The greatest investment
If you did not use last week’s notes, you might like to look back at the comments on PARABLES and the KINGDOM OF GOD. Even if you did meet it might be worthwhile having a recap.
STARTER
What would you say has been your best investment? And are you willing to admit to your worst investment!?
READ Matthew 13 verses 44-46
These two “little gems” go together. Both stress the incalculable value of the kingdom of God: it is worth any sacrifice. Both stress the cost of gaining it: it will cost all we have.
PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE
Imagine the scene: someone engaged in his daily toil, ploughing a field. Suddenly the ploughshare hits something. The man discovers a box and when he opens it – full of precious jewels! So he quickly buries the box until such time that he is able to buy the field. Was this an honest thing to do – after all, it was not his field? By Jewish Law, “If a man finds scattered money, it belongs to the finder.”
What do you see as the meaning behind the parable? Some people discover the wealth of the kingdom of God almost by accident – they are ploughing the familiar furrow of life, when suddenly, unexpectedly, they find treasure! How did you “discover” Jesus? It may be a worthwhile exercise to encourage members of the group to – briefly – share something of their faith journey. Some may be reluctant so don’t try to force this. What does it mean in daily living when we say that it is worth sacrificing everything to discover Jesus? And what sort of “sacrifices” are we asked to make?
PARABLE OF THE PEARL OF GREAT VALUE
This time it is a rich man who comes across the pearl after a long search. A man who knows about pearls and has spent many years trying to find the “perfect pearl”. There are many other pearls – some very beautiful and expensive – but they all pale into significance when compared to this magnificent pearl. This is the way some people discover the kingdom of God – they are searching for meaning to life; they look into many ideologies/religions, all of which have something to offer. But when they come across Jesus, then they are willing to give up all to be his disciple. Do you know of anyone (perhaps yourself) who came to faith in this way?
Justin lived in the early second century, a brilliant scholar who had studied all the philosophical ideas of his day, yet remained unconvinced and unsatisfied. One day he met an old man who told him about Jesus. He started reading the Scriptures and as a result discovered the joy of knowing Jesus as his Saviour. At long last he had found the pearl of great value! His life ended in martyrdom, but his faith stood secure.
“The message of these twin parables is clear. People find the kingdom in many ways. Some come upon it by accident, some after a long and patient search. But it is immensely worthwhile, however we come on it. It is treasure. It is a beautiful pearl. It is worth any sacrifice.” (Michael Green) Is this your testimony?
Tom Wright, in his commentary on these verses, makes the point that the coming of Jesus began the process of final judgement. As he taught and lived the kingdom of God, the world was divided – those who were swept off their feet and followed Jesus – and those who resisted and rejected his message. And this process continues to this day, and will do so until Jesus returns to remake the whole world in justice and truth. And then comes judgment against those who have resisted and rejected the gospel message. Is this how we understand the gospel message today? Or have we “gone soft” on the notion of God’s judgement?
I am aware that there are not too many questions this week. Hopefully quite a number will be willing to share something of their faith journey and this should be an encouragement to everyone who tells a story – and to the rest who hear the story.
The “big question” with these parables is all about what we are prepared to give up for the kingdom of God. For many of us life is rather comfortable and we have been greatly blessed in life – so what sacrifices have we made? Hopefully members of the group will feel comfortable enough to be open and honest about this sensitive issue, knowing that what is said in the group remains totally confidential.
PRAYER
You might like to us the following prayer to begin with, and allow everyone just a few moments to reflect on the words, and on what has been said during the evening.
You can then open up to a time of prayer for those issues which are on people’s hearts and minds at the present time.
The Bright Field
I have seen the sun break through
to illuminate a small field
for a while, and gone my way
and forgotten it. But that was the pearl
of great price, the one field that had
treasure in it. I realise now
that I must give all I have
to possess it. Life is not hurrying
on to a receding future, nor hankering after
an imagined past. It is the turning
aside like Moses to the miracle
of the lit bush, to a brightness
that seemed as transitory as your youth
once, but is the eternity that awaits you.
(R S Thomas)