Sharper Iron — All Righteousness Fulfilled: Jesus Gave All for You

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Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 13:44-58.

With two short parables, Jesus comforts His disciples that He has given His own life in order to purchase them to be His own treasured possession. Though the discipleship reading of these parables is true from the perspective of Biblical theology, reading these parables Christocentrically fits better with the context of Matthew 13. Parables of the kingdom of heaven include a central figure who is either God or Christ. So it is in the parables of the hidden treasures and pearl of great value. Jesus is the One who finds, goes, sells, and buys. His treasure is you, the sinner. You are His treasure, not because of your merit or worthiness, but because of His love for you. In the face of rejection and confusion, this comforts Jesus’ disciples then and now. Jesus concludes this discourse with the parable of the net, a fitting summary that recalls for His disciples their calling to be fishers of men. As they go on to Nazareth, Jesus is met by further rejection. The people of His hometown see Him only with human eyes through the lens of His earthly family. Because they have not heard His Word in faith, His mighty works are to no avail among them. This negative example of the town of Nazareth is a reminder of the importance of seeing Jesus with the eyes of faith.

“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Matthew 13:44-58

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

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.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

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.

The Parable of the Net

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 end 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.

New and Old Treasures

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.”

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

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.