I.
This week we are still in Matthew 13 and still hearing about the Kingdom of Heaven/God.

We have four parables to consider. As you spend time with these stories from Jesus, consider what is common in each and what is different in each.

II.
Matthew 13:44-52 (NRSVue)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

III.
Do you find any commonness in the four?

Would you consider each to be speaking about “treasure”?

If you accept that, then how are the “treasures” similar and how are they different?

Which one holds your attention the most? Why is that?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}