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.