glorycloud's Diaryland Diary

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the Coming of the Messiah

"[44] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
[45] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
[46] Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
[47] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
[48] Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
[49] So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
[50] And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:44-50

Last Saturday the Christian lady who volunteers the Herrick Public Library used books store asked me if I understood these verses in the Gospel of Matthew, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and seeleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field" Matthew 13:44.

This morning while reading a book titled, "Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery" by G. K. Beale & Benjamin L. Gladd the above verses from Matthew chapter 13 were quoted. I will quote Beale-

"Returning to Matthew 13, the inclusion of two more parables-the hidden treasure and the costly pearl (Matt. 13:44-46)-demonstrate the immense worth or inauguration of the latter-day kingdom. This is again illustrated in the enigmatic saying found in Matthew 13:52: "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old." Here the kingdom is likened to a scribe or writer who furnishes "things new and old." Whatever the precise identification of all the details may be, the main thrust is that Jesus' teaching concerning the kingdom involves both "new" and "old" insights. In other words, his teaching stands in both continuity and discontinuity with the Old Testament (see also Lk 10:21-24). The continuity of Jesus' teaching is that the already-and-not-yet kingdom truly fulfills Old Testament latter-day prophecies concerning the kingdom (e.g., Gen 49; Num 24; Dan 2). The kingdom has come! On the other hand, the discontinuity refers to the inaugurated nature of the kingdom and its nonconsummative presence. Mysteriously, the arrival of the kingdom does not signal the complete destruction of Israel's enemies and the devil, as the Old Testament and Judaism appear to depict. Sin, wickedness and rebellion persist. whereas the expectations of God's kingdom affirmed that all sin and wickedness would be extinguished forever.

The kingdom has been inaugurated but remains to be consummately fulfilled. Scholars label this framework the "already-and-not-yet," and it is commonly referred to as "inaugurated eschatology". . ."pg. 70,71 G. K. Beale

I have in my main study many biblical commentaries. I got out a commentary on the Gospel of Matthew by Ben Witherington III to read his comments on Matt. 13:44. I will now quote Witherington III-

"The story envisions someone finding a treasure, reburying it, going out and selling all they had, and buying the field. Later rabbinic law was clear on this point. If you bought a field, you also bought the contents that were found in the field. You will notice that the man in question is not a thief. He leaves the treasure in the field until he can buy the field and the treasure becomes his. This parable means for us not only to sense the great worth of finding the Dominion but also the great joy involved in doing so. Possibly there is also a secondary theme about the Dominion's hiddenness, requiring a diligent search for it. When one finds the Dominion, all else seems valueless or at least of much less worth and so expendable if that is what it takes to get the treasure. No sacrifice is too great to obtain it." pg. 272 Ben Witherington III "Matthew" [Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary]

Also check out this commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew-

"The Gospel of Matthew" [The New International Greek Testament Commentary] by John Nolland

"The Gospel of Matthew" [The New International Commentary on the New Testament] by R. T. France

"Jesus And The Kingdom Of God" by G. R. Beasley-Murray

"[16] And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
[17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
[18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
[19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[20] The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
[22] But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
[23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
[25] When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
[26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
[28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
[29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
[30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." Matthew 19:16-30

12:15 p.m. - 2014-11-06

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