DailyPBJ Devotionals

Matthew 13

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Read Matthew 13.

This chapter contains several important parables about the kingdom of God. One sub-theme that recurs in this chapter is the truth that mundane things of life often crowd out what is really important:

  • In the parable of the soils, one of the people who heard the gospel did not receive it because "the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful" (v. 22).
  • In the parable of the hidden treasure, the man who found it had to sell "all that he had" to buy the field (v. 44). He was willing to do that; however, there are some people who would not do it because it is too much trouble to sell your stuff. Or, they thought, what if the owner of the field refused to sell it?
  • Likewise, in the parable of the pearl (v. 45), the merchant had to sell everything to buy the pearl. I wonder what his wife and children thought when they saw the pearl after he sold their house, their clothes and toys? THIS is what we became homeless and poor for? What are going to eat tonight?
  • Finally, in the story at the end, which was not a parable, the people who lived in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, couldn't believe in him despite his "wisdom and these miraculous powers" (v. 54). Why not? Because they knew his family and there was nothing remarkable about them.

    • One human reason why people don't come to Christ is that they are too preoccupied with the stuff of life--making a living, advancing in their career, raising children or dealing with a difficult marriage, getting infatuated with a hobby, or doing recreational activities.

    But these things tempt those of us who are believers, too. Giving to God's work might seem less worthwhile when you want a new car or need a new refrigerator. Reading scripture seems less interesting than watching television and texting a friend is more gratifying, in the moment, than praying does.

    When you make time for human things but have no time to cultivate your spiritual life, you're like the person who decided to go to the movies instead of selling everything to buy that field with the buried treasure in it. You're trading valuable things for things that are worthless.

    Where in your life do you need your priorities realigned? What worthless things (or things that are just worth less) are you filling your life up with instead of living for God's pleasure?

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    DailyPBJ DevotionalsBy DailyPBJ