IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Treasure of the Kingdom

Date: May. 25, 2021

Passage

Matthew 13:44-58 (ESV)

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 13:44

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

1. The value of the kingdom (44-52)

Next, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure so valuable that someone will sell all they have to obtain it. What if a jewel collector was willing to reduce his collection to just one pearl, because he found one that was so precious? That's how the value of the kingdom of heaven outweighs everything else. Like the merchant, we have great joy when we can set our heart on treasure in heaven. Jesus also hoped for his disciples to be teachers like him, who could give the treasures of God's kingdom to others.

2. A prophet without honor (53-58)

Sadly, not everyone valued the treasure Jesus wanted to give. When Jesus returned to his hometown to teach, the people had no ears to hear. They were offended when someone from their own town possessed so much wisdom. Jesus knew that people often fail to honor a prophet from their hometown. But we shouldn't let anything stop us from seeing the value of the kingdom of heaven.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me true treasure in the kingdom of heaven. Help me to value it above everything.

One Word: A pearl of great value

Daily Bread

The Lamb Will Triumph

Revelation 17:1-18

Key Verse: 17:14

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

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