The powerful images presented easily capture your hearers’ imaginations, who may or may not already have assumptions about their meaning. This is fertile ground for your preaching.
Three parables in just a few short verses, this Sunday’s reading has a lot to offer. And unlike the previous two weeks, our Lord is not interpreting these parables, which makes your work even more crucial. The powerful images presented easily capture your hearers’ imaginations, who may or may not already have assumptions about their meaning. This is fertile ground for your preaching. You can either elaborate and confirm their thoughts or open them up to a far more engaging reading of this text.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value offer a valuable opportunity to challenge a common reading (or misreading?) of the text. Such a task in the craft of preaching can often create a situation in which your hearers are challenged anew by a familiar passage. It often happens that this is precisely when the Gospel can again shock and comfort the hearer. For a full discussion of this interpretive move, see Dr. Jeff Gibbs’ commentary on this section .[1]
The traditional reading of these texts is to interpret them as highlighting the cost of discipleship. No doubt your hearers will have heard many sermons along these lines. The main focus is to read the parables as stories which describe what a Christian does when he encounters the incredible gift God provides in Christ. The treasure found in the field and the pearl of great value are symbols of this gift. The hearers of these parables are encouraged, then, to sell everything to possess such a gift. Yet, this is precisely where such an interpretation runs into problems. No one wants to say disciples are able to purchase the Kingdom. The gift of Christ is not something we earn, no matter how much we sacrifice. So, at this point, the natural conclusion of the parables must be altered in some way.
A better option, one that accounts for the climax of each parable, is the Christological reading. To quote Gibbs:
“Both parables are specifically said to be what ‘the reign of Heaven is like.’ Both parables narrate in strongly parallel fashion the singular act of a lone figure. Both parables stand in a chapter in which the mysteries of the reign of Heaven are being revealed.” [2]
The one who sells all his possessions in order to buy the valued object represents the reign of Heaven in Jesus. In this reading, the valued object is the disciples themselves.
It is Christ alone who does what needs to be done to possess this church.
“Though we disciples may often feel buried under the challenges and dangers presented by our own sinful flesh, by the hostile world around us, and by the great enemy and father of lies, there need be no doubt that we belong to Jesus. We have been acquired. Christ has purchased us at the price of everything that He had.”[3]
A good tactic in preaching this text would be to first preach it in light of the traditional discipleship reading. It is a reading that leads to an impossible call to sell it all. Explore what the hearers refuse to sell, what their non-negotiables are, and what idols they will hold on to no matter what. And then introduce the Christological reading. Run back through the parables with Christ as the center and the hearers as the treasure He purchases.
This flow then sets you up perfectly to address the Parable of the Net. This parable looks forward to a time when all things will be made right. Again, it is a parable directed toward the disciples, the treasure purchased by the blood of Christ, and it contains the promise of a separation between the good and the bad. Your hearers are not to lose heart as they await the return of our Lord.
God bless your preaching!
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Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out 1517’s resources on Matthew 13:44-52.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching Matthew 13:44-52.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
The Pastor’s Workshop-Check out all the great preaching resources from our friends at the Pastor’s Workshop!
[1] Gibbs, Jeff. Matthew 11:2-20:34; Concordia Commentary. (Saint Louis: Concordia), 2010.
[2] Gibbs, 716.
[3] Gibbs, 721
