Matthew 13 Devotional

A Treasure Worth Everything

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.”Matthew 13:44 (BSB)

Jesus sits in a boat and teaches the crowd in parables (13:2-3). Seed falls on a path, on rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil, and Jesus explains that fruit comes where the word is heard and understood (13:19-23). He explains the weeds among the wheat as well. They are sown by the devil, and they will be separated out at the close of the age, when the righteous shine in their Father's kingdom (13:39-43).

Two short parables say what the kingdom is worth. A man finds treasure buried in a field and joyfully sells everything to buy that field (13:44). A merchant finds one very precious pearl and does the same (13:45-46). The man in the field is not described as making a grim sacrifice. He has found something worth more than all he owns. The kingdom is not earned by what you give up. It is received as treasure, and that treasure loosens your grip on everything else.

To think about: What are you holding on to most tightly right now, and how might seeing Jesus' kingdom as treasure loosen your grip on it?