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Daily Devotions

Matthew

Matthew 
Day 
Day 210

Understanding the Language of Matthew

Text: Matthew 13 : 24 - 43

What did Matthew mean when he wrote this statement?

“All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables;
And without a parable He did not speak to them.”
MATTHEW 13:34

A number of things may have been in Matthew’s mind as he wrote these words.

1. A specific reference to this series of teachings

Matthew pulled together a lot of parables Jesus spoke. The most striking thing to Matthew was the fact that Jesus chose to speak in parables when He dealt with the theme of “The Kingdom of Heaven”.

2. The word “parable” is a subset of “dark sayings”

Matthew cited Psalm 78. Parables was one of the means used. However, the larger context seems to be “the dark sayings of old”.

Did Jesus not speak to the multitudes in plain language as well? Of course, He did! Matthew did not mean his words to be taken in the wooden-literal sense! His fascination was the fact that the teachings of Jesus were so deep and profound! Even seemingly simple stories had deep and hidden meanings!

PARABLES OF SIMILAR SUB-THEMES

The parables recorded in Matthew 13 may indeed be called “The Kingdom Parables”. The broad theme was “the kingdom of heaven”.

On closer study, we may speak of sub-themes in the kingdom parables. Let us consider three sub-themes.

1. The Longer Parables (with explanation)

a) The parable of the Sower

b) The parable of The Wheat and The Tares

The sub-theme here focuses on the word of the Son of Man sowing the seeds of the Word of God.

2. The Shorter parables (no explanation)

a) Parable of the Mustard Seed

b) Parable of The Leaven

The sub-theme is “growth”. The mustard plant’s capacity for growth is phenomenal. The influence of the leaven also hints at growth, only the focus is on quiet, subtle and invisible-to-the-eye growth.

ANOTHER INTERESTING SUB-THEME

Jesus went on to speak two other parables. Let us take time to read the following text.

“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.”
MATTHEW 13:44

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking
beautiful pearls, who, when he found one pearl of great price,
went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
MATTHEW 13:45-46

Here are some thoughts to mull over as we study these two closely-related parables.

1. A Shift of focus

What was the focus of the other parable Jesus spoke? We see a distinct shift of focus here.

a) Earlier focus – The Kingdom of God itself

b) New focus – Appreciation of the Kingdom of God

These two parables speak of how the kingdom of God may be appreciated. The means chosen was to use things that people generally appreciate.

i) The element “treasure” is introduced.

ii) The element “pearl of great price” is also introduced

2. Appreciation and Discernment

Appreciation and discernment go together. How does one appreciate without proper discernment? The landowner’s delight in finding “treasure” in the prospective piece of property he is buying is obvious. The merchant who knows his pearls finds special joy when he comes across a rare jewel!

3. Appreciation and Sacrifice

It goes without saying that if something is treasured, one is prepared to sell all he has to own that “treasure”. Things of value never come cheaply! The person who appreciates “treasures” is prepared to make all the necessary sacrifices and thinks nothing of them! The delight in obtaining that treasure more than offsets the sacrifices made!

HOW WELL DO WE TREASURE THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

We must ask ourselves this question as we study the Scriptures thoughtfully. How well do we treasure the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven?