Comments on: Parables of the Kingdom 1 - Pearl and Treasure http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/ Random wonderings about God and Life Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:02:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1706 rupert Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:35:00 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1706 Tom - great insight ... thanks. I had never thought of these parables in this way, but interestly someone else suggested the interpretation you are bringing on the sunday when we looked at it. I wonder if both are at work here. God gives everything for us, but we give everything for Him / the Kingdom? Does Jesus leave it deliberately ambiguious to incorporate both possibilities? Thanks for the comment. Tom - great insight … thanks. I had never thought of these parables in this way, but interestly someone else suggested the interpretation you are bringing on the sunday when we looked at it.

I wonder if both are at work here. God gives everything for us, but we give everything for Him / the Kingdom? Does Jesus leave it deliberately ambiguious to incorporate both possibilities?

Thanks for the comment.

]]> By: Mike Tonkins http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1564 Mike Tonkins Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:15:48 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1564 CLAN was sponsored by L'Oreal? :grin: CLAN was sponsored by L’Oreal? :grin:

]]> By: Tom http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1550 Tom Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:07:14 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1550 I believe it is primarily (maybe only) that we are the pearl of great value and God gave up everything for us. This then gives all the glory to God as it is Him to does it. As you found in the verse from Matthew Jesus came to serve not to be served. Just like it is that we love God because He first loved us. I think by looking more to the fact God did it rather than we do it helps keep the focus on Him and off us. Interesting at CLAN this year it was about the Cross and the kids were taught to say "because we are worth it" every time Cross was mentioned. Blessings, Tom I believe it is primarily (maybe only) that we are the pearl of great value and God gave up everything for us. This then gives all the glory to God as it is Him to does it. As you found in the verse from Matthew Jesus came to serve not to be served. Just like it is that we love God because He first loved us. I think by looking more to the fact God did it rather than we do it helps keep the focus on Him and off us.

Interesting at CLAN this year it was about the Cross and the kids were taught to say “because we are worth it” every time Cross was mentioned.

Blessings,

Tom

]]> By: Mike Tonkins http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1505 Mike Tonkins Sun, 15 Jul 2007 20:36:46 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1505 Yeah, I see what you're saying. It seems perfectly reciprocal, doesn't it? As God sacrificed all that he had for our salvation, so we must sacrifice all that we have to achieve that salvation. To add something to your comment, I came upon a passage today in which Matthew binds this sacrifice with service: "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28, NIV). Somethimes it seems as if we're working together with God, not for Him! Regards, Mike Tonkins Yeah, I see what you’re saying. It seems perfectly reciprocal, doesn’t it? As God sacrificed all that he had for our salvation, so we must sacrifice all that we have to achieve that salvation.

To add something to your comment, I came upon a passage today in which Matthew binds this sacrifice with service: “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:28, NIV).

Somethimes it seems as if we’re working together with God, not for Him!

Regards,
Mike Tonkins

]]> By: Tom http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1450 Tom Tue, 10 Jul 2007 08:01:27 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1450 I believe these parables speak of God and us. Who has paid the ultimate price, God. He gave up everything, i.e. His own Son, Jesus. In Roman's 8:32 it says since He didn't spare His own Son won't He give us everything else. I believe God is the merchant and we are the pearl of great value. The King lives in our heart, so the kingdom is in us and Jesus says that in Luke 17:16. When we realise how much God has given up for us then we respond. It's all about Him and what He has done for us. Blessings, Tom I believe these parables speak of God and us. Who has paid the ultimate price, God. He gave up everything, i.e. His own Son, Jesus. In Roman’s 8:32 it says since He didn’t spare His own Son won’t He give us everything else.

I believe God is the merchant and we are the pearl of great value.

The King lives in our heart, so the kingdom is in us and Jesus says that in Luke 17:16.

When we realise how much God has given up for us then we respond. It’s all about Him and what He has done for us.

Blessings,

Tom

]]> By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1446 rupert Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:49:35 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1446 <img src="http://www.cce.uk.net/ims/Rupert.jpg" alt="Rupert" WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=75 HSPACE=15 VSPACE=10 ALIGN=RIGHT /> <FONT color=blue> OK ... here are a one of my thoughts as i have reflected on this parable... In both parables, the man or the merchant see the the object of their desire, that is so valuable: the treasure or the pearl. But in both cases they left them to sell everything. They actually had to do the most challenging and sacrificial part when they could no longer see what is was they were sacrificing for. It has struck me that when people (or I) first become Christians we see the Kingdom so clearly. But we go through seasons in our lives when we can no longer see the treasure or the pearl ... it isn't wrong, in fact it is normal. But that is the time when we continue to sacrifice on faith, not on what we see... The temptation is however, to stop "selling everything" as we forget what is it all about... The contrast between the parables is very interesting. Anyone got any thoughts on that? </FONT> Rupert
OK … here are a one of my thoughts as i have reflected on this parable…

In both parables, the man or the merchant see the the object of their desire, that is so valuable: the treasure or the pearl. But in both cases they left them to sell everything. They actually had to do the most challenging and sacrificial part when they could no longer see what is was they were sacrificing for.

It has struck me that when people (or I) first become Christians we see the Kingdom so clearly. But we go through seasons in our lives when we can no longer see the treasure or the pearl … it isn’t wrong, in fact it is normal. But that is the time when we continue to sacrifice on faith, not on what we see… The temptation is however, to stop “selling everything” as we forget what is it all about…

The contrast between the parables is very interesting. Anyone got any thoughts on that?

]]> By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1445 rupert Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:36:59 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1445 <img src="http://www.cce.uk.net/ims/Rupert.jpg" alt="Rupert" WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=75 HSPACE=15 VSPACE=10 ALIGN=RIGHT /> <FONT color=blue> Great insight Chris - thanks! </FONT> Rupert
Great insight Chris - thanks!

]]> By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1444 rupert Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:36:33 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1444 <img src="http://www.cce.uk.net/ims/Rupert.jpg" alt="Rupert" WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=75 HSPACE=15 VSPACE=10 ALIGN=RIGHT /> <FONT color=blue> thanks for the conversations guys. Tanya, have you asked them why they seem to continually criticise you? Sometimes, it isn't our faith that people criticise, but it they struggle with the changes in our personality, the way we express our faith, they way they think we percieve them, or they think we are judging them etc ... If you were to say your friendship is important to you, and you were wondering why they seem to regularly criticise you, you may find out more of what is going on. What do you think? </FONT> Rupert
thanks for the conversations guys. Tanya, have you asked them why they seem to continually criticise you?
Sometimes, it isn’t our faith that people criticise, but it they struggle with the changes in our personality, the way we express our faith, they way they think we percieve them, or they think we are judging them etc …
If you were to say your friendship is important to you, and you were wondering why they seem to regularly criticise you, you may find out more of what is going on. What do you think?

]]> By: Tanya Heasley http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1435 Tanya Heasley Mon, 09 Jul 2007 08:02:13 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1435 The criticism only started when I became a Christian. Maybe they don't want to be friends with me anymore?! The criticism only started when I became a Christian. Maybe they don’t want to be friends with me anymore?!

]]> By: Alastair http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1430 Alastair Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:03:52 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1430 "They criticise anything I say or do" -- these are your friends?! “They criticise anything I say or do” — these are your friends?!

]]> By: Tanya Heasley http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1427 Tanya Heasley Sun, 08 Jul 2007 08:54:46 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1427 I know, thanks Tim. But I find it really hard to listen to them slag of God and I am under constant pressure to represent Jesus the right way. They criticise anything I say or do that they perceive to be wrong and comment on how God will treat me for it. They don't understand that I am forgiven, saved and have a place in Heaven and that I was born a sinner and will always sin because that's the nature of humans, but I do repent and ask Jesus to help me out. Then they look at me like I have two heads. It is tough and I will wait for the time that God softens their hearts to listen and accept the Good News. I know, thanks Tim.

But I find it really hard to listen to them slag of God and I am under constant pressure to represent Jesus the right way. They criticise anything I say or do that they perceive to be wrong and comment on how God will treat me for it.

They don’t understand that I am forgiven, saved and have a place in Heaven and that I was born a sinner and will always sin because that’s the nature of humans, but I do repent and ask Jesus to help me out.

Then they look at me like I have two heads. It is tough and I will wait for the time that God softens their hearts to listen and accept the Good News.

]]> By: Tim the Enchanter http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1425 Tim the Enchanter Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:46:36 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1425 Tanya.... please don't get rid of your 'non-Christian' friends! Influence THEM, with the love of Christ... but do it lovingly. Tanya…. please don’t get rid of your ‘non-Christian’ friends! Influence THEM, with the love of Christ… but do it lovingly.

]]> By: Alastair http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1420 Alastair Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:24:55 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1420 I never thought about that distinction before...thanks Chris! I never thought about that distinction before…thanks Chris!

]]> By: Pastor Chris http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1418 Pastor Chris Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:06:55 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1418 My take: The merchant was looking for the pearl. The farmer found it by accident. Two types of seekers in this world: those looking, and those who are found. In my own life, I'm the farmer -- I found the kingdom of God by 'accident." Pastor Chris <a href="http://www.evangelismcoach.org" rel="nofollow">EvangelismCoach.org</a> My take:

The merchant was looking for the pearl.
The farmer found it by accident.

Two types of seekers in this world: those looking, and those who are found.

In my own life, I’m the farmer — I found the kingdom of God by ‘accident.”

Pastor Chris
EvangelismCoach.org

]]> By: rupert http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1414 rupert Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:37:45 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1414 <img src="http://www.cce.uk.net/ims/Rupert.jpg" alt="Rupert" WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=75 HSPACE=15 VSPACE=10 ALIGN=RIGHT /> <FONT color=blue> Thanks Tanya ... I will post some of my reflections tomorrow... ... as I let this parable speak to me, i realise my affection for other things... So thanks for your reflections ... anyone else? </FONT> Rupert
Thanks Tanya … I will post some of my reflections tomorrow…
… as I let this parable speak to me, i realise my affection for other things…
So thanks for your reflections … anyone else?

]]> By: Tanya Heasley http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1404 Tanya Heasley Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:56:19 +0000 http://rupertward.cce.uk.net/2007/07/03/parables-of-the-kingdom-1-pearl-and-treasure/#comment-1404 Great question! When I feel out of control I tend to hold on to things and when I feel God's trust it is then when I can let things go. I'm not always in bondage, but when I allow myself to be, all my treasures on earth mean everything to me and I find it hard to get rid of them. It's very annoying. Also, I tend to keep hold of my non-Christian friends and allow them to influence me to accumilate even more stuff which can sometimes cause me to forget the greater Kingdom that's here for me. Sometimes I feel like getting rid of them from my life, but I don't think that's what Jesus would do. Great question! When I feel out of control I tend to hold on to things and when I feel God’s trust it is then when I can let things go.

I’m not always in bondage, but when I allow myself to be, all my treasures on earth mean everything to me and I find it hard to get rid of them. It’s very annoying.

Also, I tend to keep hold of my non-Christian friends and allow them to influence me to accumilate even more stuff which can sometimes cause me to forget the greater Kingdom that’s here for me.

Sometimes I feel like getting rid of them from my life, but I don’t think that’s what Jesus would do.

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