MATTHEW LESSON 28
We begin this lesson in Matthew 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath
found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he
hath, and buyeth that field."
This Scripture above, is telling us that we must be willimg to
give up the things of the world. Nothing is more valuable than the
things of God. Whatever price we have to pay is not too much to follow
Jesus.
Matthew 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a
merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:" Matthew 13:46 "Who, when he had
found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and
bought it."
Here, again, this Scripture is saying that the greatest value in
the world is Jesus. The pearl of great price, here, is the most valuable
item. It just means salvation through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net,
that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:" Matthew 13:48
"Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and
gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away."
This is very interesting. Salvation is offered to everyone. The
"sea", here, means masses of people. You see, Jesus has thrown the net
for everyone. He died for all, but not every one receives salvation.
At a special time, everyone will die to this world and stand before
Jesus. The Christians will be the keepers in this fish net. Those cast
away (those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus) will be condemned to
hell.
Matthew 13:49 "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels
shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just," Matthew
13:50 "And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be
wailing and gnashing of teeth."
This is just a more detailed description of the separation of the
followers of Jesus and the followers of Satan. Those who reject Jesus
as Saviour will burn forever in hell.
Matthew 13:51 "Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all
these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord."
The "them", here, means the disciples. After Jesus explained to
them how to interpret these parables, it was easy for them to see.
Matthew 13:52 "Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe
[which is] instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man
[that is] an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure
[things] new and old."
I believe this, probably, has to do with old and new information,
which is knowledge we have learned through the Spirit of God. Some
things we know and have known for quite awhile. Some things we learn
new every day. We must write these things, so others may share in them.
Matthew 13:53 "And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had
finished these parables, he departed thence."
These parables and their meaning were for the disciples'
instruction.
Matthew 13:54 "And when he was come into his own country, he
taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished,
and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty
works?"
Notice, this said in "their" synagogue. They recognized Jesus as a
great teacher and even recognized Him for His great miracles, but they
really had no idea who He was. They called Him a man. They really
thought anyone not taught in their schools could not possibly know
anything worthwhile.
Matthew 13:55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother
called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and
Judas?" Matthew 13:56 "And his sisters, are they not all with us?
Whence then hath this [man] all these things?"
We will hear the Lord Jesus say later that a prophet is not
without honor, but in his own home town. They knew Jesus in the flesh,
not in the Spirit. They could not believe that He was anyone special,
because they knew His earthly family. Had they known the Scriptures as
well as they thought they did, they would have recognized Him as God's
only begotten Son.
Matthew 13:57 "And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto
them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in
his own house."
Isn't this the way even with people who are called to the
ministry today? Friends and family have a very hard time believing
that you have been called of God. We will see the results of unbelief
in the next verse. It is really difficult to minister to people who do
not believe that you are called of God.
Matthew 13:58 "And he did not many mighty works there because of
their unbelief."
So many times when Jesus healed someone, He would say, your faith
has made you whole. Faith has everything to do with healing, and even
with salvation. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Read chapter 14 of Matthew for the next lesson.
Matthew Questions 28
1. What is compared to a treasure in a field?
2. What drastic step did he do to buy the field?
3. What does this parable tell us?
4. What did the man do that found the pearl of great price?
5. What does this pearl mean?
6. What is the sea symbolic of?
7. What symbolizes the Christian in this?
8. What will the angels do to the evil, severed from the good?
9. When Jesus asked if the disciples understood, what did they
answer?
10. Who was the scribe likened to?
11. What were the parables for?
12. When He went to His own land, where did He teach?
13. What attitude did they have?
14. What recognition did they give Jesus?
15. What did they really think about Jesus?
16. They thought because Jesus was not taught in their schools,
He _________ ___________.
17. Whose son did they think He was?
18. Name four brothers of Jesus?
19. What was wrong with their knowledge of Jesus?
20. What statement did Jesus make about a prophet?
21. Who are the people who are hardest to convince that you are called
to the ministry?
22. Why did Jesus not do many mighty works there?
23. When Jesus healed, what did they say?
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