Scripture Reading:
Matthew 13:44–58
Key Verse:
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (Matthew 13:13)
What does this passage teach us?
Verses 44–50. The parable of the “treasure hidden in the field,” and the “merchant man seeking valuable pearls,” appear intended to convey one and the same lesson. They vary, no doubt, in one striking particular. The “treasure” was found of one who does not seem to have sought it. The “pearl” was found of one who was actually seeking pearls. But the conduct of the finders, in both cases, was precisely alike; both “sold all” to make the thing found their own property. And it is exactly at this point that the instruction of both parables agrees.
These two parables are meant to teach us, that men really convinced of the importance of salvation, will give up everything to win Christ, and eternal life.
What was the conduct of the two men our Lord describes? The one was persuaded that there was a “treasure hidden in the field,” which would amply repay him, if he bought the field, however great the price that he might give. The other was persuaded that the “pearl” he had found was so immensely valuable, that it would compensate him to purchase it at any cost. Both were convinced that they had found a thing of great value. Both were satisfied that it was worth a great present sacrifice to make this thing their own. Others might wonder at them. Others might think them foolish for paying such a sum of money for the field and pearl. But they knew what they were about. They were sure that they were making a good bargain.
Behold in this single picture, the conduct of a true Christian explained! He is what he is, and does what he does in his religion, because he is thoroughly persuaded that it is worth while. He comes out from the world. He puts off the old man. He forsakes the vain companions of his past life. Like Matthew, he gives up everything, and, like Paul, he “counts all things loss” for Christ’s sake. And why? Because he is convinced that Christ will make amends to him for all he gives up. He sees in Christ an endless “treasure.” He sees in Christ a precious “pearl.” To win Christ he will make any sacrifice. This is true faith. This is the stamp of a genuine work of the Holy Spirit.
Behold in these two parables the real clue to the conduct of many unconverted people! They are what they are in religion, because they are not fully persuaded that it is worthwhile to be different. They flinch from decision. They shrink from taking up the cross. They halt between two opinions. They will not commit themselves. They will not come forward boldly on the Lord’s side. And why? Because they are not convinced that it will compensate them. They are not sure that “the treasure” is before them. They are not satisfied that “the pearl” is worth so great a price. They cannot yet make up their minds to “sell all,” that they may win Christ. And so too often they perish everlastingly! When a man will venture nothing for Christ’s sake, we must draw the sorrowful conclusion that he has not got the grace of God.
The parable of the net let down into the sea, has some points in common with that of the wheat and the tares. It is intended to instruct us on a most important subject, the true nature of the visible Church of Christ.
The preaching of the Gospel was the letting down of a large net into the midst of the sea of this world. The professing church which it was to gather together, was to be a mixed body. Within the folds of the net, there were to be fish of every kind, both good and bad. Within the pale of the Church there were to be Christians of various sorts, unconverted as well as converted, false as well as true. The separation of good and bad is sure to come at last, but not before the end of the world. Such was the account which the great Master gave to His disciples of the churches which they were to found.
It is of the utmost importance to have the lessons of this parable deeply engraved on our minds. There is hardly any point in Christianity on which greater mistakes exist, than the nature of the visible Church. There is none, perhaps, on which mistakes are so perilous to the soul.
Let us learn from this parable, that all congregations of professed Christians ought to be regarded as mixed bodies. They are all assemblies containing “good fish and bad,” converted and unconverted, children of God and children of the world, and ought to be described and addressed as such. To tell all baptized people, that they are born again, and have the Spirit, and are members of Christ, and are holy, in the face of such a parable as this, is utterly unwarrantable. Such a mode of address may flatter and please. It is not likely to profit or save. It is painfully calculated to promote self- righteousness, and lull sinners to sleep. It overthrows the plain teaching of Christ, and is ruinous to souls. Do we ever hear such doctrine? If we do, let us remember “the net.”
Finally, let it be a settled principle with us, never to be satisfied with mere outward church-membership. We may be inside the net, and yet not be in Christ. The waters of baptism are poured on myriads who are never washed in the water of life. The bread and wine are eaten and drunk by thousands at the Lord’s table, who never feed on Christ by faith. Are we converted? Are we among the “good fish?” This is the grand question. It is one which must be answered at last. The net will soon be “drawn to shore.” The true character of every man’s religion will at length be exposed. There will be an eternal separation between the good fish and the bad. There will be a “furnace of fire” for the wicked.
Verses 51–58. The first thing which we ought to notice in these verses, is the striking question with which our Lord winds up the seven wonderful parables of this chapter. He said, “Have you understood all these things?”
Personal application has been called the “soul” of preaching. A sermon without application is like a letter posted without an address. It may be well written, rightly dated, and duly signed. But it is useless, because it never reaches its destination. Our Lord’s inquiry is an admirable example of real heart-searching application, “Have you understood?”
The mere form of hearing a sermon can profit no man, unless he comprehends what it means. He might just as well listen to the blowing of a trumpet, or the beating of a drum. His intellect must be set in motion, and his heart impressed. Ideas must be received into his mind. He must carry off the seeds of new thoughts. Without this he hears in vain.
It is of great importance to see this point clearly.
Let us watch our souls in this matter. Let us take with us to church, not only our bodies, but our minds, our reason, our hearts, and our consciences. Let us often ask ourselves, “What have I got from this sermon? What have I learned? What truths have been impressed on my mind?” Intellect, no doubt, is not everything in religion. But it does not therefore follow that it is nothing at all. The heart is unquestionably the main point. But we must never forget that the Holy Spirit generally reaches the heart through the mind. Sleepy, idle, inattentive hearers, are never likely to be converted.
The second thing, which we ought to notice in these verses, is the strange treatment which our Lord received in His own country.
He came to the town of Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and “taught in their synagogue.” His teaching, no doubt, was the same as it always was. “Never a man spoke like this man.” But it had no effect on the people of Nazareth. They were “astonished,” but their hearts were unmoved. They said, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary?” They despised Him, because they were so familiar with Him. “They were offended in Him.” And they drew from our Lord the solemn remark, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house.”
Let us see, in this history, a melancholy page of human nature unfolded to our view. We are all prone to despise mercies, if we are accustomed to them, and have them cheap. The Bibles and religious books, which are so plentiful, the means of grace of which we have so abundant a supply, the preaching of the Gospel which we hear every week—all, all are liable to be undervalued. It is mournfully true that in religion, more than in anything else, “familiarity breeds contempt.” Men forget that truth is truth, however old it may sound, and despise it because it is old. Alas! By so doing, they provoke God to take it away.
Do we wonder that the relations, servants and neighbors of godly people are not always converted? Do we wonder that the parishioners of eminent ministers of the Gospel are often their hardest and most impenitent hearers? Let us wonder no more. Let us mark the experience of our Lord at Nazareth, and learn wisdom.
Do we ever imagine that if we had only seen and heard Jesus Christ, we would have been His faithful disciples? Do we think that if we had only lived near Him, and been eyewitnesses of His ways, we would not have been undecided, wavering, and half-hearted about religion? If we do, let us think so no longer. Let us observe the people of Nazareth, and learn wisdom.
Questions:
What are the themes of chapters 1 through 13?
What is the Kingdom of God according to Romans 14:17?
What is the Pearl of Great Price? Christ or His Kingdom?
What are those cast into hell doing, according to the words of Christ?
Why did Jesus refuse to do many mighty works in Nazareth (His own country)?
Family Discussion Questions:
What is the greatest value in your life? What are you striving after more than anything else?
Why do people have a hard time accepting the gift(s) of their own pastors, teachers, or elders? Is this one of our struggles? Do we resist the teaching of our own brothers in our midst?
