Twin parables is what the two might be called. One follows the other in the 13th chapter of Matthew. One is about a hidden treasure found in a field and the other about a pearl so valuable that the merchant sold everything in his inventory to buy the one. But the common denominator to both is, of course, the opening words in which we hear Jesus saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like..." and the closing phrase about "selling all that he has to buy." (Matthew 13:44-46)
What is obvious is that Jesus is declaring that nothing is of any greater value than the Kingdom of Heaven. Nothing measures up to being a part of what God is doing in the world. When it is all said and done nothing in our life is more important than the Kingdom of Heaven. Of course, this is a word that goes against the grain of everything our culture values. Most of us spend most of our energy on things like accumulating more, elevating ourselves to a higher status in the eyes of others, and securing security for ourselves and our family. Pursuing the Kingdom is more like a peripheral issue.
Could we be so wrong? Could we be kin to the young man who showed up in the presence of Jesus as a seeker only to be told, "...go sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21) Could it be that there are other things in our life which are more important to us than being one who is actively involved in pushing the rule of God another step forward in the place where He has put us? Could it be that these twin parables are so convicting that we dismiss them into the world of being too simple to be relevant? Could it possibly be?
What is obvious is that Jesus is declaring that nothing is of any greater value than the Kingdom of Heaven. Nothing measures up to being a part of what God is doing in the world. When it is all said and done nothing in our life is more important than the Kingdom of Heaven. Of course, this is a word that goes against the grain of everything our culture values. Most of us spend most of our energy on things like accumulating more, elevating ourselves to a higher status in the eyes of others, and securing security for ourselves and our family. Pursuing the Kingdom is more like a peripheral issue.
Could we be so wrong? Could we be kin to the young man who showed up in the presence of Jesus as a seeker only to be told, "...go sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21) Could it be that there are other things in our life which are more important to us than being one who is actively involved in pushing the rule of God another step forward in the place where He has put us? Could it be that these twin parables are so convicting that we dismiss them into the world of being too simple to be relevant? Could it possibly be?
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