The Strand Study Bible

MATTHEW MATTHEW 11) she was removed from her momentary prominence, as the Jewish/Gentile Church took her place (Mt 22:1-10 and I Cor 12:12-14). Gentile believers need to learn to appreciate the Savior’s kindness, allowing them to join the Jews in order that they might work together for God ( Eph 3:3-6 and Rom 16:25 a ). Parable #11 is aimed (for the most part) at Gentile believers who take for granted the SAVIOR’S kindness in forming the Church . The character flaw – assuming the Church is superior to Israel . It is not ( Rom 11:11 - 16 -25). Again, it is not what we do for God that impresses God, but our appreciation for what Christ did for us (Phil 2:5-9). The following poem is dedicated to believers everywhere: A pearl is an alien object that starts out as a grain of sand It minds its own business on the ocean floor until it settles in an unwelcome land Because it is a foreign object and it lives in a world not its own it irritates its “oystery” owner and is smothered with a nacreous foam A silvery lustrous substance the pearl is not welcomed in there but until it is dived for and discovered 1517

it remains a prisoner unaware It remains a captive to its owner until someone discovers its worth That someone will then risk life and limb to release it from its tormenter’s turf Thus the pearl can never feel at home till that someone dives down from above and risks life and limb to rescue it and to bring it back up where it’s loved M an is a stranger to this world; he becomes one the day he gets saved and like a jewel that has yet to be discovered he is ignored by the sea (humanity) and its waves But the ONE who discovers him is watching; HE is waiting for the right time to dive And when HE sees his moment to do it HE dives in and grabs him; then dies Three days later HE arises to the surface and HE knows what HE has in his hand It’s man; a gem forever now in the hand of the MERCHANT MAN

13:47 God offers men a net (the Gospel of Christ). Those who do not appreciate God’s way of “catching” themwill find themselves discarded and placed into a burn pile (Hell), where there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Mt 8:12 & 13:50 & 22:13 & 24:51 & 25:30 and Lk 13:28). The Gospel narrative runs from Genesis ( Gen 3:15 a ) through Revelation (Rev 14:6), as well as throughout history. It’s not just a net to capture one’s attention, but a “plan” to capture one’s soul. Parable #12 is aimed at believers who fail to see that not everything the Gospel net attracts is good . The character flaw – assuming all who seem responsive to the Gospel are genuinely converted . They are not (Jn 13:21-30 and II Cor 11:26). 13:52 Once the disciples indicated their comprehension of the parables, Jesus then compared their status as informed scribes to that of a householder (an efficient head of a household) who has the wherewithal to pull out old and new treasures (truths).