Hidden Message Brings Assurance and Hope Matthew 13:44-52 Pastor Dan Matasovsky This morning we will look at 3 parables Jesus told to the people: The Hidden Treasure in the field, The Pearl of Great Price and the Parable of the Net. The first two don t seem to fit with the third parable until you get to the conclusion that Jesus gives to the disciples in verse 51-52. So our theme for this service is: A Hidden Message brings assurance and hope. If I were to break down our message today it would follow the outline in your bulletin today. 1. The importance of the disciples to the Lord. 2. The cost Jesus paid for those disciples, and 3. that Jesus is searching for more disciples before the end of the world comes. Let me get into the first parable with a story: In the early 1930 s, Dr. John Williamson,a geologist was in the country of Tanzania, looking for places where he might be able to set up a Diamond Mine. One day, he found himself driving in a deserted area, slipping and sliding along a rain-soaked road. Suddenly his four-wheel drive vehicle sank up to its axles in the mud and got stuck. Pulling Taking out his shovel, Dr. Williamson began the unpleasant task of digging out of a mud hole. He had been at it for a while when his shovel uncovered something strange. It was a pink-like stone of some sort. Being a geologist and naturally curious about rock formations, he picked it up and wiped away the mud. The more mud he removed, the more excited he became, and could hardly believe what he saw. When the stone was finally clean, Dr. Williamson was beside himself with joy. He had discovered a large diamond. Now, any diamond at all would be a surprise in that situation. But Dr. John Williamson found what became known as the famous pink diamond of Tanzania. That stone today sits in the royal scepter of Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain, and Dr. Williamson is famous around the world for this find even though it was rather accidental. Well the parables that Jesus is sharing with us this morning are no accidental information. They are told by Jesus to the Disciples so they might have the assurance and hope that He desires for them. So this morning we want to discover the HIDDEN MESSAGE THAT CAN BRING ASSURANCE AND HOPE TO YOUR LIFE AND MINE. I. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure "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 the field." (Matthew 13:44). A Treasure hidden in the field. In Israel this was a very common practice to take your valuables and bury them in the ground. It might sound strange to us, but it was a very common practice in that century. Today we usually put our money in a bank. We usually keep our valuables in a safety deposit box. But, back in those days, there were no banks for the common people. Only wealthy folks had access to banks, and the banks were not a safe place to keep your valuables. This was important in Israel because of Israel location along the Mediterranean Sea. To the East was the desert to the west the Mediterranean Sea so troops in battle say for instance between Egypt and the Syrians would travel through Israel. Enemy nations such as the Syrians, The Greeks, the Romans took over the land. Burying their valuables protected them against any enemies who might raid their homes and try to steal everything. Now we need to note that this is a parable. Again Jesus is telling an earthly story which has a heavenly meaning. So who are the characters in this text.. I know that most people have interpreted the 1 P a g e
man who is walking across the field as the key to the text. Some would say this is a person searching for Lord Jesus Christ. This interpretation has a number of problems...dr. Jeff Gibbs, from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis points out a number of them, First we do not seek God..God comes looking for you and me...john quotes Jesus as saying.. You did not choose me, but I chose you. SECOND... you and I do not go out and buy our way into the kingdom of God. God in Christ has died on the cross for you and me. He gave His life that we might be free from our sins.. So let s look at this parable from a little different perspective. This parable is telling is that Jesus IS THE ONE SEARCHNG FOR VALUABLE PEOPLE, SUCH AS THE DISCIPLES WHO WERE BEFORE HIM.... He is looking for those who have been exposed to the Word of God, and they know about THE PROMISED MESSIAH. The Lord calls these men into His Kingdom and has come to rescue them from themselves. Remember Jesus is telling this parable before He dies on the cross and rises from the dead. So in the words of the parable he hides them keeping them safe from the evil one. He is like a man who finds the precious treasure and hides it and then in His joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Jesus considers those disciples so precious that he gives His all so they might be His. PARABLE OF PEARL OF GREAT PRICE... V. 45-46. The second parable has a similar message..again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls, When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. The merchant finds the Pearl and considers it so valuable that He will sell all to possess it. Think about what our Lord and Savior did. He lives the perfect life on this earth He allows himself to be nailed to the cross dying for the sins of the whole world and then on the third day to rise again from death for each one of us. Think about that for a few moments. YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS TO THE LORD THAT HE WOULD DIE IN YOUR PLACE DOESN T THAT GIVE YOU THE ASSURANCE THAT YOU are precious to the Lord? And doesn t that give you the assurance that one day you will be with Him in Heaven. WHAT A LORD? Both of these parables do APPLY TO YOU AND ME IT IS critical to your life and mine..he gave His all for you and you and you. He gave up the comfort of heaven... came down to the troubles of this earth... He dies as a common criminal so YOU AND I CAN BE A PART OF ETERNAL LIFE... Again we do not seek God... GOD SOUGHT US and we do not sell all we have to purchase the Kingdom of God... The kingdom of God is given to us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But now we have this 3 rd parable that doesn t seem to fit with the other 2 in verse 47-49. The kingdom is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When 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. This is how it will be at the end of the age. God s Kingdom on earth is like a net that is cast into the sea between two boats. It gathers all kinds of fish as it is dragged toward shore.. Once the net is full and pulled up on shore, the fishermen will sort out the fish.. Some good and some bad...and Jesus says in V. 49: that is the way it will be at the end of time. The angels will sort out the good from the bad...and it is very clear that there are only two places after this life... either we will be In heaven with the Lord or in hell separated eternally from the Lord. Now let s draw these 3 parables together with reference to other parts of God s Word. 1. The first parable (THE HIDDEN TREASURE) helps us to understand how important each one of us is to the Lord s Kingdom. Here is the Hidden Message Jesus is always seeking those 2 P a g e
who are lost. He has sought and found you and me! But listen to what Jesus said in John 10:14, I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known by them. As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold... them also I must bring in...and they will hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. In effect the Lord desires that every person ON the face of this earth be a part of His kingdom.. And you and I are counted as being those precious ones already in His Kingdom.. DOESN T that give you a sense of strength about God s love and care for you. HE CARES ENOUGH FOR YOU AND ME TO MAKE US A PART OF HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM! 2. The second parable (Pearl of Great Price) tells us that we are so precious to the Lord that he is willing to lay down His life for you and me What comfort in knowing that my salvation is not dependent on me It is what Jesus Christ has done by His perfect life, death and resurrection that made me fit for His kingdom eternally. Luke tells us For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Or John says.. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Every person on the face of this earth has already had their sins taken away..the sad truth is that many don t want anything to do with Jesus and so reject this precious gift of life forever. Jesus gives us tremendous assurance and hope that we are His and that one day we will be with Him in glory. 3. You see the third Parable (THE NET) says that Jesus wants a lot more in His Kingdom. He holds before us the glory of heaven. Paul puts it this way in 2 Cor 8:9 For you know that grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so you through his poverty might become rich. The net is case into the sea and brings in all kinds of fish.. What it means is that the Lord is always seeking for people to become a part of His kingdom. Think about that in regard to your life today. Each one of you in this congregation have friends, relatives and neighbors who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. Now it s true you can not convert them... But you can sow the seed! All you want to do is touch their heart so that you open them to the Lord Jesus Christ. WOW! It is great that God would think so highly of you and me that he would involve us in this process. Focus your attention on the Lord Jesus Christ and simply share what Christ means to you in your daily life. Let me ask you a question: How will the people in your community and your city and world hear about the Lord Jesus Christ? Because you have now called a pastor and he will do the work for you. BY NO MEANS! You and I are called to be witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ to spread the seed of the Word of God because we know and firmly believe that God s Word never returns void. As you share, the Holy Spirit touches their life and convinces and convicts them of the need to look to the Lord Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation. REMEMBER JESUS PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE. I love the conclusion at the end of those first 2 parables: 4. Jesus paid the ultimate price: v. 44 then in his joy, he went and sold all he had and bought that field. V. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. He pays the ultimate price by giving His life in exchange for your life and mine. In 2 Cor. 5:21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God. A great exchange takes place with Jesus Christ. Jesus His righteousness is put on me Me My sinfulness put on Jesus Not only do we live under the Lord Jesus Christ But now it is as if we are standing right next to 3 P a g e
Jesus Christ and our sinfulness has been placed on Him and His righteousness has been placed on you and me. NOW JESUS DRAWS ALL THIS TOGETHER He asks: Have you understood all these things. They respond YES! Then Jesus says: V. 51-51: 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 the Storeroom New Treasures as Well as Old. So Jesus asks the disciples a question: Have you understood all these things? The answer of the disciples is YES!! But we know from reading on particularly at the crucifixion that they really did not understand. Look at what they did! When Jesus was arrested they run away in the garden of Gethsemane. When Jesus was crucified they hide in the upper room. They feared to open the door when anyone came to them. They simply did not understand that both the O.T. message of the promised Messiah was being fulfilled right before their eyes. And they missed it! Even at His Ascension do you remember what they asked Jesus: Will you be coming back to establish a heaven on earth. They still did not grasp the real message of eternity with the Lord in Glory. Later when the Holy Spirit descended on them at Pentecost they were changed individuals. Read the book of Acts and see how they were willing to go out and share the message with everyone who would listen..in fact the people of that day accused them THEY TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN. This is why Jesus says: V. 52 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. The disciples were to imitate Jesus. You know if you have guests at your home you bring out food for his family and guests. Some of the food may be new that you purchased or got from the garden but also some of it has been in the home for a while..maybe some wine to drink, or tea.. or other things. Jesus had trained His disciples to be teachers in the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus wants them to show the connection between the Old Testament and what they see happening before them.. JESUS IS THE PROMISED MESSIAH SPOKEN ABOUT THROUGH OUT THE OLD TESTAMENT AND HE IS THE MESSIAH WHO HAS COME STANDING RIGHT BEFORE THEM. They were to put it together that Jesus is that Messiah who has come. The Bible is the Word of God Old Testament and New. All of this had been received from the Heavenly Father. In Mt. 11:25 Jesus says: I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to the little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. All the Scripture, both O.T. & N.T are to be taught because salvation is by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and He is the promised Messiah JESUS ASKS YOU AND ME. DON T ASSUME EVERYONE IS GOING TO HEAVEN. Think for a few moments of what this means for you and me in the Kingdom of God. You and I need to be ready to share the mystery of God s reign as revealed in Jesus Christ. It is by God s Grace that you and I are saved for eternity. REMEMBER THE EXAMPLE: 4 P a g e
GOD JESUS YOU AND ME.. God looks at us through Jesus Christ. We look to God through Jesus Christ. He sees us as perfect because of Christ. We see God as a loving God because of Christ. Doesn t that give you a tremendous assurance and hope that God in Christ has done all this for you and me?? He has searched for you and me He has placed us in His Heart as being precious in His Kingdom He has already done all that is necessary for our eternal salvation.. BUT NOW HE DESIRES THAT YOU AND I ARE WILLING AND READY TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH PEOPLE AROUND US SO THEY TOO CAN BECOME A PART OF God s greater kingdom eternally. Keep letting down the net says Jesus into the world. Let it be filled with all kinds of people. Yes, some people join probably for the wrong reason.. But bring them in so the Holy Spirit can continue to work on their hearts. But there is only one reason people will be a part of God s eternal Kingdom because they believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That is what we believe and that is what we teach. Our message is two fold. S.O.S. Shows us our sinfulness Shows us our Savior As we live, in the church as Children of the Heavenly Father we do need to be accountable for one another. If someone strays from the way in Christ we do need to point out their sinfulness, but then also show them the Savior who loves them and forgives. Note at the end of this text...jesus says we need to keep this clear when sharing with people. Don t ever assume that everyone is going to heaven. Don t assume that all your good friends will be a part of eternal life. Don t assume that a little knowledge is all that is necessary to be a part of the kingdom of heaven. Don t assume that others will be in eternity because of your faith. Each person must believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior... ALWAYS BE READY TO IMPACT OTHERS. Pray---- make a list--- be friends with others share the message Jesus is interested in impacting our life AND THE LIFE OF OTHERS.. Let me go back to the story of Dr. Jon Williamson who by accident found that precious pink diamond of Tanzania. He rejoiced he got excited. And he was rewarded for something that he found by accident. What about you and me? We didn t find Jesus.. He found us.. We don t buy our way into heaven He paid the price for us. DO YOU HAVE A REASON TO REJOICE?? I DO BECAUSE GOD DID THIS FOR YOU AND YOU AND YOU AND ME.. What a God! By God s Grace in Christ, we have been given the full armor of God, along with the gift of wisdom and understanding, to follow Jesus Christ and speak about our Savior, for He is our hope and our comforter not just today but forever. AMEN. 5 P a g e