Session 15: CHRISTMAS
1 December 2020
Matthew 13:44-46 (ESV)
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 “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.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
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.
Matthew 13:44-46
What struck me were a few ideas:
1) the kingdom of God is hidden and something we need to seek and look for. Like an oyster which is closed, we may not be able to easily see it from the outside and discern its shape when it is growing on a rock.
2) it is priceless treasure that is worth giving up everything you own to possess it. It will cost you everything.
3) we don’t count the cost as sacrifice as the exchange is for something of much greater value. Our response is joy.
Painting here is of an oyster, showing how the pearl is hidden and must be discovered. It also shows the oyster as a heart instead, representing that we hold the treasure in our hearts.
Matthew 13 Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
Matthew 13:44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
Matthew 13:45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.
Matthew 13:46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
Matthew 13:44-46
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 “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.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
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.
Question from the organizer:
Has there ever been an unexpected place in which you found the Kingdom of Heaven?
from the commentary:
‘The point is not that the man purchased a place in the kingdom of heaven, but rather that entering the kingdom is worth giving up everything.’
(Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Mt 13:46). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.)
描くにあたって主催者からの質問は：
思いがけない場所で天国を見つけたことはありますか？
聖書箇所の解説から：
「この譬え話の要点は、人が金銭で天国の場所を購入したということではなく、天国に入ることはすべてをあきらめるほどの価値があるということです。」
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今日描いたのは、緩和ケアの分野の病院で出会った女性です。
私は以前、緩和ケアを支援するためにキリスト教系の国立病院でボランティアの患者さんを訪問していました。 私の役割は、死にゆく患者さんに福音を伝えることでした。
私の役割は、死にゆく患者さんに福音を伝えることでした。
彼女はそこにいて、数週間で死ぬのを待っていた方です。
彼女の顔には大きな癌の塊がぶら下がって、それは血を噴き出していました。
しかし、彼女はとても幸せで平和でした。
いつも笑顔をたたえて歓迎してくれて、一緒に讃美歌を歌いました。
癒されたのは私です。
彼女の魂の中に、私は神の国を見つけました。
女性は真珠貝の中の真珠です。
彼女は見た目、美しさ、仕事、愛、そして人生（彼女は彼女の死に直面していました）を含む多くのものを失いました。
しかし、彼女はイエスと彼からの真の平和を心の中に得ていました。
私の目には、彼女は確かに「神の国」にいました。
What I drew today is the lady whom I met in the hospital in the palliative care field.
I used to volunteer by visitation to the Christian hospital to help the palliative care ward’s patients.
My role was sharing the gospel to dying patients.
She was there and waited for her death which was coming in a few weeks.
Something on her face is cancer with blood.
However, she was so happy and was in peace.
In her soul, I found the kingdom of God.
The lady is a pearl in the oyster.
She lost many things, including her beauty, job, love and …. life – she was facing her death.
But she had Jesus and genuine peace from Him.
She was indeed ‘the kingdom of God’ in my eyes.
Matthew 13:44-46
I went birding the other day and forgot until I was returning to my car, that I had my binoculars with me
. There was a red tailed hawk roosting in a tree, but I could only see its silhouette from the distance.A common theme from these past few months has been to “behold” or “see” or “look”. So looking for and searching for the treasure (which may seem to be in the distance) in itself is a kingdomward act. Where justice, hope, rescue and life are, we find the kingdom, and where the kingdom is, we find justice, hope, rescue, life… and peace.
The words are on placards like many used during the demonstrations and protests that have been happening in the USA, not too far from where I live.
The dove/bird is there because there has been a lot of encouragement for me and for others to look and consider the birds (and with that joy and thanksgiving and provision and hope)