The Berean – Matthew 13:44 KJV

  Matthew 13:44

(44) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
King James Version   Change your email Bible version

Jesus says that the treasure was hidden in the world. How were we, the church, hidden in the world? In the Parable of the Leaven, the word “hid” was used in a negative sense. Does “hid” have a similar negative connotation here in verse 44?

In the context of this parable, the symbols are almost all positive. First, the man as Christ is positive, but then the world appears, which may not seem all that positive. Yet, next comes “joy” and Christ’s self-sacrifice for the treasure. These positive things surround the word “hid.” It seems that “hid” is a little more positive than its usage in verse 33. How then is the church hidden in the world? We need to remember that it is hidden in the world before its members’ calling.

Notice in verse 44 that the man finds the treasure hidden in the world, and once he finds it, he hides it again. Ephesians 2:1-7 speaks of the less positive of the two hidings:

And you He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindnesstoward us in Christ Jesus.

Where were we hidden before? In the field, which is the world. How were we hidden? We were hidden because we were just like everybody else. We were dead in trespasses and sin, and we conducted ourselves “according to the prince of the power of the air.” We were hidden in plain sight because everybody else was just like us—but we have been found.

Once Christ found us, what did He do? He hid us again. What does this mean? How does Christ hide us after He finds us? John 17:11, 14-18 provides an answer:

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. . . . I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

How did Christ hide us? By sending us right back into the world! He does not glorify us immediately or put us on a pedestal, but simply returns us into the world. The world hides us, but in a different way after our calling than before it. Though we are no longer of the world, we still look like it. We have not changed much except internally, spiritually. So we go back into the world and live our daily lives, and people fail to recognize us for what we are unless some matter of the truth comes up, as Jesus says in John 17:17: “Sanctify them by Your truth.”

In layman’s terms this is, “Set them apart by Your truth.” The truth we live by—God’s truth in us—makes us different from everybody else. To look at us walking down the street, for the most part, we are hidden; we are average Joes. But if a matter of truth suddenly becomes important—say, an issue of the Sabbath comes up that puts us at odds with our boss or teacher—we immediate become different, set apart, separated from them. Of course, our lives should be showing that we are living by God’s way all the time, but for the most part, we are hidden from this world’s view by virtue of living among them.

The parable does not say that Christ finds us in the field and then hides us somewhere else. It says that He gives up everything He has to buy the field. Christ buys the world because that is where His treasure is—hidden in it but in a slightly different way than when He found it. We are no longer hidden in the world because we are livinglike the world and committing the sins of worldy people. Instead, we are hidden in the world because we are, frankly, just average people, and unless the truth comes up in the flow of our daily lives, we seem just like everybody else.

— Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Kohl’s

PETER HOVIS REWARDS ID: 83402905166

745392341473263

*Here are the details: If any merchandise featured above indicates “Coupons do not apply.*” the merchandise is not eligible for coupons. However, you are able to earn and redeem Kohl’s Cash® and Rewards on this product. Visit Kohls.com/exclusions or see associate for details. PRICES GOOD THROUGH June 20, 2021, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. Pricing, promotions and merchandise availability may vary by location and at Kohls.com. “Sale” prices and percentage savings offered are discounts from Kohl’s Regular (Reg.) or Original (Orig.) prices, and are valid on selected styles of merchandise unless otherwise indicated. The Reg. or Orig. price of an item is the former or future offered price for the item or a comparable item by Kohl’s or another retailer. Actual sales may not have been made at the Reg. or Orig. prices, and intermediate markdowns may have been taken. Orig. prices may not have been in effect during the past 90 days or in all trade areas. Merchandise could be offered at the same or lower “Sale” prices during future promotional events beginning on or after the last day of this advertised event. The following merchandise are excluded from “Entire Stock” promotions in this advertisement: Clearance, Kohl’s Cares® cause or other charitable items, Licensed Team, Curated by Kohl’s, Wellness Market and Kohl’s Online-Exclusive items. In some events, actual savings may exceed the percent savings shown. KOHL’S® and KOHL’S brand names are trademarks of KIN, Inc. ©2021 Kohl’s, Inc. 15% COUPON IS VALID ON PURCHASES June 17, 2021 through June 20, 2021 IN STORE AND ONLINE WITH ANY TENDER TYPE. Present coupon for in-store purchase or enter code at Kohls.com to receive discount. Limit one coupon per customer. DOLLAR-OFF COUPONS, INCLUDING KOHL’S CASH® COUPONS, REWARDS AND PROMOTIONAL GIFTS, WILL BE APPLIED PRIOR TO PERCENT-OFF TOTAL PURCHASE COUPONS. Coupon cannot be used in conjunction with other percent-off coupons, including age-specific discounts. Coupon not valid on the following categories and brands of merchandise: Gift Cards; Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise or other charitable items; select online-exclusives; premium athletic; beauty and fragrance; consumables; Curated by Kohl’s brands; select electrics; premium electronics; premium footwear; select personal care; select novelty gifts; sporting goods; sports team merchandise; premium sunglasses; toys; Wellness Market brands; Columbia; Dyson; select KitchenAid; Koolaburra by UGG; Lands’ End; Levi’s; Lovepop; ScentWorx; S’well; and TOMS. See complete list of exclusions at Kohls.com/exclusions or look for signs in store. Coupon also not valid on price adjustments on prior purchases; payment on a Kohl’s Card account; taxes, shipping and/or handling fees. Reproductions or duplicates not accepted. Coupon is nontransferable. See associate for details. EARN KOHL’S CASH® June 11, 2021 through June 20, 2021; REDEEMABLE IN STORE AND ONLINE June 21 through July 4, 2021. Kohl’s Cash® is not legal tender. No cash back. KOHL’S CASH® EARN: Customer will receive a $10 Kohl’s Cash® coupon for every $50 spent in a single transaction during the stated earn window. Kohl’s Cash® coupon is earned on the amount of customer merchandise purchases after all applicable coupons are applied and before tax is imposed. Qualifying customer purchases exclude the purchase of Gift Cards. KOHL’S CASH® REDEEM: Coupon can be redeemed during the stated redeem window with any other coupon. KOHL’S CASH® COUPONS AND OTHER DOLLAR-OFF COUPONS WILL BE APPLIED PRIOR TO PERCENT-OFF TOTAL PURCHASE COUPONS. Kohl’s Cash® coupon may not be redeemed (1) on purchases of Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise or other charitable items; (2) to purchase Gift Cards; (3) as price adjustments on prior purchases; (4) to reduce a Kohl’s Card or any third-party charge account balance; or (5) to pay for any services or fees, including taxes and shipping. IF MERCHANDISE PURCHASED EARNING A KOHL’S CASH® COUPON IS SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED OR PRICE ADJUSTED, THE VALUE OF THE KOHL’S CASH® COUPON PREVIOUSLY EARNED AND/OR THE AMOUNT OF THE MERCHANDISE REFUND WILL BE REDUCED TO REFLECT ANY UNEARNED VALUE. RETURN VALUE OF MERCHANDISE PURCHASED WITH A KOHL’S CASH® COUPON MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT. Coupon is nontransferable. See associate for details. Take an extra 35% off your first Kohl’s Card purchase when you open a Kohl’s Card. Subject to credit approval. Some exclusions may apply. Visit Kohls.com/apply or see associate for details. KOHL’S CARD COUPON valid in store and online. Limit one coupon per customer. DOLLAR-OFF COUPONS, INCLUDING KOHL’S CASH® COUPONS, REWARDS AND PROMOTIONAL GIFTS, WILL BE APPLIED PRIOR TO PERCENT-OFF TOTAL PURCHASE COUPONS. Coupon not valid on the following categories and brands of merchandise: Gift Cards; Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise or other charitable items; select online-exclusives; premium athletic; beauty and fragrance; consumables; Curated by Kohl’s brands; select electrics; premium electronics; premium footwear; select personal care; select novelty gifts; sporting goods; sports team merchandise; premium sunglasses; toys; Wellness Market brands; Columbia; Dyson; select KitchenAid; Koolaburra by UGG; Lands’ End; Levi’s; Lovepop; ScentWorx; S’well; and TOMS. See complete list of exclusions at Kohls.com/exclusions or look for signs in store. Coupon also not valid on price adjustments on prior purchases; payment on a Kohl’s Card account; taxes, shipping and/or handling fees. Subject to credit approval. Reproductions or duplicates not accepted. See associate for details. For program details and full terms, please visit Kohls.com/KohlsRewards. FREE STANDARD SHIPPING COUPON when you spend $75 or more. Based on merchandise totals after transaction coupons and special promotions. Surcharges may apply due to size, weight or special handling required. If your item has a surcharge, it will appear on the product page. Orders will be ready in 1 hour if you place an order prior to 6:00 PM (local time), unless otherwise indicated. Orders placed after 6:00 PM (local time) may not be ready until the following day. Customer will be notified when order is ready for pickup. This mailbox is unattended, so please do not reply to this message. If you no longer wish to receive e-mails from Kohls.com, unsubscribe here. Please allow up to seven days for your e-mail address to be removed. For other inquiries, visit cs.kohls.com, or write us at Kohl’s Department Stores, Attention: Customer Service, N54 W13600 Woodale Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. Find a Kohl’s near you! Was this forwarded from a friend? Click here to sign up and we’ll send Sale Alerts straight to your inbox. You’ll also save 15% on your next purchase in store or online!

Maroon & Gold Illustrated | June 2021

GET CONNECTED Forward to a Friend Change My Email Address Manage My Preferences/Unsubscribe

The RJ Hamster morning Show for Thursday, 17 June…

www.podomatic.com/podcasts/peter-hovis/episodes/2021-06-17T08_56_09-07_00