☁️ Matthew 13:45-46 | "...the kingdom of heaven is like..."

Happy Monday, everyone!

This week, we’re memorizing our first parable of Jesus, found in Matthew 13:45-46!

In today’s email…

• 📜 Background on the Gospel of Matthew

• 🙏 A prayer to prepare your heart this week

• 🎵 A song to help you reflect on Matthew 13:45-46

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MEMORIZE 🧠 

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

CONTEXT 📕 

Author: The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to…Matthew, also known as Levi, a former tax collector who became one of Jesus’ twelve disciples (Matthew 9:9).

Date: Scholars estimate that this book was written sometime between AD 50-70, probably before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70.

Audience: Matthew primarily wrote to a Jewish audience, emphasizing Jesus as the promised Messiah and King from David’s line.

Matthew’s Gospel is distinctly Jewish:

• His Gospel contains more references to the Old Testament than any other, showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish expectations for the Messiah.

• Unlike Luke, which highlights Jesus’ outreach to Gentiles, Matthew focuses on Jesus’ role as the true King of Israel, but with a mission that ultimately extends to the whole world (Matthew 28:19-20).

Purpose

• To present Jesus as the long-awaited Messianic King who brings the kingdom of heaven to earth.

• To emphasize Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, establishing His divine authority.

• To teach what it truly means to follow Jesus, with a focus on discipleship, obedience, and the nature of the kingdom of heaven.

APPLY AND RESPOND 🏃‍♂️ 

Imagine for a second.

You’re a first-century Jewish listener, waiting for God to send the Messiah.

You’ve heard whispers about this strange rabbi from Nazareth, but now when you hear him speak, he speaks in parables instead of political plans.

Would you recognize the treasure Jesus is offering or would you walk away searching for something else?

Read: Take time today to read all of Matthew 13 and reflect on the parables of the kingdom.

Pray:

Lord, open my eyes to the true worth of Your kingdom. Help me let go of anything that keeps me from fully following You. Give me the joy and courage to pursue what truly matters. Amen. 🙏 

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SONG OF THE WEEK 🎵 

Here are two songs to help you meditate on the parable of the pearl of great price this week:

• Pearl of Great Price by Bethany Music (Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube)

• Pearl of Great Price by Sarahbeth Smith and Justus Tams (Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube)

Want all the songs we share in one place? We created a community playlist on Spotify!

Now, you can continue to listen to all of the songs we use to help us memorize and meditate on Scripture - all in one place! Check it out below!

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