Matthew 13:44 - Page 5

Hoovie · #41 05-22-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shag

I'm still kinda wondering if it is possible to have more than one interpretation to a parable.

Since in Matt. 13:18, Jesus gave only one interpretation of the parable of the sower.

And in Matt. 13:37, he gave only one interpretation to the parable of the tares of the field.

I don't recall ever reading a parable that Jesus told in which he explained that one particular parable to have multiple meanings.

Is it possible for there to be more than one interpretation, or in other words to mean more than one "picture" that the master is trying to paint.

If in this parable, the disciples would have said, "Lord, tell us the meaning of the parable of the hidden treasure",

Would Jesus have said "Which interpretation do you want to hear?"

Or would he have said, "Theres 2 (or more) interpretations (or meanings), here they are.

It looks to me like that would be extremely confusing to the disciples that were listening to the parable trying to figure out its meaning.

Shag, I would not (and did not intend to) argue that these parables have dual interpretations.

As I mentioned in post #14:

"the third poll option was given for those who would say both interpretations can be possible or could be reconciled with all of scripture, not so much that the original intent was twofold."

I would have changed the wording slightly in the third option if people had not already been voting.

I am saying that either view could be synchronized with the whole of scripture.

Of course as you mentioned limits would need to be placed on the analogies - we cannot pay for our own salvation.

But I think the analogy breaks down in the other view as well. That we were so "valuable" to God that he gave His life does not ring true to me.

I would say it speaks to the greatness of His love towards us that He was willing to give His life for such a worm as I. Any and all my "value" comes from cross of Christ.

Hoovie · #42 05-22-2008, 09:53 PM

Also, even though the disciples, when asked by Jesus, said they understood the meaning of the parables, it appears highly doubtful they actually did.

Given both views explicity implicate the soon coming event of the cross, I find it hard to believe they had a full grasp of Christ as a "lamb led to slaughter" and all it would mean in their near future.

shag · #43 05-23-2008, 06:59 AM

I understand, now (thick headed), what you meant by option 3, either of the 1st two options could be the (one and only) correct interpretation. Not, that both could both be the correct interpretations at the same time.

I agree that it is thru the accepting of "the work of the cross", and allowing him to "govern" our lives, that we become a "treasure"(of value) to the Lord.

I agree that the disciples probably did not 100% completely understand the coming cross to Christ, and all that went with it.

Yet, the previous parable, Jesus told them the parable concerning the "end of the world" with the angels separating the tares and wheat.

I'm sure they didn't undertand that one 100% either, after all, they went back and asked him to explain it to them. (and that explanation is/was atleast 2 thousand years past the cross)

I think it could be of worthy note that this parable had taken place 2 chapters after Jesus had mentioned "as Noah was in the belly of the whale 3 days, so shall the son...., speaking of the cross. So he had already been trying to "paint them a futuristic picture", whether they were "completely grasping" it or not. (I'm not sure if I had mentioned that previously)

Hoovie · #44 05-23-2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shag

I agree that it is thru the accepting of "the work of the cross", and allowing him to "govern" our lives, that we become a "treasure"(of value) to the Lord.

)

But then is that not problematic?

Did the purchaser bring great value to the treasure, or did he simply come upon it and recognize it's great value?

I don't read it as the treasure having great potential.

shag · #45 05-23-2008, 07:55 AM

I don't see it as the purchaser "bringing" great value to the treasure.
I see "the stumbling on to the treasure", possibly as God seeing that "He found a "chosen people"(samaritans & gentiles), that could be "engrafted in" thru what he (thru manifesting as the Son) would do on the cross(as a purchase), because "the apples of his eyes-the jews", just couldn't get it right.
That could be the wrong interpretation. But I sure wanna get to the bottom of this mystery!

How could the "field" be the earth, if the sinners were purchasing Jesus/ salvation. In other words, why would sinners purchase the earth to get Jesus?

Also, I love the fact that most this latter discussion centers around "the cross". I feel that some times "we pentecostals" are guilty of going straight to Acts 2:38, without 1 st making sure the story of the cross has been given. The message of Acts 2:38 always, in my opinion, came only after the preaching of the cross, and should not be preached without the cross 1st being preached and understood.

bkstokes · #46 05-23-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

In my opinion:
"the field is the world" (Matthew 13:38)
the treasure is the kingdom.
Jesus is the purchaser.
Jesus purchases the whole world (His death is enough for all humanity).
the kingdom is "in the world" but separate from the world, and actually hidden (not revealed) to the world.

amen

Hoovie · #47 05-23-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shag

could be the wrong interpretation. But I sure wanna get to the bottom of this mystery!

How could the "field" be the earth, if the sinners were purchasing Jesus/ salvation. In other words, why would sinners purchase the earth to get Jesus?

.

Not just earth - but specifically the Kingdom of God in the Earth.

This from my response given in post #40

"I said the the field could be the "earth - containing the Kingdom of God", or the Kingdom of God on Earth. (I am distinguishing here from the Kingdom "in heaven".)
...Why do sinners buy into the Kingdom of God? They certainly would not do so because they desire persecution, or desire to be hated of all men... They will only truely buy into the kingdom when they have discovered the treasure of Jesus Christ. It is then that they gladly forsake all other ambition in pursuit of the field containing the treasure."

Sinners must count the cost of being born again. Very often the cost is contemplated and wrestled with prior to a full surrender to God.
Forsaking all else and following Christ wherever He leads, can be a very costly thing - but it is a price many willingly pay to gain access to the Saviour and salvation He brings.

Hoovie · #48 05-23-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shag

I agree that it is thru the accepting of "the work of the cross", and allowing him to "govern" our lives, that we become a "treasure"(of value) to the Lord.

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by shag

I don't see it as the purchaser "bringing" great value to the treasure.
I see "the stumbling on to the treasure", possibly as God seeing that "He found a "chosen people"(samaritans & gentiles), that could be "engrafted in" thru what he (thru manifesting as the Son) would do on the cross(as a purchase), because "the apples of his eyes-the jews", just couldn't get it right.
.

From these posts I would conclude you see the treasure somewhat prophetic in that there is potential for great value - sort of a latent treasure. The value only exists, then, in that they are redeemable at the time of purchace - and not that they had/have real value at the time of "discovery of the field".

I voted either could be true (third option) because it works for my mom. She always forcasts the coming winter as having alot of snow (severe winter) AND also in almost the same breath... "you know this could possibly be an extremely MILD winter!" That sounds conflicting enough, but then come the "SEE I TOLD YOU SO!" declarations.

Amen to the emphasis being centered first and formost on the cross of Christ. Without that, we truely have no value at all and Acts 2:38 is nothing.

PEACE

shag · #49 05-23-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

In my opinion:
"the field is the world" (Matthew 13:38)
the treasure is the kingdom.
Jesus is the purchaser.
Jesus purchases the whole world (His death is enough for all humanity).
the kingdom is "in the world" but separate from the world, and actually hidden (not revealed) to the world.

Agreed.

Hoovie · #50 07-24-2011, 09:55 PM

Enjoyed the sermon this morning from Matthew 13.

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.

I had heard it preached that we sell all we have to receive/buy salvation, and most recently heard it preached the not only was the treasure (Salvation) worth getting but the whole field was needed (all the bells and whistles.)

But this morning I heard it preached that we are the treasure in the field, and we are the pearl of great value. Christ literally gave his all to purchase us!
Some question what would give us such value? The answer is the purchaser - the one who was willing to pay the price.

I find it comforting to know I won't come up short. I offer nothing. Jesus paid it all!