One of the most interesting parables is part of the three readings assigned for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost which include Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Romans 8:28-39 and Matthew 13:44-52. The text chosen to preach on at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City is Matthew 13:44, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid, and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

The title of the sermon is, “Have You Given Up Enough For the Kingdom of God?” In preaching a radical theology of Law and Gospel, one technique is to go along with the commonsensical interpretation of a passage to make your point with the goal of getting the listeners to be thoroughly confused about their interpretation. This passage is a perfect case in point.

The normal (commonsensical) interpretation is that the kingdom of heaven is such a treasure that one should be willing to give up everything for that kingdom. However, the text is clear that the man ends up purchasing the kingdom which of course no one who is a sinner can possibly afford.

The key to this parable, as is the key to most of the parables, is that Jesus is the real subject of attention. Because the old Adam lives under the Law in wanting to get credit for salvation, it is easy to misinterpret most parables, including this one, to make us the center of attention rather than Jesus.

The fact is that the man does not represent us; the man is none other than Jesus Himself Who buys us not with gold or silver but with His holy blood and innocent suffering and death. The sermon is not about how we do something to get into the kingdom of heaven but rather how His death and resurrection resulted in our being brought into the kingdom of heaven.