👑 Matthew 13:44 | Going All In

together with

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Today’s email is brought to you by Compassion International. They’re an incredible ministry that’s sharing free resources to help you obey one of Christ’s most well-known teachings!

There’s more on this below, but if you can’t wait, you can check out the free resources here.

God has once again brought us to the halfway point of the week. If you missed earlier emails this week, you can read them here: Monday and Tuesday.

In today’s email…

• 🗣️ Four Greek words that unlock this parable

• 🪙 What I told my friend about losing money with a new job

• 📚️ A deeper lens on Jesus’ Kingdom language

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MEMORIZE 🧠 

The kingdom __ ______ __ like ________ ______ __  field, which a man _____ ___

covered up.

Then in his ___ he ____ ___ sells all that __ ___ ___ ____ that field.

Matthew 13:44

TOGETHER WITH COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

What does it mean to live Unto Jesus?

If you’re like me, you tend to overcomplicate things - especially when it comes to living out your faith.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to “change the world” for someone in a single, grand gesture of extravagant love.

Thankfully, Compassion International has been helping me discover new ways to live Unto Jesus right where I am. They compiled real, raw stories of people sharing how they live out their faith in everyday life.

Check them out here and I guarantee you’ll be inspired to show the love of Jesus this week!

CONTEXT 📕 

We’ve seen that Jesus’ Kingdom is like treasure — hidden, surprising, and worth everything.

But the original Greek text adds even more meaning beneath the surface. Let’s scratch away at it to see what we uncover (I promise, the puns are almost over):

1. “Kingdom” (basileía, pronounced bah-sil-AY-ah)

This word doesn’t just refer to a physical place with a throne, jester, and guys wearing suits of armor. It means reign, rule, or authority.

When Jesus says "the Kingdom of heaven," he’s talking about the reign of God — where His will is done, His presence dwells, and His people flourish.

It’s not just where you go. It’s what governs your life. Which bears the question: does the reign of God in your life determine your decisions?

2. “Treasure” (thēsaurós, pronounced thay-sah-ROSE)

This is the same root for our English word thesaurus — a storehouse of valuable words. In Greek, it refers to a precious deposit, a rich and valuable object hidden for safekeeping.

Jesus is telling us the Kingdom isn’t merely useful — it’s priceless. A dime in a dozen. A rare find and unlike anything else you’ve seen.

It’s not a life improvement tool. It’s the one thing worth giving everything for.

Which got me thinking, do I really treat the Kingdom like a treasure or just another knick-knack on my shelf?

3. “Joy” (chará, pronounced khah-RAH)

You’ve likely heard a thousand times over the difference between joy and happiness. Well, it’s worth hearing it again.

Because this word captures more than happiness. It’s a deep, abiding delight.

It’s used throughout the New Testament to describe what happens when someone receives the gospel (Acts 8:8), sees a miracle (Luke 13:17), or recognizes the risen Christ (Matthew 28:8).

Here’s what matters: The man didn’t sell everything out of guilt. He did it out of joy.

4. “Sells” (pōléō, pronounced po-LAY-oh)

This is a strong transactional word. It means to exchange, surrender, or transfer ownership. The man in the story isn’t dabbling in the Kingdom.

He’s all in.

It’s a total transfer. His old life for this new one.

Can you honestly say you’ve gone ALL IN for the Kingdom? What’s something you’re still holding close to the chest?

APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃‍♂️ 

I was talking to a friend this week about a moment when he had to walk away from a business opportunity. One that could’ve paid well but didn’t sit right with his values.

Spending time with this verse gave me the perfect thing to say to a fellow follower of Jesus:

“Think of the field, dude. Sometimes we have to let go of what seems good for us in order to live in and for the Kingdom.”

Life and Scripture don’t always fall in sync in the same week like this, but when they do I happily jump on the opportunity.

Is this parable teaching you something about what’s happening in your life right now?

If so, reply and share it with us.

Sometimes all it takes is stopping to think for 30 seconds to realize God is speaking into your current situation.

Let us know what he’s teaching you!

Pray 🙏
Jesus, you are the true treasure. I confess that I often chase lesser things. I repent of that. Help me surrender what’s temporary so I can hold what’s eternal. Fill me with joy — not guilt — as I walk in your Kingdom today. Amen.

RESOURCES 📚️ 

Here are a few resources to help you dig deeper into the verse and its themes:

• 📚️ The Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice (link)

• 📚️ Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told by John MacArthur (link)

• 📚 Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew | The NIV Application Commentary (link)

• 📚 R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew | The New International Commentary on the New Testament (link)

• 🎥 Bible Project Matthew overview videos (Matthew 1-13 | Matthew 14-28)

• 🎥 Matthew 13 Spoken Word Devotional (link)

• 🎵 Leave Behind by Wondersigns (Spotify | Apple | Malachi Daily Playlist)

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• The Identity Secret: Why willpower doesn’t work (and what God's Word offers instead)

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• Make Your Thoughts Obedient to Christ: How to replace lies and negative thoughts with the truth

• Practical Application Worksheet: The exact worksheet I used (and still use) to change my thinking and change my life.

If you’ve been a Christian for a long time but still feel like your mind is a battlefield, this course is for you.

ANSWER KEY ✅ 

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.

Matthew 13:44