Heaven or Hades." vv. 47-50 The net of the gospel has been cast into the world. When all those foreknown to God have been drawn into the net, the end will come. Think of a dragnet bringing all kinds of fish, some good and some bad. They may be church members, members of some religious group, or just an individual who loves the Lord. In the end, there will be a separation. No one enters heaven on someone's else religion. There will be "wailing and gnashing of teeth" when the lost are cast into hell. When the separation comes, where will you be? Whose side are you on?
The Golden Text is "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (Matt. 13:43) The text speaks about the future. The best comes to those who have the patience to wait. Our greatest rewards are eternal, not earthly. One day, we will truthfully exclaim, that it has been worth it all to suffer for Christ and to be with Him forever.
My summary points:
1. You don't need to worry about the false professors, God will take care of them in the end.
2. You don't stumble into holiness, you must seek it.
3. Holiness is worth everything you have to give up to get it.
4. The wicked will be cast into a fiery hell.
Next week, "Peter Blessed and Rebuked." (Matthew 16:13-28)
Please read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
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