Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

In your study of the Bible have you ever wondered not just about what a particular passage means, but also why it has been placed in a particular spot in the flow of the passage?

I believe we can learn a lot from the context of a passage or verse of Scripture. For instance, in Matthew 13 Jesus found himself surrounded by a “great multitude” of people, so many in fact that he went out from the sea shore in a boat as they stood on the bank and he taught them in parables.

The first is the classic Parable of the Soils. It stands as a model for his way of teaching in parables and also as a basis for determining its effectiveness in the lives of his disciples. The point of the parable is that our willingness to receive and apply his teaching determines how productive it is in our lives. If we allow distractions, if we succumb to obstacles, his word will not be able to produce in us the results he desires.

The second, the Parable of the Tares, is a parable about final judgment. This is followed by two parables, The Mustard Seed and The Leaven, emphasizing the powerful impact the kingdom will have, even from a small beginning. After explaining the link between his teaching method and prophecy, Matthew then shares Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Tares or Weeds, which focuses on the opposing destinies of the righteous and wicked.

The next two parables focus on the need to make a commitment and the ultimate value of the kingdom. The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price lay out scenarios where something of incomparable value is found and someone is willing to give all to obtain it.

The final parable, The Parable of the Net, returns to the theme of final judgment. Sandwiched between these two parables about the solemn nature of the final judgment, the Parables of Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price are raised to a greater level, because, in light of the judgment day, what we choose to value (“Seek first the kingdom of God – Matthew 6:33) has eternal and immeasurable consequences.

So have you found the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, that for which you are willing to give your all. We become most passionate about what is most important to us.