A Series on the parables of Jesus
(Click on the link below to read the
verses.)
Matthew 13:44-46
[During the first century, it was common
for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of
Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some
element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things
people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]
If you haven’t heard, a 1952 Mickey Mantle Topps baseball card recently sold for $12.6 million!
In the 60’s, I was
an avid baseball card collector. There was always a high level of excitement as
I would open a pack to see who I got; if it was a card that I needed; if there
was a player that I really liked. If nothing else, I got to chew the cardboard
like stick of Bazooka bubble gum that came with it.
In 1961, I
actually collected the complete set of Topps cards; all 587! This included Al
Kaline (I was a Tiger’s fan), Willie Mays, Roger Maris, Roberto Clemente,
Whitey Ford, Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial and yes… Mickey Mantle!
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.
45 “Again,
the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When
he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought
it. NIV
According to my
NIV Study Bible, “These two parables teach the same truth: The kingdom is of
such great value that one should be willing to give up all one has in order to
gain it.”
As an eleven-year-old boy, I took this idea to heart. I collected those baseball cards as if I
was looking for “treasure hidden in a
field” or “a pearl of great value”.
I was obsessed with getting all 587
cards in the set… no matter what the cost. I even ended up with tons of
duplicate cards. But it was all worth it!
But these
parables raise a question... why. Why did Jesus come to tell us about the
kingdom of heaven? Why is the kingdom of heaven “worth it”?
The answer is in a
Southern folk hymn from the early 1800’s titled, “What Wondrous Love is This”.
It tells the story of just how much Jesus loves us.
What
wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul.
To
God and to the Lamb, who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing.
And
when from death I’m free, I’ll sing his love for me,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on.
It’s not too late for
you to start “collecting cards” so that you might find “treasure hidden in a field” or “a
pearl of great value”. The kingdom
of heaven is offered because of his wondrous love. It’s worth much, much more
than $12.6 million.
***
15 Anyone
with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Matthew
11 NLT
Copyright
If you would like
to listen to “What Wondrous Love is This”, the link is found below.
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