Matthew 13:44-58

Matthew 13:44-58 (New International Version)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

 ⁴⁴"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

 ⁴⁵"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

 ⁴⁷"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 ⁵¹"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. 
      "Yes," they replied.

 ⁵²He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

A Prophet Without Honor

 ⁵³When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. ⁵⁴Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. ⁵⁵"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" ⁵⁷And they took offense at him. 
      But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."

 ⁵⁸And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Devotional (Hidden Treasure - by Mikey Skoglund)

This passage always makes me think about what I would do if I were to find a great treasure in a field.  Just imagine finding a whole mine full of gold or a ton of oil underneath some land that was for sale.  Now we're talking about becoming instant millionaires here, but the only way you could afford the land was to sell all of the stuff that you currently have. You would be more than happy to go and sell your stuff wouldn't you? I mean, you could just buy all of that stuff back and retire early when you obtained that treasure in the field.  Now Jesus is saying in this parable that the kingdom of heaven is like this hidden treasure.  He's not saying that the kingdom of heaven is some get rich quick scheme, but He is saying that living your life for the purposes of God is worth far more than anything else we could possess in this life, in fact this treasure is worth everything.   

Prayer
Lord, please help me to discover the hidden treasures in my life.  Give me eyes to see what things in my life I can joyfully get rid of in order to take a step closer to obtaining the hidden treasure talked about in this parable.  Thank You for Your love and wisdom in my life Lord.