| Sermon, June 27, 2004 |
| "The Treasure & the Pearl" Parables of the Kingdom, Part 6 [1] Matthew 13: 44-66 Rev. Matthew M. Fry |
As we continue to experience the Word of the Lord together, Let us Pray. Almighty God, you
are our treasure. You are more precious than silver, more costly than gold. You are more dear
and beautiful than diamonds, and nothing we desire compares with you. Speak Lord, your
servants are listening. If these words are not Your Word, may they be forgotten and come to
naught. But if they be Thy Word, may they adhere to our hearts, forever transforming us from
glory into glory, into the creatures you would have us be, Thou who art our Rock and
Redeemer. Amen.
are our treasure. You are more precious than silver, more costly than gold. You are more dear
and beautiful than diamonds, and nothing we desire compares with you. Speak Lord, your
servants are listening. If these words are not Your Word, may they be forgotten and come to
naught. But if they be Thy Word, may they adhere to our hearts, forever transforming us from
glory into glory, into the creatures you would have us be, Thou who art our Rock and
Redeemer. Amen.
Today’s passage starts with little fanfare. In fact, this section is three last parables that fit into
our category of Parables of the Kingdom. Note, these are found in Matthew 13, or Mark 4. We’
ve been talking about a short section of scripture, and really drawing out what Jesus was about
during that time. Which is what I really enjoy about looking at a chapter so rich as Matthew 13,
or Mark 4. Anyway, back to the text for today. Your sub-heading in your Bible may read
something like “Jesus tells 3 more parables”, and today we are looking at the first two. Next
sermon in this series, the last, we’ll look at the last of these parables. But the parables are just
dropped in with no elaboration. Remember the 4 categories that Jesus is displaying about the
kingdom in these parables, and look for them in this particular parable. They are that the
kingdom is (1) all-embracing, (2) mysterious, (3) hidden and already present in this world, and
(4) aggressively demanding our response.
our category of Parables of the Kingdom. Note, these are found in Matthew 13, or Mark 4. We’
ve been talking about a short section of scripture, and really drawing out what Jesus was about
during that time. Which is what I really enjoy about looking at a chapter so rich as Matthew 13,
or Mark 4. Anyway, back to the text for today. Your sub-heading in your Bible may read
something like “Jesus tells 3 more parables”, and today we are looking at the first two. Next
sermon in this series, the last, we’ll look at the last of these parables. But the parables are just
dropped in with no elaboration. Remember the 4 categories that Jesus is displaying about the
kingdom in these parables, and look for them in this particular parable. They are that the
kingdom is (1) all-embracing, (2) mysterious, (3) hidden and already present in this world, and
(4) aggressively demanding our response.
So, hear now The Word of the Lord as it comes to us in the gospel of Matthew. Listen for
God’s Word for you today. Matthew 13.44-46. The Grass withers, the Flower falls, but the
Word of the Lord endures forever…Thanks be to God.
God’s Word for you today. Matthew 13.44-46. The Grass withers, the Flower falls, but the
Word of the Lord endures forever…Thanks be to God.
You can see where these short parables really mark well in the 4 categories that I have insisted
ring throughout these descriptions Jesus gives of the kingdom. Obviously, the parable of the
treasure marks well in the hidden aspect of the kingdom. First off, the treasure is hidden in a
field. And once it is found, the man hides it again, and then in joy sells everything he has and
buys the whole field. When we ring the bell of the mystery of the kingdom, we’re not talking
about a merely invisible thing, that, if you don’t bother it, it won’t bother you. Instead, the
reality in which we live is the kingdom of God, where only in God do all things find existence.
Whether or not people recognize it, it is reality. The reconciling power of God pervades this
world, and all of creation, whether or not you know it. The mystery is exactly what the parable
of the Treasure hidden in the field says it is; something worth selling anything you must to enjoy
possessing.[2] {} We know the secret of life. The secret is that God is alive and active in
sustaining the world. The rest of the world doesn’t know or doesn’t recognize it. But that
doesn’t mean that God isn’t still caring for them, sustaining them, holding them as God’s own.
We know that this world is not completely random, there is something deeper within it, the
kingdom of God. We know the secret mystery. Thanks be to God.
ring throughout these descriptions Jesus gives of the kingdom. Obviously, the parable of the
treasure marks well in the hidden aspect of the kingdom. First off, the treasure is hidden in a
field. And once it is found, the man hides it again, and then in joy sells everything he has and
buys the whole field. When we ring the bell of the mystery of the kingdom, we’re not talking
about a merely invisible thing, that, if you don’t bother it, it won’t bother you. Instead, the
reality in which we live is the kingdom of God, where only in God do all things find existence.
Whether or not people recognize it, it is reality. The reconciling power of God pervades this
world, and all of creation, whether or not you know it. The mystery is exactly what the parable
of the Treasure hidden in the field says it is; something worth selling anything you must to enjoy
possessing.[2] {} We know the secret of life. The secret is that God is alive and active in
sustaining the world. The rest of the world doesn’t know or doesn’t recognize it. But that
doesn’t mean that God isn’t still caring for them, sustaining them, holding them as God’s own.
We know that this world is not completely random, there is something deeper within it, the
kingdom of God. We know the secret mystery. Thanks be to God.
Consider also where it is hidden. Obviously, unlike the sower or the seed, the treasure is not
broadcast throughout the field; it by definition is in one spot. However, the note of the
all-embracing nature of the kingdom is rung when the smart businessman buys the whole field.
Jesus refers here not to the all-embracing nature of the mystery. That is, Jesus is not saying that
everyone embraces the mystery of the kingdom. Instead, the kingdom embraces everyone. The
mystery demands that much, so that those who choose to may respond to the mystery.
broadcast throughout the field; it by definition is in one spot. However, the note of the
all-embracing nature of the kingdom is rung when the smart businessman buys the whole field.
Jesus refers here not to the all-embracing nature of the mystery. That is, Jesus is not saying that
everyone embraces the mystery of the kingdom. Instead, the kingdom embraces everyone. The
mystery demands that much, so that those who choose to may respond to the mystery.
Every Sunday we recite those words, “I believe in the holy catholic church.” Some people
have suggested that we change that to holy Christian church. In terms of the gospel, that would
be a disastrous switch. When we say the holy catholic church, catholic means united and all-
embracing, not the particular brand of church. And some argue that switching it to holy
Christian church would help explain that mis-understanding. But, the church is not, in any
proper sense, Christian. Its members are indeed called Christians. But it is not some exclusive,
religious, dogmatically intolerant society whose members have a monopoly on the mystery. It is
not a club whose insiders, who, because of their good behavior or right belief, are the channels
through which the Word conveys himself to the world. Instead, the church is a sign to the
world of the mystery by which the Light has already lightened the whole enchilada, by which the
divine Leaven has already leavened the whole lump of creation. Therefore, the church is
precisely catholic, when we understand catholic as meaning united and all-embracing, and not
Christian. It is not a sacrament to the few of salvation that we have but the world does not.
Instead, it is the sign of the salvation of the entire world.[3]
have suggested that we change that to holy Christian church. In terms of the gospel, that would
be a disastrous switch. When we say the holy catholic church, catholic means united and all-
embracing, not the particular brand of church. And some argue that switching it to holy
Christian church would help explain that mis-understanding. But, the church is not, in any
proper sense, Christian. Its members are indeed called Christians. But it is not some exclusive,
religious, dogmatically intolerant society whose members have a monopoly on the mystery. It is
not a club whose insiders, who, because of their good behavior or right belief, are the channels
through which the Word conveys himself to the world. Instead, the church is a sign to the
world of the mystery by which the Light has already lightened the whole enchilada, by which the
divine Leaven has already leavened the whole lump of creation. Therefore, the church is
precisely catholic, when we understand catholic as meaning united and all-embracing, and not
Christian. It is not a sacrament to the few of salvation that we have but the world does not.
Instead, it is the sign of the salvation of the entire world.[3]
The church, like the buyer of the field, cannot afford to leave “unbought” any part of the
earthly filed in which God has hidden the treasure of the mystery. We’d better “Love them all,”
cause they are all part of God’s creation, and if we don’t, we might just, no we certainly will
miss the treasure and the mystery.
earthly filed in which God has hidden the treasure of the mystery. We’d better “Love them all,”
cause they are all part of God’s creation, and if we don’t, we might just, no we certainly will
miss the treasure and the mystery.
Now. I could end there, and while short, it would be a nice sermon. But sometimes its good
to go beyond nice. So, lets go like Emeril. You know, kick it up a notch. Play along with me
for just a moment. BAM.
to go beyond nice. So, lets go like Emeril. You know, kick it up a notch. Play along with me
for just a moment. BAM.
Suppose, if you will, that the field, in the first parable, is a farm. Add to that, the images of the
buyer of the land who “buries” the treasure, so that one day, when he can liquidate enough
assets, he “buys the farm.” One of the most all-embracing things is death. We all buy the farm.
Death, along with birth, is an all-embracing experience. We all do it. Some of us get rich; some
of us get sick; some of us get funny in the head; some of us write sermons; some of us live in
Walla Walla Washington. But every last one of us dies. Death is the great level playing field,
where the affluent and the underprivileged are all destined to go. So, when you look at it this
way, if the treasure is on that field, and you “buy the farm” to get it, then again, since no one will
be without death, no one will ever be without Jesus’ reconciliation.[4]
buyer of the land who “buries” the treasure, so that one day, when he can liquidate enough
assets, he “buys the farm.” One of the most all-embracing things is death. We all buy the farm.
Death, along with birth, is an all-embracing experience. We all do it. Some of us get rich; some
of us get sick; some of us get funny in the head; some of us write sermons; some of us live in
Walla Walla Washington. But every last one of us dies. Death is the great level playing field,
where the affluent and the underprivileged are all destined to go. So, when you look at it this
way, if the treasure is on that field, and you “buy the farm” to get it, then again, since no one will
be without death, no one will ever be without Jesus’ reconciliation.[4]
Oh no, I can see it in your faces and hear it in your hearts. You have an objections. Well, you
say, what about those that will reject the reconciliation. Scripture even covers this, you object.
Of course it does. But the pit of hell exists because its inhabitants will continually be insisting on
a perpetual rejection of an equally perpetual gift. Those in hell are in hell now, and will continue
to reside in hell for so long as they wage an eternal struggle to escape from the grip of a love that
refuses to let them go.[5]
say, what about those that will reject the reconciliation. Scripture even covers this, you object.
Of course it does. But the pit of hell exists because its inhabitants will continually be insisting on
a perpetual rejection of an equally perpetual gift. Those in hell are in hell now, and will continue
to reside in hell for so long as they wage an eternal struggle to escape from the grip of a love that
refuses to let them go.[5]
Anyway, back to the passage at hand. Interesting note comes up in the sentence parable on the
Pearl. The verb that is used for the selling, he sells and he sold, is Pipraskein. In the parable just
above it, the verb is polein. The two are synonymous, but pipraskein has a sense of selling
someone out, or flipping them, to use the parlance of our times. Pipraskein is also used for selling
someone into slavery in Matthew 18.25 and Romans 7.14. In the Treasure, the man simply sells
what he has, but in the Pearl, the man sold, pipraskein, all things whatsoever he had.[6]
Pearl. The verb that is used for the selling, he sells and he sold, is Pipraskein. In the parable just
above it, the verb is polein. The two are synonymous, but pipraskein has a sense of selling
someone out, or flipping them, to use the parlance of our times. Pipraskein is also used for selling
someone into slavery in Matthew 18.25 and Romans 7.14. In the Treasure, the man simply sells
what he has, but in the Pearl, the man sold, pipraskein, all things whatsoever he had.[6]
There is a note of scandal in this parable. In the treasure, the man finds it, quite possibly by
mistake. We don’t think he had his pirate map out, was counting paces and looking for x marks
on the ground. But the pearl hunter was looking for pearls. Score one point again for the
scandalous nature of the gospel. For certainly while the gospel is worth our selling of whatever
it takes, it won’t be wrapped up into a nice and neat moral package that we wish it would be.
We want to tone it down so much, take away anything scandalous about it, and in doing so, take
away its life and breath. Thank goodness, no thank God, that God won’t let us mess up the
kingdom or the mystery or the gospel by making it into a nice, neat, tidy, moral package. Where’
s the fun in that? Well, the answer to that question is the same as the answer to the following;
Where’s the living, triune, all-encompassing God in that? Same answer. Thank God that it isn’t
left up to us to make sure the kingdom works. Thank God that it is already present in the world,
is already mysteriously working and at that in sometime scandalous manners. Thank God that
the kingdom is for the whole of creation, and is all-encompassing. And our response, thank God
that it is nothing more, and nothing less, than to accept the reality of God, to forgo everything
else, to sell our allegiance to moralizing religion, and to embrace the kingdom. Amen.
mistake. We don’t think he had his pirate map out, was counting paces and looking for x marks
on the ground. But the pearl hunter was looking for pearls. Score one point again for the
scandalous nature of the gospel. For certainly while the gospel is worth our selling of whatever
it takes, it won’t be wrapped up into a nice and neat moral package that we wish it would be.
We want to tone it down so much, take away anything scandalous about it, and in doing so, take
away its life and breath. Thank goodness, no thank God, that God won’t let us mess up the
kingdom or the mystery or the gospel by making it into a nice, neat, tidy, moral package. Where’
s the fun in that? Well, the answer to that question is the same as the answer to the following;
Where’s the living, triune, all-encompassing God in that? Same answer. Thank God that it isn’t
left up to us to make sure the kingdom works. Thank God that it is already present in the world,
is already mysteriously working and at that in sometime scandalous manners. Thank God that
the kingdom is for the whole of creation, and is all-encompassing. And our response, thank God
that it is nothing more, and nothing less, than to accept the reality of God, to forgo everything
else, to sell our allegiance to moralizing religion, and to embrace the kingdom. Amen.
[1] This Sermon, and this series is based largely on the book by Robert Farrar Capon, The Parables of the
Kingdom. Awesome book, part of an awesome 3 part series, which includes The Parables of Grace and The
Parables of Judgment. Read them. The particulars of the book follow in this endnotes.
[2] Capon, Robert Farrar The Parables of the Kingdom, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand
Rapids Michigan, 1985, pp. 135-136.
Kingdom. Awesome book, part of an awesome 3 part series, which includes The Parables of Grace and The
Parables of Judgment. Read them. The particulars of the book follow in this endnotes.
[2] Capon, Robert Farrar The Parables of the Kingdom, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand
Rapids Michigan, 1985, pp. 135-136.
[3] Capon, pp. 136-137.
[4] Capon, p. 139.
[5] ibid.
[6] Capon, p. 143.
[4] Capon, p. 139.
[5] ibid.
[6] Capon, p. 143.
| IMPORTANT After reading the translation: Click on the [X] in the box in the upper right corner of the translation window. That will close it. You will then return to the English version. |
| Posted July 6 , 2004 |
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