🗣️ Matthew 13:45-46 | Tell a Story
PLUS: A recap of the week and how to share your faith...
Kieran Lenahan & Jake Doberenz
March 07, 2025
Happy Friday, everyone!
It’s time to really test how well you know this parable! Don’t worry, we left a few hints for you and we’ll cover the basics from the week to help jog your memory.
If you missed any of this week’s emails (especially yesterday’s), read them here: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
In today’s email…
💵 Reminders from the week
🗣️ Buyer’s remorse and how to share your faith
📚️ Resources to help you dig deeper
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MEMORIZE 🧠
Again, ___ _______ __ heaven __ ____ _ ________ __ ______ __ ____ ______,
who, __ _______ ___ _____ __ _____ _____, went ___ ____ ___ ____ __ ___ ___ ______ it.
Matthew 13:45-46
(Use our free web app to help you memorize in your favorite translation. Instructions to set it up are at the bottom of this email.)
CONTEXT 📕
We’ve learned quite a bit this week!
On Monday, we learned that Matthew wrote his Gospel to a Jewish audience to show that Jesus is the long-awaited Messianic King.
The kingdom of heaven is a central theme in his gospel.
On Tuesday, we explored Matthew 13 and its Kingdom Parables:
The Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price are twin parables, emphasizing the kingdom’s unmatched value.
The man in the first parable stumbles upon treasure. The merchant in the second is actively searching for it.
And both choose to let go of everything in order to grab hold of the one thing that was infinitely precious.
On Wednesday, we examined the meaning of the kingdom, and the more obvious way to read this parable.
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.
Jesus primarily used the phrase "kingdom of heaven" to refer to God’s rule and reign, not a physical place.
The merchant represents you and I. The pearl is the kingdom of God.
If we’re wise, we’ll be like the merchant, selling “all he had," in complete surrender and permanent allegiance to Jesus.
On Thursday, we looked at the less obvious reading of this parable.
Jesus is the merchant.
Humanity - You and I are the pearls.
Jesus came to earth in human form.
And when he found what was of infinite value to Him, he gave up everything to purchase us.
With his death on the cross, he paid the price for our sin and ransomed us from the power of death.
We are Jesus’ greatest treasure.
And he invites us to treasure Him and His kingdom above everything else.
APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃♂️
Jesus used parables to reveal deep truths about the kingdom of heaven.
Stories have a way of opening our eyes more than saying, “The kingdom of heaven is valuable.”
One of the best ways to share your faith is by telling a story from personal experience.
Instead of just explaining why a relationship with Jesus is valuable, tell a story that demonstrates it.
Challenge
Think about a moment in your life where:
Something changed: A burden lifted, fear disappeared, or clarity came
You experienced peace: During difficulty when it made no logical sense
You felt guided: A decision that seemed odd but proved right later
Relationships healed: Forgiveness or reconciliation beyond your ability
You had unexpected joy: In circumstances that should have been hopeless
Then, ask the Lord for an opportunity to share that story with a friend or stranger.
Pray
Jesus, help me tell your story in ways that lead others to see the kingdom’s worth. Give me boldness to speak and wisdom to illustrate your truth. Amen.
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RESOURCES 📚️
Here are a few resources to help you dig deeper into the verse and its themes:
📚️ Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus by Klyne Snodgrass (link)
📚️ How God Became King by N.T. Wright (link)
📚️ The Gospel of Matthew (NICNT) by F.T. France (link)
📚️ The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (link)
🎥 The Bible Project’s Video on The Parables of Jesus (link)
🎙️ Sermon: The Parable of the Pearl by Tim Keller (link)
💻️ Got Questions: Parable of the Hidden Treasure (link)
ANSWER KEY ✅
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:45-46
Best,
The Malachi Daily team 🙏
Today’s Contributors
Jake holds two degrees in Biblical Studies and has a passion for making Scripture accessible. He helps Christians avoid cultural distractions through his podcast and newsletter Smashing Idols.
Kieran is a husband and father living in NJ. In addition to Malachi Daily, he writes a personal newsletter about the intersection of faith, fatherhood and entrepreneurship.
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