2014-06-08 Faith Talk A Wide Perspective
Jesus continued teaching using parables; He shared several short parables throughout the rest of Matthew Chapter
13. As we look at the parables, we can learn several lessons, one of which is to look at things, most things from
different perspectives to get a fuller understanding of their meanings. We often look at Jesus’ parables one at a
time and seek to understand the meaning of the stand-alone parable. I suggest this week we look at Jesus’
parables from an additional perspective, as a collective description of several of the different facets of the richness
of God’s Kingdom.
Read Matthew 13:31-33 (NKJV) 31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a
mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is
grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."
33
Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three
measures[10]of meal till it was all leavened."
Consider: What are seeds used for? Seeds have two purposes or three if you count spitting contests. We either use
seeds for food or plant them. If seeds are not used for what they are meant to be used for, what good are they?
How long are seeds good if they are put away and not used for a long time? Are old seeds as good as new seeds, or
are they worth anything at all? Could seeds here represent faith, gifts or talents, or perhaps the words of God’s
Kingdom like in the wheat and tares parable? Whichever perspective we view this parable from, can we agree, it is
unwise to let any of those things sit unused? How likely are our gifts and abilities and talents to diminish or have
their usefulness disappear altogether if left unused? We do well to use what we are given while we can, or we
stand the chance to lose the ability to benefit from it.
Discuss: Both leaven and seeds are small, some seeds are almost invisible. Both leaven and seeds produce results
when properly used. The results of planting a tiny seed or mixing in a tiny bit of leaven are huge compared to the
packages both come in. If seeds are not planted or eaten or leaven is not mixed in dough, they are worthless. The
same goes for our gifts, talents, and faith. When we allow our gifts, talents, and faith, although they seem tiny and
insignificant, to be used where God intended for them to be used, the results are nothing short of miraculous.
Read Matthew 13:44-50 (NKJV) 44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man
found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl
of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
45
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,
which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the
bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the
just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
47
48
Consider: How many qualities or characteristics of God’s Kingdom and those searching for it do we see here?
Name a few and how they apply to us today:
The first treasure is precious, costly, worth trading everything for. This treasure was found, it seems, by chance
while not necessarily being searched for; the man who found it took huge steps to secure ownership and returned
to claim it. Could the treasure have been too big to take all at one time so it had to be returned for?
The second perspective of the treasure of the Kingdom of God is that it can be found by someone searching for it
on purpose, too. The merchant was looking for beautiful pearls, perhaps searching for the meaning of life applies
2014-06-08 Faith Talk A Wide Perspective
today, perhaps seeking significance, belonging, to feel loved, needed, or cared for fit this parable as well. In any
case the merchant was looking for something specific, and he found it. Again this treasure is worth trading
everything for. How many people do we know who are endlessly for something? Do we have the pearl they seek?
Discuss: God’s Kingdom is like those treasures; it is worth trading everything we have for. In fact, Jesus taught that
very idea when He said we must deny self and take up our cross. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all he had,
give to the poor, and come and follow Him. Jesus taught that we are to love Him more than everything including
our individual family members… God’s Kingdom, the treasure, comes at a high price. God’s Kingdom is worth it.
Notice: The last parable here includes a facet of God’s Kingdom none of the others except the wheat and tares do.
Judgment, a selection process, a dividing of the good and bad, a keeping of the good and a throwing away of the
bad is a real part of God’s Kingdom. We do well to remember, teach and live life with this reality in mind. We all
want to be counted with the good and fruitful and profitable when the time of judgment comes.
Challenge: Identify your gift(s), discuss how God would want you to use them, and determine today to begin to
honor God by living life totally in His will by His design and with His strength.
Love, Tom