http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-locked-box-rimagefree1277178-resi3536881

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

³¹He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; ³²it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

³³He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

⁴⁴“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

⁴⁵“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

⁴⁷“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;⁴⁸when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. ⁴⁹So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous ⁵⁰and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” ⁵²And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

• Light a candle remembering Christ’s presence with you.
• Spend 5 to 15 minutes in silent meditation using your deep breathing to guide you.
• Choose the parable of new treasure that is most striking to you today.
• What new treasure do you notice in that parable?
• Notice why you are drawn to that new treasure.
• Is there something happening in your life that is like that new treasure?
• Do you have old treasure that you need to let go?
• Is God asking you to give up one thing so that God can give you something new?
• Notice any tension between old and new.
• What treasure is being used for the kingdom of heaven?
• Give thanks to God for the treasures you have found and remembered today.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.