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31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” 33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” 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. 47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When 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. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 NIV Bible)
We recently bought a spice rack. Yes, forty-five years into our marriage and we have a spinning spice rack. We' used to just place them in the kitchen cabinets, but seeing one of a cooking show, Reverend here thought it would be good to order one and I did. I didn't factor in that such a spice rack would have those spices that a Mexican household would need and use. In our discussion the mustard seed came up. Yes, it is a spice and it is used when making something dill, like pickles. But in Jesus' time it was used to plant and grow as a garden plant. The point Jesus was making however was that as the smallest of seeds, if planted, grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree where bird could come and rest on it. How does that apply to our faith, if we use our faith like God intended, great things can come of it and we can bless all kinds of people. Jesus is reassuring us to have faith and use our faith no matter how little we think we have.
Jesus then talks about yeast, and I must admit that yeast was mostly unknown in my growing up. I know it is a powerful element in baking, and precisely Jesus says that yeast worked its way through sixty pounds of flour, transforming it into yummy bread. In the same way, our words, actions, service could work its way through needy lives and transform them into better people.
Jesus speaks of a treasure hidden in a field. As a boy who played a lot on fields, empty lots, a city block overrun by trees and weeds we called "the woods," part of our fun was thinking that surely in one of them there would be a treasure of some sort; we just had to find it. It really didn't matter if it was gold, or silver, just the thought of making such a dramatic discovery that might change our lives! What Jesus is saying was true for me and my life. Once I found Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I learned that God loved me that was the treasure I really needed. This treasure prepared the path as the Lord opened the doors. Strength and calm for a major upheaval from Kingsville to Houston; peace and the pace for new schools; the graduation from high school, and a work-study scholarship at Lon Morris College; a major scholarship to finish my undergraduate degree at Southwestern University, and on to seminary, marriage, children, ministry, grandchildren, and now retirement and ministry-in-retirement, i.e., preaching at various churches, ConCafe, et al. God is good!
Jesus then speaks of a merchant who went in search of pearls; when he finds one so precious he sells all he has to buy it. Again, the pearl of the knowledge of God's saving grace which is available to all and is free to us because Jesus paid the price. Jesus also talks about net dropped into a lake and caught all kinds of fish when full was pulled up to the shore. The fishers sat down and separated the good fish from the bad ones and this, said Jesus, is how it will be at the end of time; the angels of God will separate the righteous people from the wicked, who will be thrown into a furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus asks the disciples if they understood how the kingdom of God is like, to which the disciples answer yes. The question is if we understood this, for Jesus ends with saying that every teacher of the law who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven, will also bring out of their storeroom new and old treasurers.
Friends, thorugh Jesus we have the keys to the Kingdom. Please take one and change your life forever.
PRAYER: Loving God, wow, so much for us because of Your love; help us help other take one of the keys to the kingdom so they won't be left behind or left out; grand us boldness and wisdom to do Thy will; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Bless someone by telling them of the keys to the kingdom!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
