💥 Matthew 13:44 | The Explosive Parable

together with

Happy Monday, everyone!

We’re excited to share that today’s email is brought to you by Compassion International. They’re an incredible ministry that created a suite of 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.

This week, we’re diving into a single verse. A one sentence parable from Jesus.

Like buried treasure, let’s get digging.

In today’s email…

• 📕 A hidden gem in the Gospel of Matthew

• 🔍 Why this treasure is worth your everything

• 🎵 A song to help you memorize Matthew 13:44

✉️ subscribe here | support our work 👐 

MEMORIZE 🧠 

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

TOGETHER WITH COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

What does it look like to live Unto Jesus today?

How do you live a life of compassion in a world of troubling headlines and constant media noise? Compassion International is here to help.

They've put together a bunch of resources that will help you to live Unto Jesus today. It's a direct response to Christ's call in Matthew 25:40 to show love and compassion "to the least of these."

The free resources include:

• a daily devotion

• a podcast series with influential Christian voices, and

• access to a free daily planner to help you build acts of kindness into your daily schedule

CONTEXT 📕 

Let’s start with where we are.

The Gospel of Matthew is written by a Jewish tax collector turned follower of Jesus. He’s writing to show us that Jesus is the long-awaited King — not just for Israel, but for the world.

In Matthew 13, Jesus delivers a string of parables — short stories with deep spiritual meaning. And his topic is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Some parables are confusing. Some are direct.

But this one is explosive.

It’s just one sentence. But in that single breath, Jesus tells us what the Kingdom is worth — and what it might cost.

So why is this parable so explosive?

This chapter is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. By now, many have heard his words and seen his miracles. But they’re still not convinced.

Even his cousin John — the very man who baptized Jesus — begins to wonder: “Are you really the one?” (Matthew 11:3).

And the Pharisees (the religious teachers of the day) have gone from skeptical to hostile (Matthew 12:2).

So Jesus starts teaching in a new way: parables.

Why? Because something strange is happening.

Jesus is revealing a Kingdom that looks nothing like what people expected — and many are missing it.

So he uses stories about seeds, fields, pearls, and fish to illustrate a surprising truth:

The Kingdom of God is hidden.

• Hidden like a seed buried in soil.

• Hidden like treasure in a field.

• Hidden like a pearl among common shells.

And some people see it, while others don’t.

That’s key.

Jesus says the difference isn’t intellect. It’s not effort. It’s not religious background.

It’s grace.

The disciples aren’t better than anyone else. They’ve simply been given ears to hear. Eyes to see. And hearts to receive.

So that’s what we are also seeking as we continue learning this verse over the next couple days.

APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃‍♂️ 

Imagine stumbling upon something so valuable, so life-altering, you’d give up everything else just to have it.

That’s the image Jesus gives.

The kingdom isn’t a burden. It’s not a transaction.

It’s a treasure.

The man in the story doesn’t sell everything out of duty. He does it with joy.

Here's the twist: The Kingdom is free…but it still costs you everything.

So here’s the challenge for today:

• Ask: What’s something I’m clinging to that I wouldn’t let go of, even if it meant more of Jesus?

• Pray: Lord, give me the eyes to see your Kingdom as treasure. Make me willing to let go of anything that holds me back.

• Read: Matthew 13:44 in a few translations. Let the repetition sink it deeper.

SONG OF THE WEEK 🎵 

Here’s a song based on heart of Jesus’ words in Matthew 13:44. Will you leave it all behind to go after Jesus?

Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music | Full Malachi Daily Playlist

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