Matthew 13:44-58
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
Reflection
While many reject the good news about Jesus, others devote their lives to it with joy and hold nothing back because they see Jesus for the precious treasure that he is (Matt. 13:44, 46). If we find ourselves straying from Christ and his words it is because we have lost sight of his great value. The remedy to this is to actively place our focus on him again so that we can be freshly reminded of the preciousness of his grace and mercy to us. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus by regularly reading and thinking about God’s Word, praying to him, and spending time with his people.
Romans 11:25-32
25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,“The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Reflection
Paul now explains the big picture. The gospel’s rejection (by most Jews) and acceptance (by many Gentiles) is part of a bigger story line that God will unfold throughout history. Jewish “hardening” is only partial. It will one day cease (Rom. 11:25). Someday, “all Israel will be saved” (vv. 26–27). This may refer to the day when God has finally brought about the salvation of all “Israel” in the spiritual sense (see 2:29; 9:6), or it may refer to the eventual conversion of large numbers of Jews to Christianity.
In the end, God will display his judgment and mercy to both Gentiles and Jews (11:30–32). The bottom line is that God desires to “have mercy on all” (both Jews and Gentiles). Mercy is his heart (cf. Matt. 11:28–30); it is who he is.
Psalm 145:8-9
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
The gospel has shown us that God loves mercy and is eager to show it to any who look to him with humble faith. Take your unbelieving friends to God in prayer, and ask him to change their hearts so that they might know the wonders of Christ’s mercy.