Tuesday, March 10- Matthew 13:44-52

I really want a grain based cereal, a slushy, or a burrito.

44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
-Guess this chapter is big on the kingdom of heaven. Iono if I think about it that much. In this it is compared to a treasure. He must've been pretty happy finding it.
-Wonder what the cultural implications of buying a field like this would've been. Seems like an interesting way to go about getting a treasure.

45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
-More kingdom thinking. this time the man was looking for treasure.

46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
-Weird to to think of heaven being something found. These people are giving all they have to attain the treasure that they find. Wonder what you do when you have a pearl and nothing else. It's kind of a weird analogy but it must've been an amazing pearl.

47"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
-Again more kingdom talk. This time the subject is different. It's not talking about the value of finding heaven, but the process of getting in.

48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
-More talk about the separation process of getting into heaven. It's very clear that there will be two different groups. Those that get in, and those that don't.

49This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
-Judgment on the bad side will be harsh. There will be no room for negotiation. The difference between good and bad will be clear. People on the bad side will be sad.

51"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked.
"Yes," they replied.
-It was important to Jesus that they understood the kingdom. Value and reality of entrance. Guess I gotta jam this in my mind and be able to answer yes as well.

52He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."
-Strange statement. I suppose it would make it very important that teachers of the law be instructed in the kingdom because the value of their teaching will increase a lot. Old and new treasures.
-Guess my goal is to think about the kingdom of heaven more.